The mind that sees its own nature becomes free from all extremes.

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

The Buddha's teaching is a middle way between all extremes, between eternalism and annihilationism, between self-indulgence and self-torture.

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

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

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.

The dharma is not in the books. If you want to find the dharma, look in your mind.

Meditation is the road to happiness.

Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts.

The practice of mindfulness is the practice of being alive in the present moment.

When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick. Every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.

Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.

Peace is not found by changing the world, but by changing your attitude to the world.

To live fully is to let go and die with each step.

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.

Every being has the potential of becoming a Buddha. Our true nature is Buddha nature.

Peace requires us to surrender our illusions of control.

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

The sign of wisdom is constant joy.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.

Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile.

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

Nothing can harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.

Mindfulness is attention to life, and life itself is sacred.

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

The basic idea of Zen is to come in touch with the inner workings of our being, and to do this in the most direct way possible, without resorting to anything external or superadded.

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

When mindfulness is weak, defilements are strong; when mindfulness is strong, defilements are weak.

When you recognize that pain and suffering are impermanent, you become free.

The truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act, not merely to reflect.

The trouble is, you think you have time.

The mind itself is the maker of all happiness and misery; yet beings do not understand this and blame external conditions.

The true understanding is that the practice itself is enlightenment.