If the mind is not contrived, it is spontaneously blissful, just as water, when not agitated, is by nature transparent and clear.

The spiritual journey is one of continuous learning and purification. When you know this, you become humble.

Once an old woman came to Buddha and asked him how to meditate. He told her to remain aware of every movement of her hands as she drew the water from the well, knowing that if she did, she would soon find herself in that state of alert and spacious calm that is meditation.

We must never forget that it is through our actions, words, and thoughts that we have a choice.

At the moment of death, there are two things that count: whatever we have done in our lives, and what state of mind we are in at that very moment. Even if we have accumulated a lot of negative karma, if we are able to make a real change of heart at the moment of death, it can decisively influence our future, and transform our karma, for the moment of death is an exceptionally powerful opportunity to purify karma.

The key to finding a happy balance in modern lives is simplicity.

The future is very much in our hands--in our actions.