The technique of self-observation is the technique of observing the reality about oneself at the experiential level.

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.

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

Only one book is worth reading: the heart.

Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink.

Genuine happiness comes from having developed basic human qualities, such as attention, emotional balance, and generosity.

When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.

My religion is to live and die without regret.

Peace requires us to surrender our illusions of control.

Whatever is dependently co-arisen, that is explained to be emptiness. That, being a dependent designation, is itself the middle way.

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

To live – is that not enough? To love – is that not everything?

Misery ceases to exist when we stop reacting to sensations.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

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.

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.

If it isn't good, let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good.

Each moment of clear seeing is a moment of freedom from the illusion of permanence, satisfaction, and self.

Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.

Enlightenment is the realization that we were never really separate from one another or from all of life.

The more we understand impermanence, the more we appreciate each moment of our lives.

The idea of Zen is to catch life as it flows. There is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about Zen. I raise my hand; I take a book from the other side of the desk; I hear the boys playing ball outside my window; I see the clouds blown away beyond the neighboring wood: all these I do in Zen.

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.

Enlightenment is not about becoming divine. Instead, it's about becoming more fully human.

Wherever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything. That is more true than I can say, and more true than you can hear.

In the gap between thoughts, nonconceptual wisdom shines continuously.

The essence of the spiritual journey is the uncovering of what is always already present.

The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort.

The heart of the path is quite simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are.

If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition; if you want to know your future life, look into your present actions.

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

The grass is greener where you water it.