Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. John F. Kennedy

We really have to understand the person we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love. Thich Nhat Hanh

In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. Marianne Williamson

Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival. René Dubos

Tolerance is only another name for indifference. W. Somerset Maugham

IMG_0398_1 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Beach yoga. Back bending.

Here is a photograph of Ashtanga yoga master, the late SRI Pattabhi Jois. I believe it was taken in the summer of 2009 (so shortly before he died). I never got to practice yoga with the great man himself, but my own teacher shares so many of her stories about her 30 year friendship with Guruji as he is fondly known. In the photograph you can see the kindness and humour Guruji shared with many. I personally love the hoodie with "guru" on the front of it. This photograph was kindly shared with me by Nick .

It is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read sympathetically the scriptures of the world. If we are to respect others' religions as we would have them respect our own, a friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty. Mohandas K. Gandhi

What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly - that is the first law of nature. Voltaire

The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don't agree with. Eleanor Holmes Norton