If you don't find that people find you're easier to live with than you were before, if you don't find that your heart is feeling warmer toward others and if your negative emotions are not getting any better, then there's something wrong. That is always the touchstone of the Dharma practice.

I think many monks hesitate to change things.

People talk over and over about bodhichitta, but so often their heart is quite cold.

I do think that someone who decides to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual life, that that is more meritorious.

To become effortless takes a lot of effort. It's good to compare it to learning an instrument or learning a sport.

In the very deep darkness of this world, little pinpoints of light show up very brightly and can shine a long way.

Don't be thinking that this lama over there is giving better teachings or that this lama over here is giving more secret initiations. Leave that. Just keep the practice very simple, try to stay in the moment and try to stay mindful.