The artist's personality, built upon strong desires and compassionate vision, is by its nature prone to depression.

A key to a long, productive writing life is finding ways to support that life, emotionally and existentially.

Dream, but expect nothing. Desire, but expect nothing. Hope, but expect nothing. Release your need to control and gain real control.

If we had the consciousness of a cat or a dog, we would have it in us to become perfect Zen masters. We could gnaw on a bone, take a nap, play with a spider until we killed it, get our litter just right, and be innocently and serenely present. Meaning would mean nothing to us, nor would we need it to mean anything. We would be free, and we would be spared. But, we are human beings, and we posses that odd duck – human consciousness.

Life is too short not to create, not to love, and not to lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters.

Because she favours solitude and indwelling, an artist can live a significantly more claustrophobic life that she had ever intended.

When you consciously decide to breathe more slowly and deeply, you alert your body to the fact that you want it to behave differently. You are not just changing your breathing pattern, you are making a full-body announcement that you are entering into a different relationship with your mind and your body.