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.

It is the basic principle of spiritual life that we learn the deepest things in unknown territory. Often it is when we feel most confused inwardly and are in the midst of our greatest difficulties that something new will open. We awaken most easily to the mystery of life through our weakest side. The areas of our greatest strength, where we are the most competent and clearest, tend to keep us away from the mystery.

Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.

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

Letting go does not mean not caring about things. It means caring about them in a flexible and wise way.

There is beauty to be found in the changing of the earth’s seasons, and an inner grace in honouring the cycles of life.

As desire abates, generosity is born. When we are connected and present, what else is there to do but give?