The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.

When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.

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

Panic is a gateway to wisdom. When we learn to stay present with our panic, it becomes our teacher.

There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind.

The highest truth cannot be taught except through the conventional truth.

The practitioner and practice are like fire and wood. The more you practice, the more you burn.

In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived, how well we have loved, how well we have learned to let go.

Metta (loving-kindness) becomes truly effective only when it arises from a peaceful mind, a pure mind, a balanced mind.

We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts.

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

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

The practice of mindfulness begins in the small, remote cave of your unconscious mind and blossoms with the sunlight of your conscious life.

Whatever we do, we should see ourselves. Reading books doesn't show us our defilements. Watch yourself. Watch your mind.

The practice is like peeling an onion. Layer after layer of delusion is removed through continuous mindfulness.

Metta is the ability to embrace all parts of ourselves, as well as all parts of the world.

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

Zen is a way of life, not a theory or a piece of knowledge to be stored away in our minds.

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

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

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

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

Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.

At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully, you will awaken fully.

The practice of Zen mind is beginner's mind. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

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

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Just observe whatever arises. Don't try to create anything, and don't reject anything.

May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

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

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

Every thought, every word, and every action leaves an imprint on our mind.

There are many ways to meditate. But at the heart of them all is mindfulness.

The path is not about moving from one place to another. It's about recognizing where we already are.

The mind has first to be attuned to the Unconscious.

Faith is not a commodity that you either have or don't have - it is an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our own deepest experience.

The true purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.

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

Though the view should be as vast as the sky, keep your conduct as fine as barley flour.

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

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

True happiness is not found through the multiplication of desires but through their simplification.

Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.

Don't be afraid of the future. The future is good.

The purpose of Buddhist practice is not to become a Buddhist but to awaken to the nature of reality.

The art of living... is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.

The way to overcome anger is to be too busy being kind to have time to be angry.

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

This is the real secret of life -- to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.

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

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

Liberation is not found by running away from our experience but by looking deeply into it.

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.

Each moment of mindfulness is a moment of purification.

The past is gone, the future is not yet here. Live in the present moment with awareness.

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

It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

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