Train your mind the same way you’d train a puppy: Be patient, be consistent, and have some fun along the way.

With mindfulness, we are learning to observe in a new way, with balance and a powerful disidentification.

Buddhists were actually the first cognitive-behavioral therapists.

No amount of meditation, yoga, diet, and reflection will make all of our problems go away, but we can transform our difficulties into our practice until little by little they guide us on our way.

In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this is. We can touch with great compassion the pain from the contracted identities that we and others have created in the world.

Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions create problems. Considered responses bring peace. With a peaceful heart whatever happens can be met with wisdom...Peace is not weak; it is unshakable.

Without being aware of it, you take many things as being your identity: your body, your race, your beliefs, your thoughts.