In sitting on the meditation cushion and assuming the meditation posture, we connect ourselves with the present moment in this body and on this earth.

Gratitude is confidence in life itself. In it, we feel how the same force that pushes grass through cracks in the sidewalk invigorates our own life.

Through practice, gently and gradually we can collect ourselves and learn how to be more fully with what we do.

Though outer events may be difficult, the key to our happiness is how our mind responds to them.

We are awakened to the profound realization that the true path to liberation is to let go of everything.

We need courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit. But the place for this warrior strength is in the heart. We need energy, commitment, and courage not to run from our life nor to cover it over with any philosophy-mate rial or spiritual. We need a warrior’s heart that lets us face our lives directly, our pains and limitations, our joys and possibilities.

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