The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.
Our capacity to make peace with another person and with the world depends very much on our capacity to make peace with ourselves.
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.
If you think that peace and happiness are somewhere else and you run after them, you will never arrive.
If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.
We really have to understand the person we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love.
We can help many people suffer less and realize a lot of happiness without being rich or influential. If love and compassion are in out hearts, every thought, word, and deed can bring about a miracle.
To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.
Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves.
I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.
Total relaxation is the secret to enjoying sitting meditation. I sit with my spine upright, but not rigid; and I relax all the muscles in my body.
If we know how to create the energy of love, understanding, compassion, and beauty, then we can contribute a lot to the world.
The greatest of all miracles is to be alive.
Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
If you abandon the present moment, you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.
You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.
Compassion is a verb.
It is my conviction that there is no way to peace – peace is the way.
If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.
The heart of the matter is always our oneness with divine spirit, our union with all life.