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.

Knowledge must be stabilized by meditation. Without meditation, knowledge is like a child in battle.

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

Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile.

Meditation is like catching a fish. If you try to catch it quickly, you'll miss it. If you have patience and know how to wait, the fish will come.

Meditation is not an escape from reality but a way to understand reality as it truly is.

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

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

The most profound meditation is to think nothing at all.

Maintain the state of undistractedness and distractions will fly away.

The mind is like a wild monkey, jumping here and there. But through meditation, we learn to see whatever arises in our mind with more spaciousness and clarity.

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

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

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

When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick. Every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.

The master's introduction is direct recognition of one's own nature. Meditation is maintaining the continuity of this recognition.

The practice of meditation is not about achieving states of bliss but about seeing things as they really are.

The view is like a lion - it cannot be led around by anything else. Meditation is like an eagle - it cannot be distracted by anything else. Action is like a madman - it is free from accepting and rejecting.

The purpose of meditation is to gain right understanding of the true nature of mental and physical phenomena.

The practice of mindfulness is simple: whatever you experience, you observe and note it.

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

Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.

Meditation in the midst of activity is a thousand times superior to meditation in stillness.

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

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

Concentration is a cornerstone of mindfulness practice. Your mindfulness will only be as robust as your capacity to ground your attention in the present moment.

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

Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.

The state of mind that exists when you sit in the right posture is, itself, enlightenment.

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

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.

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

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

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.

Vipassana is the art of living. Not the art of escaping.

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

When thoughts arise, recognize them as the display of your own awareness, like recognizing your own children in a crowd.

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

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

The key to meditation is to recognize the nature of your mind rather than trying to change it.

The purpose of meditation is not to create a new state of mind, but to recognize what is already present.

Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already.

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

Meditation is not about getting rid of thoughts; it's about changing the way we relate to them.

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

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

Meditation is the road to happiness.

Each breath is a new beginning, a fresh opportunity to awaken.

The zazen I speak of is not meditation practice. It is simply the dharma gate of joyful ease.

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.

Concentration and insight are like two wings of a bird: both are necessary for the flight to liberation.

In the gap between thoughts, nonconceptual wisdom shines continuously.

Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking.

The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. This will give your mind a steadiness and your life a balance.

Sleep is the best meditation.

Better to have one moment of genuine meditation than to perform religious activities for a thousand years.

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

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

Meditation is not an escape from life but a way to fully engage with life.

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