As we follow a genuine path of practice, our sufferings may seem to increase because we no longer hide from them or from ourselves. When we do not follow the old habits of fantasy and escape, we are left facing the actual problems and contradictions of our life.

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.

Knowledge and achievements matter little if we do not yet know how to touch the heart of another and be touched.

It is hard to imagine a world without forgiveness. Without forgiveness life would be unbearable. Without forgiveness our lives are chained, forced to carry the sufferings of the past and repeat them with no release.

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

Tending to ourselves, we tend the world. Tending the world, we tend ourselves.

In this there is no judgment and no blame, for we seek not to perfect the world but to perfect our love for what is on this earth.