Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

The past is just a memory. The future is just a dream. Be here now.

The time of the past becomes the present, the time of the present becomes the future, the time of the future becomes the present, and the time of the present becomes the past.

Recognize the emptiness of all phenomena, but do not become attached to emptiness itself.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.

The zazen I speak of is not meditation practice. It is simply the dharma gate of joyful ease.

Our emotions are like waves in the ocean. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf.

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves.

Zen is a way of life, not a theory or a piece of knowledge to be stored away in our minds.

Change is possible because there is nothing inherently permanent about our disturbing emotions.

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.

To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.

Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.

The water in the ocean can be rough or calm. It can be clear or murky. But the water itself doesn't mind.

The first noble truth of the Buddha is that life contains suffering. The second noble truth is that the cause of suffering is craving.

Where is the place that your original face has not yet emerged?

Appearances are mind, mind itself is emptiness, emptiness itself is spontaneous presence.

The object of meditation and the mind which knows it must be noted as they occur. If they are not noted, desire arises and disturbs concentration.

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

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

When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions.

The six realms of existence are like a dream, why build a prison for yourself?

Expectations are the thieves of joy.

The teaching is simple: act with kindness and compassion. If you cannot do this, at least try not to harm others.

Sticking with uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic—this is the spiritual path.

The restraint of the senses is not a matter of suppression but of wise attention to our experience.

The defilements of the mind are temporary visitors. Pure awareness is your true home.

Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.

The stages of insight unfold naturally when mindfulness is continuous. There is no need to desire them or try to make them happen.

Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.

Happiness is found in the simplest of things. It is not in the things you own, but in the love you share.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.