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 practice is not about achieving special states but about seeing ordinary experience with extraordinary clarity.

True happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion.

Sticking with uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic—this is the spiritual path.

The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.

There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

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

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.

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

We can learn the art of fierce compassion - redefining strength, deconstructing isolation and renewing a sense of community, practicing letting go of rigid us-vs.-them thinking.

The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. This will give your mind a steadiness and your life a balance.

The rising and falling of the abdomen is not the main object. The main object is to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

The Buddha's teaching is not a philosophical system but a practical guide to living.

When we develop patience, we find that we develop a reserve of calm and tranquility.

Mindfulness is the key to transformation. It enables us to see our experience as it really is, free from distortion and bias.

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

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

The movement of love is what creates the beauty in our lives.

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

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.

The dharma wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither excess nor deficiency. The whole universe is moistened with nectar, and the truth is ready to harvest.

Maintain the state of undistractedness and distractions will fly away.

The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.

Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.

The key to transformation is not to fight with our experience but to open to it with awareness.

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

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

The purpose of meditation is not to create a mental vacuum but to come to know one's own mind.

The zazen I speak of is not meditation practice. It is simply the dharma gate of joyful ease.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be miserable, expect something in return.

The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?

In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals.

The treasure house within you contains everything, and you are free to use it. You don't need to seek outside.

Faith is the firm foundation, diligence the supporting pillar, and wisdom the roof of the house of practice.

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

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 proposes its solution by directly appealing to facts of personal experience and not to book-knowledge.

The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind.

Whoever told you that practice and enlightenment are separate?

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

The purpose of meditation is not to create a new state of mind, but to recognize what is already present.

Our practice cannot be perfect, but without being discouraged by this, we should continue it. This is the secret of practice.

Right practice is steady practice. Whether you feel lazy or diligent, just keep practicing.

Observe the reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.

The whole path of mindfulness is about letting go. We let go of our attachment to our views, our attachment to our opinions, our attachment to our ideas.

Personal experience is everything in Zen. No ideas are intelligible to those who have no backing of experience.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy. This is the goal of Buddhist practice.

The practice of ethics is not about following rules but about developing inner purity and freedom.

The root of all mind is your own present pure awareness. Rest in that essence without seeking elsewhere.

Short moments, many times. That is the essence of meditation practice.

Meditation is not about getting rid of thoughts; it's about changing the way we relate to them.

The true mark of a spiritual practitioner is that your own behavior is better, not that you can criticize others well.

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

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

Meditation is not just about sitting quietly, it's about transforming the mind.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.

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.

It is never too late to turn on the light.