Seeing that nothing is solid or permanent you begin to make yourself at home in the unknown.

What good are thoughts and emotions-in fact all of our experiences-if not to increase our realization?

Humour allows us to see that ultimately things don't make sense. The only thing that truly makes sense is letting go of anything we continue to hold on to. Our ego-mind and emotions are a dramatic illusion. Of course, we all feel that they're real: my drama, your drama, our confrontations. We create these elaborate scenarios and then react to them. But there is nothing really happening outside our mind! This is karma's cosmic joke. You can laugh about the irony of this, or you can stick with your scenario. It's your choice.

The experience of emptiness is not found outside the world of ordinary appearance, as many people mistakenly assume. In truth, we experience emptiness when the mind is free of grasping at appearance.

Thoughts and emotions will always arise.

A mantra is like meeting the Buddha or Bodhisattva himself.

Melting our attachment to self is the most powerful medication for bringing mental and emotional imbalances in check.