Ethical conduct is not a constraint upon our freedom but a condition of our freedom.

The signs of practice are not in extraordinary experiences but in extraordinary awareness of ordinary experiences.

The past is just a memory. The future is just a dream. Be here now.

Those who cling to perceptions and views wander the world offending people.

The experience of emptiness engenders compassion.

Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already.

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.

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

This is the real secret of life -- to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.

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

The teaching is simple: act with kindness and compassion. If you cannot do this, at least try not to harm others.

The grass is greener where you water it.

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

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.

The practice of vipassana is the study of the self. When you study physical and mental phenomena, you are studying the truth about yourself.

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.

The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is not to be well known, cited, or powerful.

Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher.

Moment after moment, completely devote yourself to listening to your inner voice.

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.

Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

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

Try to be mindful and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool.

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

The affairs of the world will go on forever. Do not delay the practice of meditation.

The practice of meditation is not about achieving states of bliss but about seeing things as they really are.

To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.

When both body and mind are at peace, all things appear as they are: perfect, complete, lacking nothing.

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.

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

Where there is great doubt, there is great awakening; small doubt, small awakening; no doubt, no awakening.

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