The pursuit of enlightenment is for the purpose of the world, not merely for the purpose of the individual. Practices for enlightenment must lead to action in the world.

I always tell people that if you get upset over what someone says, imagine him or her with a clown's nose on and you won't get so angry.

In every area, working with what you habitually reject is one of the best ways to facilitate growth and transformation.

We're creating a little niche for ourselves instead of working the whole canvas.

When we don't ask, we don't let others give. When we fear rejection, we don't let generosity arise.

I always have this red nose in my pocket, and if it looks like I'm taking things too seriously, or the person I'm talking to is taking them too seriously, I put the nose on. It doesn't matter what we're doing or talking about, it doesn't matter if we agree or disagree, the nose changes everything.

When we bear witness, when we become the situation - homelessness, poverty, illness, violence, death - the right action arises by itself. We don't have to worry about what to do. We don't have to figure out solutions ahead of time. Peacemaking is the functioning of bearing witness. Once we listen with our entire body and mind, loving action arises.