As Buddha points out, you should not rely on the opinions of others for validation of your internal progression.

Look at how beautiful life is, and just keep looking until you see it. You don't see what is in front of you because you're so distracted by your thoughts.

The operative condition on this particular planet, the central mode which human beings follow, is fear. We are taught to fear.

Opinions are secondary when dealing with reality. They're subjective reflections.

Most people put the cart before the horse, which is an interesting way to go through life. They approach everything directly. In Zen we approach everything backwards or inside out.

There is a whole crazy world around you. You can't control it, so don't even try. Because the more you try to control your environment, the more it controls you.

When we are very young children we know how to feel. It's innate. But as we lead a lifetime, we pick up so many thoughts, impressions, feelings, and ideas, that our sensitivity goes away.