Maybe the most important teaching is to lighten up and relax. It's such a huge help in working with our crazy mixed-up minds to remember that what we're doing is unlocking a softness that is in us and letting it spread. We're letting it blur the sharp corners of self-criticism and complaint.

If seeing that other person's pain brings up your fear or anger or confusion (which often happens), just start doing tonglen for yourself and all the other people who are stuck in the very same way.

The essence of our whole path is in that place of discomfort, and what do we do with it?

At some point, we realize that what we do for ourselves benefits others, and what we do for others benefits us.

Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth

Every moment is unique, unknown, completely fresh.

The third noble truth says that the cessation of suffering is letting go of holding on to ourselves.