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.

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

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

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

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

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

Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us.

Study the Buddha's teaching which is present in every moment.

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.

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.

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.

As surely as there is a voyage away, there is a journey home.

The path to liberation is a gradual path of self-discipline, self-development, and self-transformation.

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

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

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

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

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.

The noting mind and the object noted appear to occur as a pair. Through concentration they are seen to arise and vanish together.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Buddhist practice is not to eliminate life's problems but to grow with them patiently and with compassion.

When you note effectively, there is no time for defilements to arise. The mind becomes pure through noting.

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

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

Meditation is not about getting away from it all. It's about getting into it all.

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.

Meditation is not about trying to change your experience; it's about changing your relationship to your experience.

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

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

The truth of suffering is not to be feared but to be understood through direct observation.

Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don't try to figure anything out. Don't try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.

When things fall apart and we're on the verge of we know not what, the test of each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize.

We can learn to be present with whatever is happening in our lives, and in this way, we can begin to transform our relationship to difficulty.

The signs of practice are not in extraordinary experiences but in extraordinary awareness of ordinary experiences.

As a flower that is lovely and beautiful, but is scentless, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practice it.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.

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

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

Maintain the state of undistractedness and distractions will fly away.

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

Concentration develops naturally through continuous noting. Don't try to force concentration to arise.

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

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

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

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

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.

The practice of meditation is like learning to play an instrument - it takes patience, regular practice, and a gentle touch.

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.

When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions.

Genuine happiness comes from having developed basic human qualities, such as attention, emotional balance, and generosity.

When you practice zazen you should not try to attain anything. You should just sit in the complete calmness of your mind and not rely on anything.

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

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

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

The more we witness our emotional reactions and understand how they work, the easier it is to refrain.

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

The best way to solve a problem is to help someone else solve their problem.

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

When both body and mind are at peace, all things appear as they are: perfect, complete, lacking nothing.