always thinks of the other; ego thinks only of oneself. Love is always considerate; ego is absolutely inconsiderate. Ego has only one language and that is of self. Ego always uses the other; love is ready to be used, love is ready to serve.

Zen teaches that our approach to today determines our whole approach to life.

All things reflect the divine energy of nature—every flower, every rock, every sound, every sight. Once we realize that truth, we cannot help but smile.

Put in an honest day's work. It is the building block of a spiritual life.

When mind and action are separate, zen is lost. We keep the two in sync by paying attention.

The further we travel down the path of enlightenment, the more humble we become. We shouldn't seek to impress others—or allow ourselves to be taken—with mere outer trappings. If we do our inner work, our spirit will be our calling card. Nice to meet you.

You can't be more alive than you are—but you can awaken to what living is.