When you engage in compassion, and you hear a distressing sound, like someone calling for help, there is an activation in an area of the brain called the insular, which has to do with empathy and altruism, that is vastly more activated than in non-meditators.

The basic root of happiness lies in our minds; outer circumstances are nothing more than adverse or favourable.

In the freshness of the present moment, past is gone, future is not yet born, and—if one remains in pure mindfulness and freedom—disturbing thoughts arise and go without leaving a trace. That is basic meditation.

Anyone can be happy by simply training their brain.

Placebos are like the lollipop of optimism, but we can do much better by dealing directly with the mind... And it works!

Confidence is closely linked to how well our perceptions match reality

We do all kinds of things to remain beautiful. Yet, we spend surprisingly little time taking care of what matters most - the way our mind functions.