When we feel left out, inadequate, or lonely, can we take a warrior’s perspective and contact bodhichitta?

As Buddhism moved to the West, one of the big characteristics was the strong place of women. That didn't exist in the countries of origin. It's just a sign of our culture.

Meditation takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete acceptance of ourselves as we are is called maitri, or unconditional friendliness, a simple, direct relationship with the way we are.

Patience is not learned in safety.

It isn't the things that happen to us in our lives that cause us to suffer, it's how we relate to the things that happen to us that causes us to suffer.

Suffering begins to dissolve when we can question the belief or the hope that there's anywhere to hide.

Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.