If you work with your mind, that will alleviate all the suffering that seems to come from the outside.

By the way that we think and by the way that we believe in things, in that way our world is created.

The root of compassion, is compassion for oneself.

If there's any possibility for enlightenment, it's right now, not at some future time. Now is the time.

This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it's with us wherever we go.

If we begin to get in touch with whatever we feel with some kind of kindness, our protective shells will melt, and we'll find that more areas of our lives are workable. AS we learn to have compassion for ourselves, the circle of compassion for others-what and whom we can work with, and how-becomes wider.

To stay with that shakiness-to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge-that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic-this is the spiritual path.