The mind is the root from which all things grow. If you can understand the mind, everything else is included.

Our basic nature is pure awareness that simply cognizes experience. Everything else is temporary and adventitious.

The essence of Buddhist practice is to bring everything onto the path. Every experience becomes an opportunity for awakening.

The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.

Whatever we do, we should see ourselves. Reading books doesn't show us our defilements. Watch yourself. Watch your mind.

Start from where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

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

In Zen there must be satori; there must be a general mental upheaval which destroys the old accumulations of intellection and lays down the foundation for a new life.

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.

When I run from suffering, it follows me. When I face suffering with equanimity, it runs from me.

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

The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.

The purpose of a spiritual discipline is to give us a way to stop the war, not by our force of will, but through understanding and through letting go.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

The realization of impermanence leads not to despair but to a deeper appreciation of the preciousness of each moment.

Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. Let him find pleasure therein, for blissful is the accumulation of good.

The sign of wisdom is constant joy.

Although all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, they function perfectly well.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

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

Everybody has the light of Buddha within, but they don't look for it.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

We practice to learn how to let go, not how to increase our holding on to things.

Meditation is not an escape from reality but a way to understand reality as it truly is.

The development of insight is gradual, but the realization of truth is sudden.

When one sees with wisdom that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, one is liberated from suffering.

To live fully is to let go and die with each step.

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are not our thoughts.

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

Every intelligent individual wants to know what makes him tick, and yet is at once fascinated and frustrated by the fact that oneself is the most difficult of all things to know.

Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken! Take heed, do not squander your life.

Meditation in the midst of activity is a thousand times superior to meditation in stillness.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.