When mindfulness becomes continuous, the distinction between the observer and the observed begins to break down.

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.

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.

Awareness is the basis, or what you might call the "support," of the mind. It is steady and unchanging, like the pole to which the flag of ordinary consciousness is attached.

Meditation is not about trying to change ourselves. Meditation is about being aware of what is.

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

Mindfulness is the gentle effort to be continuously present with experience.

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

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

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

Mindfulness is the key to the present moment. Without it we cannot see the world clearly, and we cannot make the wisest choices in our lives.

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

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

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.

Mindfulness is the quality and power of mind that is aware of what's happening—without judgment and without interference.

Past thoughts are traceless, clear, and empty. Future thoughts are unborn and fresh. The present moment abides naturally and unconstructed.

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

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

Smile, breathe, and go slowly.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

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

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

The color of the mountains is Buddha's body; the sound of running water is his great speech.

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.

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.

The art of living... is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment, in regarding it as utterly new and unique, in having the mind open and wholly receptive.

Life is nothing but a continuous chain of sensations. Pleasant or unpleasant, observe them objectively.

The whole path of mindfulness is about letting go. We let go of our attachment to our views, our attachment to our opinions, our attachment to our ideas.

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

The awareness that you are here, right now, is the ultimate fact.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

The difference between misery and happiness depends on what we do with our attention.

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

The real purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.

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

Our task is to learn to see clearly what is happening in each moment, rather than be lost in our reactions and judgments.

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

Every moment of mindfulness is a step on the path to liberation. Each step is valuable, no matter how small.

When you note pain, you are not trying to make it go away. You are trying to understand its true nature.

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.

Whatever we do, we should see ourselves. Reading books doesn't show us our defilements. Watch yourself. Watch your mind.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.

Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.

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

No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.

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

The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.

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

When mindfulness is weak, defilements are strong; when mindfulness is strong, defilements are weak.

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.

Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.

The key to transformation is not to fight with our experience but to open to it with awareness.

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

When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.

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

Life is available only in the present moment.