The emotional wisdom of the heart is simple. When we accept our human feelings, a remarkable transformation occurs. Tenderness and wisdom arise naturally and spontaneously. Where we once sought strength over others, now our strength becomes our own; where we once sought to defend ourselves, we laugh.

Compassion arises naturally as the quivering of the heart in the face of pain, ours and another's. True compassion is not limited by the separateness of pity, nor by the fear of being overwhelmed. When we come to rest in the great heart of compassion, we discover a capacity to bear witness to, suffer with, and hold dear with our own vulnerable heart the sorrows and beauties of the world.

We must especially learn the art of directing mindfulness into the closed areas of our life.

The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all around them.

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.

Whatever we cultivate in times of ease, we gather as strength for times of change.

We must look at our life without sentimentality, exaggeration or idealism. Does what we are choosing reflect what we most deeply value?