We think we need to create ourselves, always doing a paste-up job on our personalities. That is because we're trying to be special rather than real. We're pathetically trying to conform with all the other people trying to do the same.

In every heart there is an inner room, where we can hold our greatest treasures and our deepest pain.

The secret of success is to realize that the crisis on our planet is much larger than just deciding what to do with your own life, and if the system under which we live the structure of western civilization begins to collapse because of our selfishness and greed, then it will make no difference whether you have $1 million dollars when the crash comes or just $1.00. The only work that will ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the healing of the world.

There should be an expanded role in this society for every human being. I see an expanded role for the human spirit, for excellence, for virtue, and for creativity - within women, and within everyone.

My hope is that I'm getting better and wiser. With every book, I have more of myself to pour onto the page.

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.

The pain itself is a product or a reflection of how I am interpreting whatever it is that is causing me pain.