It is in Zen practice that you gain power, balance and wisdom. The battles that you fight are within your own mind. That is where the real victories and defeats are.

A surfer is poised on a wave on his board, cutting quickly to the left. He'll always be there, in that moment. He's never left it. He had no birth, he didn't go to school, he didn't purchase the board; none of those things ever were.

So, those who hate, those who are violent in nature, live in a world of hate and fear and violence inside themselves, inside their minds, inside their awareness.

If you are afraid of someone, you immediately give them an advantage and give them entry to your awareness field.

The next best thing is to work with those who are not quite there yet to bring them up to that level.

If you can't feel grateful, if you're discouraged or depressed, then think of the fact that things could be a lot worse than they are.

Most people lead their lives like they drive their cars.