When hearing a door creak, the optimist thinks it's opening and the pessimist thinks it's closing.

A big part of pain is the subjective reaction of trying to revolt against pain. If it's there, it's better to deal with it. Most of it is "I cannot stand it," and that component is enhancing pain so much.

The ultimate reason for meditating is to transform ourselves in order to be better able to transform the world or, to put it another way, to transform ourselves so we can become better human beings in order to serve others in a wiser and more efficient way. It gives your life the noblest possible meaning.

We have known about the placebo effect for many years. This is a remarkable effect - placebo can cure 30 percent in many cases.

Empathy is the faculty to resonate with the feelings of others. When we meet someone who is joyful, we smile. When we witness someone in pain, we suffer in resonance with his or her suffering.

There is definitely openness to others' suffering that is dealt not with distress but with compassion.

Let us live simply in the freshness of the present moment, in the clarity of pure awakened mind.