The awareness that you are here, right now, is the ultimate fact.

When we understand that peace is not dependent on external conditions, we can find it in the midst of any circumstance.

Mindfulness is the gentle effort to be continuously present with experience.

When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help.

Change is the nature of every phenomenon. Accept this truth and you will live a happy life.

True happiness is not found through the multiplication of desires but through their simplification.

Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.

The deepest form of happiness comes from discovering the natural peace of our own awareness.

When you look deeply into your anger, you will see that the person you call your enemy is also suffering. As soon as you see that, the capacity for accepting and having compassion for them is there.

Don't be afraid of the future. The future is good.

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

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

Panic is a gateway to wisdom. When we learn to stay present with our panic, it becomes our teacher.

External phenomena are like a dream, whatever appears is not real. Recognize the nature of dream-like phenomena to be dream-like.

Be happy at the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.

Devotion is the head of meditation, as is often said. When you are inspired by some spiritual teacher, you can have a very strong connection with that person, and thereby the blessings can enter.

The essence of mind is empty like space; yet it contains all things, like a mirror.

What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.

The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.

Few among men are they who cross to the further shore. The others merely run up and down the bank on this side.

The Buddha's teaching is a teaching of self-reliance, of being one's own master, one's own refuge.

Love is the wish that others be happy, and compassion is the wish that they be free from suffering.

Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.

Many people think excitement is happiness... But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.

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

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

The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.

All beings by nature are Buddha, as ice by nature is water. Apart from water there is no ice; apart from beings, no Buddha.

There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind.

Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.

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.