If we're not open to losing, we're not open to loving.

Stories about ourselves and about the world continually arise in our minds and shape our beliefs about reality.

People have to find their rhythm. Some people have need for more contact and time together and some people need more space.

I think the reason Buddhism and Western psychology are so compatible is that Western psychology helps to identify the stories and the patterns in our personal lives, but what Buddhist awareness training does is it actually allows the person to develop skills to stay in what's going on.

True refuge is that which allows us to be at home, at peace, to discover true happiness. The only thing that can give us true refuge is the awareness and love that is intrinsic to who we are. Ultimately, its our own true nature.

No matter what feeling comes up - numbness, irritability, shame - if I let it arise and play itself through, I naturally open into wakefulness and care.

It is through realizing loving presence as our very essence, through being that presence, that we discover true freedom.