Our emotions are like waves in the ocean. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced mind that sees things clearly without reaction.

The willingness to empty ourselves and then seek our true nature is an expression of great and courageous love.

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.

Self-awareness is the key to freedom. The more we understand ourselves, the more we understand how to be free.

In meditation, we're not trying to get rid of thoughts but to recognize their true nature.

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

Time passes unhindered. When we make ourselves better, we make the world better.

Moment after moment, completely devote yourself to listening to your inner voice.

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

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.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

The cultivation of loving-kindness is the thread that runs through all Buddhist teachings.

Zen teaches nothing; it merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points.

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention.

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.

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

The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced state of mind.

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

The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.

Kindness is the solution to all of life's problems.

It is never too late to turn on the light.

The cave I live in is empty and so is my mind. I live simply and at ease.

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.

Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.

Do not mistake understanding for realization, and do not mistake realization for liberation.

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

Our defilements are like tame tigers. If you feed them, they're tame. If you stop feeding them, they'll eat you up.

External seeking only leads to exhaustion. When you imitate others, you lose your own authenticity.

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

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

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

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

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

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 goal of meditation is not to achieve a blank mind, but to gain insight into the nature of mind itself.

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

The precious pot containing my riches becomes my teacher in the very moment it breaks.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.

When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.

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

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer stinginess with giving. Conquer deceit with truth.

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

Mindfulness is not just bare attention but wise attention that leads to understanding and insight.

Maintain the state of undistractedness and distractions will fly away.

The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.

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

When we recognize that our thoughts are just thoughts, we can choose whether or not to follow them.

The moment you note a thought, it disappears. The noting mind keeps the hindrances away.

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