How do we cultivate the conditions for joy to expand? We train in staying present.

All the terrible things we do to ourselves and others from alcoholism to character assignation to abuse to murder come from one cause: the inability to stay present with an uncomfortable feeling in the body and seek short-term relief.

Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they are intimate with fear.

When we sit down to meditate, we connect with something unconditional - a state of mind, a basic environment that does not grasp or reject anything. Meditation is probably the only activity that doesn't add anything to the picture. Everything is allowed to come and go without further embellishment. Meditation is a totally nonviolent, non aggressive occupation. Not filling the space, allowing for the possibility of connecting with unconditional openness - this provides the basis for real change.

Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts. Each time we drop our complaints and allow everyday good fortune to inspire us, we enter the warrior's world.

This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted and shaky - that's called liberation.

Clarity and decisiveness come from the willingness to slow down, to listen to and look at what’s happening.