“We work on ourselves in order to help others, but also we help others in order to work on ourselves.”

Let difficulty transform you. And it will. In my experience, we just need help in learning how not to run away.

So war and peace start in the human heart. Whether that heart is open or whether that heart closes has global implications.

Anything we experience, no matter how challenging, can become an open pathway to awakening.

Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing.

Whatever happens in your life, joyful or painful, do not be swept away by reactivity. Be patient with yourself and don’t lose your sense of perspective.

All the wars, all the hatred, all the ignorance in the world come out of being so invested in our opinions.

We have a choice. We can spend our whole life suffering because we can’t relax with how things really are, or we can relax and embrace the open-endedness of the human situation, which is fresh, unfixated, unbiased.

The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.

Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?

The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment.

If you follow your heart, you’re going to find that it is often extremely inconvenient.

It isn’t what happens to us that causes us to suffer; it’s what we say to ourselves about what happens.

As our kindness for ourselves grows, so does our kindness for other people.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

The future is completely open and we are writing it moment to moment.

So many of us start along the spiritual path because we are suffering. But you must realize that for real healing to occur, there must first be deep compassion for yourself, especially the parts of yourself you dislike or consider ugly.

You don’t have to be stupid to be a Christian, but it probably helps.

I give a portion of my time to helping others. It is good for my own health.

Leaders who refuse to listen, will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing helpful to say.

Nothing one does in bed is immoral if it helps to perpetuate love.

Lord Help the Mister that comes between Me and My Sister.

No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal.

People help you or you help them and when we offer or receive help, we take in each other. And then we are saved.

Even the places we used to visit in this empty town feel lyrical. My heart can’t help but sing along even now, but I’m tired.