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.

Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer, see it, know it, be empty.

Mindfulness is being aware of what's going on, not trying to control what's going on.

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

The Buddha's teaching challenges us to master the art of living, to live in a way that leads to the extinction of suffering.

Meditation is not an escape from life but a way to fully engage with life.

Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.

The more precisely you note, the more clearly you understand. The more clearly you understand, the stronger your insight becomes.

Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.

If you want to understand suffering, you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there.

The path is the goal. Every step of the journey is the journey.

If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence.

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

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.

The four foundations of mindfulness are not separate practices but different aspects of the same practice of clear awareness.

The goal of meditation is not to reach some highest place, but to remain in the place where you already are.

The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.

Meditation is like catching a fish. If you try to catch it quickly, you'll miss it. If you have patience and know how to wait, the fish will come.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.

Every sensation shares the same characteristic - arising, passing. Arising, passing. Learn to observe objectively.

Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.

The only way to experience truth is to look within, to observe oneself.

Whatever is happening is the path to enlightenment.

The supreme path is not to fabricate anything. The supreme meditation is not to be distracted.

Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken! Take heed, do not squander your life.

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

Technical knowledge is not enough. One must transcend techniques so that the art becomes an artless art, growing out of the unconscious.

The essence of Buddhism is not a belief system but a systematic investigation of our experience.

The Buddha taught us to leave alone the things that don't lead to awakening.

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

Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone.

Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don't try to figure anything out. Don't try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.

The measure of success in spiritual life is how peaceful you are.

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

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

The view is like a lion - it cannot be led around by anything else. Meditation is like an eagle - it cannot be distracted by anything else. Action is like a madman - it is free from accepting and rejecting.

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.

Anxiety and excitement are the same emotion. The only difference is our attitude toward the experience.

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

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.

Concentration develops naturally through continuous noting. Don't try to force concentration to arise.

Better to have one moment of genuine meditation than to perform religious activities for a thousand years.

In the moment of love, awareness is very strong. Use that awareness, that strength of consciousness, to look into yourself.

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

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.

When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions.

The deepest happiness comes from having an enduring sense of purpose, one that gives our lives meaning beyond the endless pursuit of pleasure and success.

Every moment is a fresh beginning. Every breath is a new chance.

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

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

Our task is not to seek for love but to find all the barriers within ourselves that we have built against it.

The most important thing in life is to know death is coming and to prepare for it.

Compassion is a verb.

Understanding at the intellectual level is not enough. There must be experience at the actual level.

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.