If you put a little pin in the middle and you make a little space, a little circle, then the nature of the mirror shines through. So now you know the mind is not dust, that behind that dust there is this mirror-like nature of the mind, and if it's a big enough hole, you might be so transfixed by the hole you don't notice the rest of the dust.

We have met with the dharma. Many of us have met with teachers. We do have some idea of what to do and how to practice. And we should not be lazy.

We have produced many of our problems through our confused mental states.

I think, for East and West, the first thing we need is a good grounding in basic Buddhadharma.

Realization is wonderful, but you have to expand it until there's not a single defilement left in the mind and the mind is completely open and spacious. Even in that condition, you still use the relative mind. You use them both.

I sometimes feel tremendous compassion and helplessness.

We don't always need to be sitting at the foot of the teacher, but from time to time we need someone who can overview us and give us direction.