The renowned seventh-century Zen master Seng-tsan taught that true freedom is being "without anxiety about imperfection.

We are waiting for the next moment to contain what this moment does not.

Meditation can change the flavor of the season.

What would it be like if, right in the midst of this busyness, we were to consciously take our hands off the controls? What if we were to intentionally stop our mental computations and our rushing around and, for a minute or two, simply pause and notice our inner experience?

When you are in touch with your body and heart, it allows you to then be in the world and act with intention and clarity and kindness.

Whatever you encounter, may that be part of the path.

I mentioned earlier the two wings of awareness. The first step is recognizing the fear of getting close to others - this honest witnessing of where it is in the body, where it is in your beliefs.The other wing regards what's seen with kindness and compassion.