Quotes from Dzogchen Ponlop

Even in our own lives, there are times when we want something so much that we cannot let go of the thought of it. Whether that is an object, a person or a state of mind, whatever it is, we long for it, but it remains out of reach. Then, at the very point where we totally give up and let go of it, we get what we have been wishing for.

When we begin to genuinely appreciate the illusory, dreamlike nature of our waking experiences, we are starting to mix those appearances with the appearances of our nighttime dreams. We are bringing those two states closer together.

When you have no hope, you have nothing to fear, nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing to lose.

Transcendent generosity is simply a willingness to be open and do whatever is necessary in the moment, without any philosophical or religious rationale. Seeing someone in need, you're willing to share your wealth, your happiness, or your wisdom, and you're also willing to share in the pain of others. Yet when you give, you need to do so with the awareness that your gift will be both appropriate and helpful.

In the beginning, our one-pointed focus on our goal of personal freedom is necessary; however, if carried to extremes, it can also lead to a kind of narrow-mindedness and sense of claustrophobia.

Buddhism is primarily a study of mind and a system for training the mind. It is spiritual in nature, not religious. Its goal is self-knowledge, not salvation; freedom, not heaven. It relies on reason and analysis, contemplation and meditation, to transform knowledge about something into knowledge that surpasses understanding. But without your curiosity and questions, there is no path, no journey to be taken, even if you adopt all the forms of the tradition.

For any kind of mindfulness training to work for you, you have to be present in your life. That includes being present—mind and body—when your emotions are stirring things up. That's when you want to be clear about your thoughts, and clear about what you see, hear, and feel. That's when mindfulness really becomes your greatest friend.

We can also lose our way if we misunderstand selflessness or emptiness. When we confuse relative reality with ultimate reality, or misinterpret ultimate reality as something that destroys the conventional world, then we fall into the trap of the nihilists who see no meaning or purpose in life. Then our view of emptiness is inspired by sadness and depression, and it becomes just another tool to shut everything down. Instead of looking at the world with joy, we see it as hopeless.

You'll never find just emptiness or just compassion alone. On this elemental level, they are never divorced. It's a somewhat romantic image—this universe of space and energy as passionate, loving, and selfless all at once.

never give up on anyone. Even if you can't help someone now, don't abandon him or her mentally or close the door to your heart. That is the direct word of the Buddha, our ancient revolutionary friend, and if you forget it, you'll hear it again from the mouth of the rebel buddha you're living with right now.

However, whatever your own path is, wherever it takes you, there is one instruction you should protect and always carry with you: never give up on anyone. Even if you can't help someone now, don't abandon him or her mentally or close the door to your heart. That is the direct word of the Buddha, our ancient revolutionary friend, and if you forget it, you'll hear it again from the mouth of the rebel buddha you're living with right now.

Maybe you think you can wake up 50 percent, just enough to get beyond the "crazy" stage but not all the way to "wisdom." However, it's not the message of the Buddha or the intention of Buddhism to provide a partial recovery from confusion. The message of the Buddha is that you're awake now and that you can, if you apply yourself, realize it.

We can give ourselves a little love and compassion, especially in hard times. Of course, we think of others, too, but we won't have much compassion to give others if we're not being kind to ourselves.

Kindness is not always about saying yes or giving out compliments. But in whatever way it's expressed, kindness never undermines or denigrates. Its message is always, Whatever you're going through right now, it's all right to be you—to be who you are.

The Three-Step Emotional Rescue Plan described in this book isn't about having a perfect life or even a completely pain-free life. In the end, life is still life, with all of its challenges, mysteries, comedies, and tragedies. Some days may be stormier than others, but you know that sunshine will follow the blustery weather.

You're not wearing rose-colored glasses—you can see challenges very clearly. But instead of only focusing on how hard it all is, you see possibility and potential within the intense energy of your emotions: anger's brilliant clarity; jealousy's content and generous heart; attachment's pure love and compassion.

So when emotions come up, mind the gap. First feel them, then hold still without reacting, and then look—look at the gap.