What's encouraging about meditation is that, even if we shut down, we can no longer shut down in ignorance. We see very clearly that we're closing off. That in itself begins to illuminate the darkness of ignorance.

Inner #‎ peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your #‎ emotions

The only way to ease our pain is to experience it fully. Learn to stay with uneasiness, learn to stay with the tightening, so that the habitual chain reaction doesn't continue to rule your life.

WE ALREADY HAVE everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves—the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we so dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the addictions of all kinds—never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Tonglen practice begins to dissolve the illusion that each of us is alone with this personal suffering that no one else can understand.

Use what seems like poison as medicine. Use your personal suffering as the path to compassion for all beings.