In all ten directions of the universe, there is only one truth. When we see clearly, the great teachings are the same. What can ever be lost? What can be attained? If we attain something, it was there from the beginning of time. If we lose something, it is hiding somewhere near us."

If you’re sad about something and you just accept it, you don’t have to not be sad, as evidence that you’re accepting it....There’s nothing wrong with being a dog and barking and being frustrated. And what’s wrong with throwing yourself at your life?

If in the deepest place within you, you want and desire Truth above all else, even though you go astray in a thousand different ways, you will find yourself somehow, again and again, being brought back to what is True.
And if you do not want and desire Truth above all else, well, you already know what that leads to.

I want to sing like the birds sing
Not worrying about who hears or what they think.

I walk into what light there is.

I meditate because evolution gave me a big brain, but it didn't come with an instruction manual.
I meditate because life is too short and sitting slows it down.
I meditate because life is too long and I need an occastional break.
I meditate because it's such a relief to spend time ignoring myself.
I meditate because I'm building myself a bigger and better perspective, and occasionally I need to add a new window.

I live in the open mindedness of not knowing enough about anything.

But your solitude will be your home and haven even in the midst of very strange conditions, and from there you will discover all your paths.

How amazing. All living beings have the Buddha nature of awakening and freedom, yet they do not realize this. Unknowingly they wander on the oceans of suffering for lifetimes. It is time to realize your own Buddha nature.

Having developed a sense of trust in oneself, slowly that expands its expression outward, and the world becomes a friendly world rather than a hostile world. You could say that you have changed the world: you have become the king or queen of the universe. On the other hand, you can’t quite say that, because the world has come towards you, to return your friendship.

Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law.

Generosity takes many forms; we may give our time, our energy, our material possessions, our love. All are expressions of caring, of compassion, of connection, and of renunciation—the ability to let go. The beauty of generosity is that it not only brings us happiness in the moment—we feel good when we give—but it is also the cause for happiness to arise in the future.

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached.

First we feel. Then we fall.

Every day you play with the light of the universe.

Empty-handed I entered the world.
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going
Two simple happenings
that got entangled.

Each quantum event, each of the trillions of times reality's particles interact with each other every instant, is like a note that rings and resonates throughout the great bell of creation. and the sound of the ringing propagates instantaneously, everywhere all at once, interconnecting all things. This is a truth of our universe. It is a mystical truth, that reality at its deepest level is an undivided wholeness.

But do not ask me 
where I am going 
as I travel in this 
limitless world 
where every step I take 
is my home.

Do you have doubts about life? Are you unsure if it is really worth the trouble? Look at the sky: that is for you. Look at each person's face as you pass them on the street: those faces are for you. And the street itself, and the ground under the street and the ball of fire underneath the ground: all these things are for you. They are as much for you as they are for other people. Remember this when you wake up in the morning and think you have nothing. Stand up and face the east. Now praise the sky and praise the light within each person under the sky. It's ok to be unsure. But praise, praise, praise.

One who is awakened to the Tao doesn’t need any encouragement to be compassionate. I sometimes hear people say that they believe everything about Buddhism, but they just can’t be so compassionate. They all have this idea that being compassionate means crying about every little thing that’s even remotely sad or touching. That is not compassion; that is some sort of imbalance of the nervous system or weak liver or kidney energy which causes one to easily feel moved or shed tears. One with real compassion and bodhicitta has hoary eyebrows and fiery eyes. Compassion and bodhicitta are the might and ire of a great king who brings peace to the land. In the language of those who worship the Immortals, it is called “inside saint, outside king.” Such a one has the heart and wisdom of a saint but functions in the world as a king or great leader. In Buddhism, the heart or substance is Tao, enlightenment, prajna, and so forth. Bodhicitta functions in the world as great compassion, loving all beings and helping to liberate all beings. It is not sitting all alone in a temple in the woods or being completely aloof from all others.