Sometimes the easiest way to appreciate ourselves is by looking through the eyes of someone who loves us.

Observing desire without acting on it enlarges our freedom to choose how we live.

Emotions are the interaction of thoughts and of sensations in the body.

Awakening self-compassion is often the greatest challenge people face on the spiritual path.

Unless we're completely awake, have a degree of that. We tense against love and hold on in a way that doesn't let it flow. When that's really strong, the key piece to freeing our hearts is self-compassion.

There are some things we can't choose, but in being present we can choose how we want to relate to them

The great gift of a spiritual path is coming to trust that you can find a way to true refuge. You realize that you can start right where you are, in the midst of your life, and find peace in any circumstance. Even at those moments when the ground shakes terribly beneath you—when there’s a loss that will alter your life forever—you can still trust that you will find your way home. This is possible because you’ve touched the timeless love and awareness that are intrinsic to who you are.