Big messages come in small packages. All it may take to restore someone's trust in life may be returning a lost earring or a dropped glove.

Befriending life is less a matter of knowledge than a question of wisdom. It is not about mastering life, controlling it or exerting our will over it, no matter how well intentioned our will may be. Befriending life is more about harmlessness than it is about control.

Our listening creates a sanctuary for the homeless parts within another person.

One of my patients told me that when she tried to tell her story people often interrupted her to tell her that they once had something just like that happen to them. Subtly her pain became a story about themselves. Eventually she stopped talking to most people. It was just too lonely. We connect through listening. When we interrupt what someone is saying to let them know that we understand, we move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen, they know we care. Many people with cancer talk about the relief of having someone just listen.

I think ideas only lead to change for intellectual people; and not even them. What really leads to change is experience. Life itself is the teacher.

Sooner or later we will come to the edge of all that we can control and find life, waiting there for us.

Religion is a bridge to the spiritual, but the spiritual lies beyond religion.