Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings.

Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

Better to have one moment of genuine meditation than to perform religious activities for a thousand years.

The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.

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

Study the Buddha's teaching which is present in every moment.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer stinginess with giving. Conquer deceit with truth.

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

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.

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

The whole path of mindfulness is about letting go. We let go of our attachment to our views, our attachment to our opinions, our attachment to our ideas.

Compassion is not just about being kind to others. It's about being kind to ourselves as well.

The most profound meditation is to think nothing at all.

In true vipassana practice, there is no room for likes and dislikes. There is only observation.

The practice of mindfulness is simple: whatever you experience, you observe and note it.

Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.

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

Meditation is not about trying to change your experience; it's about changing your relationship to your experience.

The Buddha taught that wealth does not bring happiness and security. The pursuit of wealth is a matter of living in balance.

The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem.

Panic, anxiety, and stress are not obstacles to the practice. They are the path to wisdom and compassion.

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

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

The practice of meditation requires both energy and patience, both effort and relaxation.

No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.

The dharma is not about collecting more beliefs but about becoming free from the power of belief itself.

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

We can learn to be present with whatever is happening in our lives, and in this way, we can begin to transform our relationship to difficulty.

Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.

Mindfulness is the quality and power of mind that is aware of what's happening—without judgment and without interference.

The Buddha's teaching challenges us to master the art of living, to live in a way that leads to the extinction of suffering.

The everyday practice is simply to develop complete acceptance and openness to all situations and emotions.

The Buddha's teachings are not about abandoning our lives but about bringing the fullness of our attention to our lives.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

The law of nature is the law of cause and effect. As you sow, so shall you reap.

Self-awareness is the key to freedom. The more we understand ourselves, the more we understand how to be free.

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

The practitioner and practice are like fire and wood. The more you practice, the more you burn.

Each of you is perfect the way you are... and you can use a little improvement.

Mindfulness is the key to the present moment. Without it we cannot see the world clearly, and we cannot make the wisest choices in our lives.

The force of the kindness of others is so strong, we can't possibly measure it.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.

When we look directly at our thoughts, they dissolve like bubbles in water.

If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything.

The obstacle is the path.

Buddhist practice is not to eliminate life's problems but to grow with them patiently and with compassion.

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

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

Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.

We need to learn to let our emotions pass through us like waves, without getting caught in their undertow.

Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

The dharma wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither excess nor deficiency. The whole universe is moistened with nectar, and the truth is ready to harvest.

Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.

Short moments, many times. That is the essence of meditation practice.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy. This is the goal of Buddhist practice.

The practice of Dharma is a constant battle within oneself.

May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

In my youth I studied, in my prime I practiced, now all my doubts are cleared.