Yet I knew that spiritual practice is impossible without great dedication, energy, and commitment.

It is the place of feeling that binds us or frees us.

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.

Our ideas of self are created by identification. The less we cling to ideas of self, the freer and happier we will be.

We each need to make our lion's roar - to persevere with unshakable courage when faced with all manner of doubts and sorrows and fears - to declare our right to awaken.

...Spiritual opening is not a withdrawal to some imagined realm or safe cave. It is not a pulling away, but a touching of all the experience of life with wisdom and with a heart of kindness, without any separation.

Everyone and everything is in some degree or other our teacher.