The greatest of all miracles is to be alive.

Enlightenment for a wave is the moment the wave realizes it is water. At that moment, all fear of death disappears.

Anger is like a flame blazing up and consuming our self-control, making us think, say, and do things that we will probably regret later.

When you look deeply into your anger, you will see that the person you call your enemy is also suffering. As soon as you see that, the capacity of accepting and having compassion for them is there.

The present moment is the only moment available to us and it is the door to all other moments.

It is possible to live happily in the here and now. So many conditions of happiness are available-more than enough for you to be happy right now. You don't have to run into the future in order to get more.

Meditation is to be aware of what is going on - in our bodies, in our feelings, in our minds, and in the world. Each day...children die of hunger.... Yet the sunrise is beautiful, and the rose that bloomed this morning along the wall is a miracle. Life is both dreadful and wonderful. To practice meditation is to be in touch with both aspects. Please do not think we must be solemn in order to meditate. In fact, to meditate well, we have to smile a lot.