When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick. Every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.

External seeking only leads to exhaustion. When you imitate others, you lose your own authenticity.

Mindfulness helps us get better at seeing the difference between what's happening and the stories we tell ourselves about what's happening.

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.

Those who grasp at things as truly existent are like someone trying to catch the reflection of the moon in water.

All that appears and exists, all of samsara and nirvana, has one ground, two paths, and two results. This is the magical display of awareness and unawareness.

Smile, breathe, and go slowly.

The first step toward faith is to admit that we don't know everything.

When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.

The nature of mind is like a mirror. It is not affected by whatever appears in it, yet it never fails to reflect everything perfectly.

Enlightenment is not the end of change but the end of resistance to change.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

When things fall apart and we're on the verge of we know not what, the test of each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize.

The Buddha's teaching is not a philosophy or a religion; it is a method of practice.

The mind is like a room with many windows. Open them all and let the fresh air in.

A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

The root of suffering is resisting the certainty that no matter what the circumstances, uncertainty is all we truly have.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.

Without darkness, there is no light. Without the path, there is no arrival.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.

Enlightenment is not about becoming something special, but about realizing what we already are.

Meditation is not an escape from life but a way to fully engage with life.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

When you note effectively, there is no time for defilements to arise. The mind becomes pure through noting.

The trouble is, you think you have time.

When concentration is developed, wisdom arises. When wisdom arises, one becomes disenchanted with the five aggregates.

The more you give, the more you have. That's the economics of kindness.

The way is basically perfect. It is not a matter of practice or enlightenment.

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce.

Right practice is steady practice. Whether you feel lazy or diligent, just keep practicing.

Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.

Not knowing how near the truth is, we seek it far away.