There’s a big difference between being able to explain religion intellectually and transforming that knowledge into spiritual experience.
Examine your own mental attitudes. Become your own therapist.
No matter how confused or deluded we may be at the moment, the underlying and essential nature of our being is clear and pure.
At certain times, a silent mind is very important, but ‘silent’ does not mean closed. The silent mind is an alert, awakened mind; a mind seeking the nature of reality.
Just the idea that you are religious doesn’t help at all. It does not help you; it does not help others. In order to really help others, you need to gain knowledge-wisdom.
We completely deny the existence of a self-existent I, or a permanent, independent soul. Every aspect of your body and mind is impermanent: changing, changing, changing...
Buddhist meditation doen’t necessarily mean sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed. Simply observing how your mind is responding to the sense world as you go about your business – walking, talking, shopping, whatever – can be a really perfect meditation and bring a perfect result.
Your mind is your religion.
It’s not just philosophy, not just words; it’s knowing how the mind functions; only then can you develop loving-kindness; only then can you become a spiritual person.
One action produces a reaction; that is karma.
First of all, merely by living a simple life with a heart dedicated to overcoming self-cherishing, we automatically benefit others.
Be wise. Treat yourself, your mind, sympathetically, with loving kindness. If you are gentle with yourself, you will become gentle with others.
Be blissful and enjoy your life; do not let yourself become obsessed with anything. Determine to use the rest of your life to benefit others as much as possible.
If you expect your life to be full of ups and downs, then your mind will be much more peaceful.
Meditation is the way we realize the nature of the mind.
When a strong wind blows, the clouds vanish and blue sky appears. Similarly, when the powerful wisdom that understand the nature of the mind arises, the dark clouds of ego disappear.
Some children are wiser than adults.
Knowing your own mind is the solution to all our problems.
Don’t think that examining and knowing the nature of your mind is just an Eastern trip. That’s a wrong conception. It’s your trip.
The narrow mind rejects; wisdom accepts.