The yogi's joy is in the solitude of mountains, where all distractions naturally dissolve into emptiness.

The practice of Zen is forgetting the self in the act of uniting with something.

The true person is not anyone in particular. But like the deep blue color of the limitless sky, it is everyone, everywhere in the world.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals.

Meditation is not about trying to change ourselves. Meditation is about being aware of what is.

The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.

The experience of emptiness engenders compassion.

The past is for learning from, not for living in.

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

Concentration and insight are like two wings of a bird: both are necessary for the flight to liberation.

The practice of mindfulness begins in the small, remote cave of your unconscious mind and blossoms with the sunlight of your conscious life.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

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

When mindfulness and concentration are strong, insight into the three characteristics naturally unfolds.

When the heart is still, it can be kind. When the mind is still, it can see clearly.

When you realize the emptiness of all phenomena, compassion will arise in your heart for all sentient beings who do not understand this truth.

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

The essence of Buddhism is not a belief system but a systematic investigation of our experience.

The key to meditation is to recognize the nature of your mind rather than trying to change it.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

Generosity generates its own enthusiasm. We don't have to force ourselves to be generous; we just need to start.

Nothing can harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.

My religion is to live and die without regret.

Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.

The real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.

Our own life has to be our message.

Sensations are not your enemy. They are your teacher. Through observing them, you understand the truth of existence.

The eye with which I see Buddha is the same eye with which Buddha sees me.

When mindfulness is weak, defilements are strong; when mindfulness is strong, defilements are weak.

Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone.