Shambhala teachings say we all have the potential to accomplish our enlightened nature - our basic goodness.

I think there is a tendency for people to become more isolated as they move along a spiritual path. With more development, people get more isolated. Also, as they have more wealth, they get more isolated.

Many of us are slaves to our minds. Our own mind is our worst enemy. We try to focus, and our mind wanders off. We try to keep stress at bay, but anxiety keeps us awake at night. We try to be good to the people we love, but then we forget them and put ourselves first.

In meditation we are continuously discovering who and what we are.

I think we are very environmental people. We need to be supported environmentally. Books very much have that imprint on the mind.

A book very much is the center of the road, so people always can refer back to it.

There is a tendency sometimes within the Shambhala community to make it just about meditating and, so, less about compassion. Shambhala is based upon compassion, but a lot of people come in and say, "I need to get more meditation. I need to do this for me, me, me." That's fine, but the view here is much more societal.