Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings.

The object of meditation and the mind which knows it must be noted as they occur. If they are not noted, desire arises and disturbs concentration.

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.

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

The development of wisdom does not occur in isolation but requires the cultivation of the entire Noble Eightfold Path.

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

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

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

Instead of having a deep understanding of the teaching, we need a strong confidence in our teaching, which says that originally we have Buddha nature.

Do everything with a mind that lets go. Don't accept praise or gain or anything else. 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.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

The trouble is, you think you have time.

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

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

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

The practice of mindfulness leads naturally to concentration. Concentration leads naturally to wisdom.

The essence of Buddhist practice is to bring everything onto the path. Every experience becomes an opportunity for awakening.

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

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

In the monastery of your body, the monk of your mind must stay in retreat.

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

Every moment of confusion is also a moment of wisdom, if we can learn to recognize it.

Compassion is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

The technique of self-observation is the technique of observing the reality about oneself at the experiential level.

The heart of one who practices is like the earth. No matter what they throw on it, the earth remains unchanged.

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.

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.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

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

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.

Meditation is not about escaping from difficulty but about meeting it with awareness.

Should you desire the great tranquility, prepare to sweat white beads.

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

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

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

In true vipassana practice, there is no room for likes and dislikes. There is only observation.

The archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him. This state of unconsciousness is realized only when, completely empty and rid of the self, he becomes one with the perfecting of his technical skill.

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

The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.

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

Mindfulness means keeping one's consciousness alive to the present reality.

The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.

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.

The best way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous. Then they will be in control in a wider sense.

The essence of Buddhist practice is to reduce our selfishness and to work for the benefit of others.

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

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

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

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

Mind training is based on the idea that two opposite mental factors cannot happen at the same time.

The idea of Zen is to catch life as it flows. There is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about Zen. I raise my hand; I take a book from the other side of the desk; I hear the boys playing ball outside my window; I see the clouds blown away beyond the neighboring wood: all these I do in Zen.

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.

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

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

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

It is never too late to turn on the light.

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

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

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

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