When you have learned compassion for yourself, compassion for others is automatic.

You can't ever get everything you want. It is impossible. Luckily, there is another option: You can learn to control your mind, to step outside of the endless cycle of desire and aversion.

Each step along the Buddha's path to happiness requires practising mindfulness until it becomes part of your daily life.

Pain is inevitable, suffering is not.

But look within and watch the stuff coming up-restlessness, anxiety, impatience, pain-just watch it come up and don't get involved. Much to your surprise, it will simply go away. It rises, it passes away. As simple as that. There is another word for self-discipline. It is patience.

No matter how hard you pursue pleasure and success, there are times when you fail. No matter how fast you flee, there are times when pain catches up with you.

You can learn not to want what you want, to recognize desires but not be controlled by them.