There is a story in Zen circles about a man and a horse. The horse is galloping quickly, and it appears that the man on the horse is going somewhere important. Another man standing alongside the road, shouts, «Where are you going?» and the first man replies, «I don't know! Ask the horse!» This is also our story. We are riding a horse, and we don't know where we are going and we can't stop. The horse is our habit energy pulling us along, and we are powerless.

To be free, first of all, is to be free from wrong views that are the foundation of all kinds of suffering and fear and violence.

Simple practices like conscious breathing and smiling are very important. They can change our civilization.

You are not an observer, you are a participant.

The Buddha said that if we know how to look deeply into our suffering and recognize what feeds it, we are already on the path of emancipation.

You are like fireworks. You go out into your children, your friends, your society, and the whole world.

When you feel anger arising, remember to return to your breathing and follow it. The other person may see that you are practicing, and she may even apologize.