On a relative level where we live, we need to have a sense of identity, otherwise we'd fall apart, wouldn't we?

The world is full of incredible people who are embodiments of compassion. Some of them have a spiritual path; some of them don't.

The Buddha himself said, "I still use conceptual thinking, but I'm not formed by it." And that's the Buddha.

Perhaps Westerners are in a better position to practice true renunciation than uneducated Orientals because most Western people, by the time they come to the Dharma, have led a pretty full worldly life with lots of sensual pleasures, money and lots of toys to play with. They have seen that the path of accumulation of worldly treasure does not lead to happiness or contentment. That's why they come to the Dharma.

With sincerity from the depths of your heart to do the best you can, just keep going and don't worry too much that you're not Milarepa or Rechungpa.

Nowadays, mindfulness has become a catch-all word, but the general principle of trying to be more conscious and aware in our daily life is very important. Along with this, it's helpful to contemplate some of the mind training verses which are designed to take and transform all of the problems we experience.

There are wonderful beings in this world.