When I'm attached, I find that I don't see the other person as clearly because I'm more caught up in what I'm wanting.

If [kids] get into loving relationships, they're afraid they'll be found wanting, won't have the looks or body shape our culture deems worthy. Many of us feel we're falling short and if we start feeling close to another person, that we'll be found out and rejected.

In any moment, no matter how lost we feel, we can take refuge in presence and love. We need only pause, breathe, and open to the experience of aliveness within us. In that wakeful openness, we come home to the peace and freedom of our natural awareness.

I knew I could hold myself with that absolute love and compassion.

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.

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

There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.