It is only when we begin to relax with ourselves that meditation becomes a transformative process. Only when we relate with ourselves without moralizing, without harshness, without deception, can we let go of harmful patterns. Without maitri (metta), renunciation of old habits becomes abusive. This is an important point.

Compassionate action starts with seeing yourself when you start to make yourself right and when you start to make yourself wrong. At that point you could just contemplate the fact that there is a larger alternative to either of those, a more tender, shaky kind of place where you could live.

Let difficulty transform you. And it will. In my experience, we just need help in learning how not to run away.

When you have made good friends with yourself, your situation will be more friendly too.

I'm here to tell you that the path to peace is right there, when you want to get away.

There's nothing more important on our spiritual path than developing gentleness to oneself.

According to the Buddhist belief, you can go on and on indefinitely, so you see your life as just a brief moment in time.