Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future; in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come into the present is to stop the war.

We as human beings have the amazing capacity to be reborn at breakfast everyday and say, “This is a new day.”

Peace requires us to surrender our illusions of control.

As we encounter new experiences with a mindful and wise attention, we discover that one of three things will happen to our new experience: it will go away, it will stay the same, or it will get more intense. whatever happens does not really matter.

May I be given the appropriate difficulties so that my heart can truly open with compassion. Imagine asking for that.

The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.

Expressing gratitude to our benefactors is a natural form of love. In fact, some people find loving kindness for themselves so hard, they begin their practice with a benefactor. This too is fine. The rule in loving kindness practice is to follow the way that most easily opens your heart.