Meditation is evolution's strategy to bring out our full potential.

The two wings of mindfulness and kindness will begin to open the heart to more connection with our world.

Most of us grew up with a very damaging story that something is wrong with us. Gradually - or as in my case, suddenly - we become resolved not to believe this anymore. It takes a dedicated practice to follow up on that resolution, because the conditioning is very strong to keep generating self-demeaning stories.

By regarding ourselves with kindness, we begin to dissolve the identity of an isolated, deficient self. This creates the grounds for including others in an unconditionally loving heart.

If attachment then carries forward in a way that's not healthy, we need to let it be there without making it wrong and bring as compassionate and honest attention to it as possible. Honor that this is part of being human, but it's important to know when it's getting in the way.

Along with judging myself harshly, I'd also always seen the truth of goodness in me.

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