True happiness is born of letting go of what is unnecessary.

Hope and fear come from feeling that we lack something; they come from a sense of poverty. We can't simply relax with ourselves. We hold on to hope, and hope robs us of the present moment.

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

The purpose of meditation is to gain right understanding of the true nature of mental and physical phenomena.

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

Time passes unhindered. When we make ourselves better, we make the world better.

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

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.

The obstacle is the path.

Sankharas are the seeds of consciousness that manifest as sensations. By observing sensations equanimously, we stop creating new sankharas.

The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.

Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.

Through violence, you may solve one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

The most important factor in achieving happiness is the mind. Happiness and suffering are mental states and therefore depend on the mind.

Love is not a feeling. It's a capability.

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

Insight knowledge comes from direct experience, not from intellectual understanding.

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

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

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different.

As a flower that is lovely and beautiful, but is scentless, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practice it.

The nature of life is change. The nature of change is painful. The nature of pain is temporary.

The key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

When you practice zazen you should not try to attain anything. You should just sit in the complete calmness of your mind and not rely on anything.

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

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

The defilements of the mind are temporary visitors. Pure awareness is your true home.

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

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.