We do look for inspiration amongst our own sex. Why not? You go into temples and they're full of all the lineage lamas who are male. What message does that give to a young girl, except that somehow she got trapped in the wrong body because of bad things she did in a past life?

The real spiritual power is enabling beings to realize the nature of the mind. That's the power of Buddha activity.

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

In our endless past lives, we've all done everything, you name it, we've done it. Good, bad, intermediate.

The first thing is to learn how to quiet the mind, relax the mind, and bring the awareness to the front so that we are conscious of what we're doing when we're doing it without all the commentary.

As my lama always told me, I learned that I practice better when I'm by myself.

I think if you really start practicing, the energy comes. I was always very happy and grateful for the opportunity to have the time, solitude and good health to be able to do it.