Recovery begins with embracing our pain and taking the risk to share it with others. We do this by joining a group and talking about our pain.

Children are natural Zen masters; their world is brand new in each and every moment.

The foundation for our self-image is grounded in the first three years of life. It comes from our major caretaker's mirroring.

Children are curious and are risk takers. They have lots of courage. They venture out into a world that is immense and dangerous. A child initially trusts life and the processes of life.

The most paradoxical aspect of neurotic shame is that it is the core motivator of the superachieved and the underachieved, the star and the scapegoat, the righteous and the wretched, the powerful and the pathetic.

Healthy shame is an emotion that teaches us about our limits. Like all emotions, shame moves us to get our basic needs met.

To truly be committed to a life of honesty, love and discipline, we must be willing to commit ourselves to reality.