When you learn an instrument, it takes an awful lot of time to just learn the scales, and then eventually when you have completely mastered the instrument, the music plays for you. But you still have to keep practicing. And it takes an awful lot of practice. Nonetheless, if you diligently practice, hours and hours and hours and hours, you probably won't get it. You'll probably just end up hurting your fingers.

In Dharma practice, the most important thing is to be very sincere.

My mother's love was really not based on attachment. Her love was genuine love. To make me happy, not how I will make her happy.

We only think about the difficult people and the horrible things that happen. That's what gets all the media attention.

It's important to lighten up a bit!

If we could turn around and stand back, then we would see the whole complete pattern. And therefore what we have to do in this lifetime is to perfect this pattern, so that it will continue a most beautiful pattern next time and next time and next time and next time because we vowed until samsara is empty! Now, that's going to be a long time, so you'd better get prepared for the long haul, and the best way to do that is to really prepare yourself as much as possible in this lifetime, and not waste your opportunities so that we can genuinely benefit beings, endlessly, endlessly, endlessly.

We should develop a deep appreciation for all the we have, and not waste it, otherwise we'll die with deep regrets.