A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the 'Universe',
a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts
and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical
delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for
us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few
persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this
prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures
and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this
completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part
of the liberation and a foundation for inner security. - New York
Post, 28 November 1972
