Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.

Resistance to unwanted circumstances has the power to keep those circumstances alive and well for a very long time.

Resisting what is happening is a major cause of suffering.

Use your life to wake you up.

If you follow your heart, you're going to find that it is often extremely inconvenient.

Most of us do not take these situations as teachings. We automatically hate them. We run like crazy. We use all kinds of ways to escape - all addictions stem from this moment when we meet our edge and we just can't stand it. We feel we have to soften it, pad it with something, and we become addicted to whatever it is that seems to ease the pain.

If it's painful, you become willing not just to endure it but also to let it awaken your heart and soften you. You learn to embrace it.