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

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.

Every sensation shares the same characteristic - arising, passing. Arising, passing. Learn to observe objectively.

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

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

Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.

When we rest in awareness, we discover a peace that is always present, regardless of circumstances.

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.

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

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

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

The quality of every moment depends on the state of our minds.

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

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.

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

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.

In the spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon; in the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter, snow will accompany you. If useless things do not hang in your mind, any season is a good season for you.

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.

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

Our basic nature is pure awareness that simply cognizes experience. Everything else is temporary and adventitious.

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

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

Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.

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

When you see forms or hear sounds fully engaging body-and-mind, you intuit dharma intimately.

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

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

The difference between being caught in thoughts and being mindful of thoughts is like the difference between being in a movie and watching a movie.

The five aggregates are not a theoretical model but a description of lived experience to be investigated through mindfulness.

Smile, breathe, and go slowly.

Impermanence, suffering, and non-self are not philosophical concepts but realities to be directly perceived through mindfulness practice.

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

Be happy at the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.

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

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

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.

The Buddha's teachings are not about abandoning our lives but about bringing the fullness of our attention to our lives.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.

Each moment of mindfulness is a moment of purification.

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

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea in my tearoom I am swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my lifting the bowl to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?

The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another.

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

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

Each moment of noting is a moment of purification, a moment of cultivating the path.

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

Try to be mindful and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool.

The practice of mindfulness is the practice of being alive in the present moment.

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

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.

Through continuous mindfulness practice, the true nature of physical and mental phenomena becomes clear.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.

Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer, see it, know it, be empty.

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

Sensations are not your enemy. They are your teacher. Through observing them, you understand the truth of existence.

One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.

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

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

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