By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness of mind, spontaneity, simplicity, altruism: all qualities inherent in happiness.

We deal with our mind from morning till evening, and it can be our best friend or our worst enemy.

Imagine a ship that is sinking and needs all the available power to run the pumps to drain out the rising waters. The first class passengers refuse to cooperate because they feel hot and want to use the air-conditioner and other electrical appliances. The second-class passengers spend all their time trying to be upgraded to first-class status. The boat sinks and the passengers all drown. That is where the present approach to climate change is leading.

Confidence is closely linked to how well our perceptions match reality

Genuine fearlessness arises with the confidence that we will be able to gather the inner resources to deal with any situation that comes our way.

If there is a remedy or a cure, a solution to a problem or difficulty, why worry?

We try to fix the outside so much, but our control of the outer world is limited, temporary, and often, illusory.