The greatest obstacle to meditation is our expectation about what it should be.

Be a lamp unto yourself. Work out your liberation with diligence.

The more you meditate, the more you understand yourself and the better friend you become to yourself.

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

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

The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person's suffering and bring that person joy.

Where is the place that your original face has not yet emerged?

Panic, anxiety, and stress are not obstacles to the practice. They are the path to wisdom and compassion.

Karma is not fate but the law of moral causation, showing us that we are the architects of our own destiny.

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.

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

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

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

Liberation is found in the practice, not in the theory.

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.

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

The great gift of meditation is that it returns us to the simplicity of our own being.

The most important things in our practice are our physical posture and our way of breathing.

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.

When mindfulness and concentration are strong, insight into the three characteristics naturally unfolds.

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

The mind is like a room with many windows. Open them all and let the fresh air in.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

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.

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

The practice of mindfulness is simply to bring awareness to what we are doing, what we are saying, and what we are thinking.

The true path is not difficult; just avoid picking and choosing.

The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves.

Compassion is a verb.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

The Buddha's path is not about becoming somebody different but about becoming more and more who you really are.

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are not our thoughts.

The perfect moment is this one, not the one you're waiting for.

Like a fine flower, beautiful to look at but without scent, fine words are fruitless in a man who does not act in accordance with them.

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

Generosity generates its own enthusiasm. We don't have to force ourselves to be generous; we just need to start.

The practice of mindfulness transforms the mind from a place of suffering into an instrument of enlightenment.

The practice of meditation is like tuning an instrument. Too tight, and the strings break. Too loose, and they won't play.

The yogi's joy is in the solitude of mountains, where all distractions naturally dissolve into emptiness.

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

The mind has first to be attuned to the Unconscious.

You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.

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

Ethical conduct is not a constraint upon our freedom but a condition of our freedom.

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

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

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

Don't be a bodhisatta; don't be an arahant; don't be anything at all. Being something makes you suffer.

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

Don't expect or desire anything. Just keep noting whatever arises in the present moment.

The practice of metta begins with oneself, for only when we have developed loving-kindness towards ourselves can we truly offer it to others.

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

The practice of meditation requires both energy and patience, both effort and relaxation.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

Mindfulness isn't difficult, we just need to remember to do it.

The affairs of the world will go on forever. Do not delay the practice of meditation.

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.

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

Mindfulness is being aware of what is happening right now, without wishing it were different.