The problem is that our inherent ignorance keeps us in samsara and unable to benefit ourselves and others on a really deep level.

There are wars, there's pestilence, there are plagues, there is corruption in religious circles, corruption in the government, when was it not?

Western Tibetan Buddhists are always looking out there at the distant snow peaks and they lose the flowers along the path.

It's interesting to see people's projections because one lives very much in the world of projections.

All of the external circumstances and the rude and difficult people we meet, instead of getting angry, upset, or frustrated, we see that we can take them all and use them on the path in a way that actually invigorates and strengthens us, rather than defeats us. It's all very practical advice, and that's why I talk a lot about how to make our daily life into Dharma practice, otherwise it's easy to feel hopeless and helpless.

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

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.