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

Never underestimate the desire to bolt.

The first noble truth of the Buddha is that when we feel suffering, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. What a relief.

Finding the courage to go to the places that scare us cannot happen without compassionate inquiry into the workings of ego... Openness doesn't come from resisting our fears but from getting to know them well.

As each breath goes out, let it be the end of that moment and the birth of something new. . .

The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment.

When things are shaky and nothing is working, we might realize that we are on the verge of something. We might realize that this is a very vulnerable and tender place, and that tenderness can go either way. We can shut down and feel resentful or we can touch in on that throbbing quality. (9)