Perhaps losing integrity with yourself is the greatest stress of all, far more hurtful to us than competition, time pressure, or lack of respect. Our vitality is rooted in our integrity. When we do not live in one piece, our life force becomes divided. Becoming separated from our authentic values may weaken us.

Belief traps or frees us.

When we are seen by the heart we are seen for who we are. We are valued in our uniqueness by those who are able to see us in this way and we become able to know and value ourselves.

Suffering shapes the life force, sometimes into anger, sometimes into blame and self-pity. Eventually it may show us the wisdom of embracing and loving life.

The choice people have to make is never between slavery and freedom. We will always have to choose between slavery and the unknown.

It has been said that sometimes we need a story more than food in order to live. p 374

When we know ourselves to be connected to all others, acting compassionately is simply the natural thing to do.