When there’s a disappointment, I don’t know if it’s the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure.
There’s something delicious about finding fault with something. And that can be including finding fault with one’s self, you know?
A heartfelt sense of aspiring cuts through negativity about yourself; it cuts through the heavy trips you lay on yourself.
That nothing is static or fixed, that all is fleeting and impermanent, is the first mark of existence. Everything is in process.
Determination means to use every challenge you meet as an opportunity to open your heart and soften, determined to not withdraw.
Ego is something that you come to know – something that you befriend by not acting out or by repressing all the feelings that you feel.
It’s important to remember, when we’re out there aggressively working for reform, that, even if our particular issue doesn’t get resolved, we are adding peace to the world. We have to do our best and at the same time give up all hope of fruition.
Life is like that. We don’t know anything. We call something bad; we call it good. But really we just don’t know.
The idea is to develop sympathy for your own confusion.
All ego really is, is our opinions, which we take to be solid, real, and the absolute truth about how things are.
Being preoccupied with our self-image is like being deaf and blind. It’s like standing in the middle of a vast field of wildflowers with a black hood over our heads. It’s like coming upon a tree of singing birds while wearing earplugs.
As Buddhism moved from one culture to another, it always adapted.
As Buddhism moved to the West, one of the big characteristics was the strong place of women. That didn’t exist in the countries of origin. It’s just a sign of our culture.
If you’re invested in security and certainty, you are on the wrong planet.
Each time you stay present with fear and uncertainty, you’re letting go of a habitual way of finding security and comfort.
At some point, we realize that what we do for ourselves benefits others, and what we do for others benefits us.
Patience takes courage. It is not an ideal state of calm. In fact, when we practice patience we will see our agitation far more clearly.
Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?
Until we stop clinging to the concept of good and evil, the world will continue to manifest as friendly goddesses and harmful demons.
The most complete and true happiness comes in moments when you feel right there, completely present, with no ideas about good and bad, right and wrong – just a sense of open heart and open mind.