The spiritual journey begins with the recognition that beneath our surface happiness there lies a deep inner pain.

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves.

The path of practice moves from faith through understanding to direct realization.

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

The mind is intrinsically empty. It's empty of all that we perceive as being intrinsically "me" and "mine."

Enlightenment is not a state of perfection but of authenticity.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

The Buddha and all sentient beings are nothing but expressions of the one mind. There is nothing else.

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

People who study a lot but don't practice are like a ladle in a soup pot. It's in the soup every day, but it doesn't know the taste of the soup.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

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

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.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

In true vipassana practice, there is no room for likes and dislikes. There is only observation.

When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

Live in joy, in love, even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled. Look within, be still.

The Buddha taught that wealth does not bring happiness and security. The pursuit of wealth is a matter of living in balance.

Each moment of mindfulness is a moment of purification.

Start from where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Those who grasp at things as truly existent are like someone trying to catch the reflection of the moon in water.

The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal.

Through continuous mindfulness practice, the true nature of physical and mental phenomena becomes clear.

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

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

When you walk in the mist, you get wet.

The knowledge of dissolution comes when you see both the noting mind and noted object dissolving together.

We need the courage to learn from our experience and the wisdom to be willing to change and grow.

When walking, just walk. When sitting, just sit. Above all, don't wobble.

Life is like a cup of tea. It's all in how you make it.

The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.