The contradiction so puzzling to the ordinary way of thinking comes from the fact that we have to use language to communicate our inner experience, which in its very nature transcends linguistics.

There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.

The Noble Eightfold Path is a path of training: training in ethical conduct, training in mental discipline, and training in wisdom.

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

The more you understand yourself, the more you understand the world.

All that appears and exists, all of samsara and nirvana, has one ground, two paths, and two results. This is the magical display of awareness and unawareness.

True peace comes not from controlling the world, but from letting go of control.

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.

When you recognize that pain and suffering are impermanent, you become free.

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

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced state of mind.

When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help.

To see directly is to be free of hope and fear. Hope and fear are like a cloud before the sun.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

Although all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, they function perfectly well.

The measure of success in spiritual life is how peaceful you are.

Every experience is an opportunity to practice awareness.

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

To understand everything is to forgive everything.

Not by hatred is hatred conquered, but by love alone. This is an eternal law.

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

When we recognize that our thoughts are just thoughts, we can choose whether or not to follow them.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

The Dhamma is not a collection of doctrinal formulas but a path leading to direct insight into the nature of reality.

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

Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person.

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.

Liberation is found in the practice, not in the theory.

We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts.

Change is the nature of every phenomenon. Accept this truth and you will live a happy life.

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

The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel.

Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks.

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

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

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

The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves.

The path to liberation is through understanding the true nature of mind and matter through direct observation.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.

Enlightenment is the realization that we were never really separate from one another or from all of life.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.

My religion is to live and die without regret.

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce.

Enlightenment is not a state of perfection but of authenticity.

A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.

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

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

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

The obstacle is the path.

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

When concentration is developed, wisdom arises. When wisdom arises, one becomes disenchanted with the five aggregates.

Panic is a gateway to wisdom. When we learn to stay present with our panic, it becomes our teacher.

If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition; if you want to know your future life, look into your present actions.

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

The key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion.

The three characteristics - impermanence, suffering, and non-self - are not philosophical concepts but aspects of experience to be directly observed.

The path to liberation requires both understanding and practice, both pariyatti and patipatti.

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