Quotes from David Michie

the principle of karma, the law of cause and effect. There can be no effect, such as success, without a cause.

Yes, dear reader, that's the other reason we cats purr. Arguably, it's the most important reason: to make you happy. Purring is our V—our way of reminding you that you are loved and special, and that you should never forget how we feel about you, especially when you're vulnerable.

You don't need any special ability to care for the well-being of others. Anyone can practise generosity, giving support to those around us.

Compassion is the wish to relieve beings of suffering.

Attachment is when we believe that a person, a thing or an outcome is necessary for our happiness

First, people were not thinking about what they were doing 47 per cent of the time. Second, people were unhappier when their minds were wandering than they were not. And third, what people were thinking was a better predictor of their happiness than what they were doing.

For a moment, all that remained lit was a solitary gold lotus flower—the Buddhist symbol of transcendence, renunciation, and hope—on the front of the temple. It floated on the unseen surface of an ocean of shadow.

The greatest obstacle to our own happiness, she tells us, is too much thinking.

renunciation is the start of our inner journey. Instead of fixating on external circumstances, we look within.

Lotus plants grow in poor conditions. Their roots are in the mud, sometimes dirty swamps. But they rise above that. Their flowers are very beautiful. Sometimes when we have problems we, too, can use our difficulties to create something we may not even have considered before. We can turn our suffering into the cause of extraordinary growth.

Energy is not created or destroyed. Because consciousness is energy, it, too, is never destroyed. It changes form, yes, but it's always there and always has been there.

As I was discovering, even the most powerful first impressions could mask a very different truth.

The more we let go, the more peace here." He touched his heart.

when I meet people—business leaders, entertainers, and others—they tell me that what seemed to be the worst thing that could ever happen to them turned out, with the benefit of hindsight, to be the very best.

The best use for these methods is in our practice of Dharma. That is how they evolved. When we begin our journey with renunciation, we accept that our happiness, our wellbeing, is dependent not so much on circumstances, as on our mind. We decide to turn away from the true causes of our unhappiness, which is, say, our attachment or anger, and instead cultivate more beneficial mental states. We take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, yes?

Like depression, loneliness arises from unhappiness creating thoughts feeding into the insula, deepening the negative spiral of thoughts and feelings.

If daylight belongs to the dogs, then we cats are creatures of the night. We are the feline yin to the canine yang.

We should be careful who we blame for our unhappiness when we ourselves have created the causes for our unhappy experiences.

Change our mind, and we change our experience.

Remember the words of the Buddha: 'Though one man may conquer a thousand men a thousand times in battle, he who conquers himself is the greatest warrior.

Buddhism is about understanding our own true nature. What and who we really are.

When we understand the true nature of mind, we start to see these thoughts merely as thoughts instead of engaging with them. They arise, abide, and pass. They have no substance and certainly no power unless we git it to them.

The purpose of Buddhism is not to convert people. It is to give them tools so they can create greater happiness. So they can be happier Catholics, happier atheists, happier Buddhists. There are many practices, and I know you are already very familiar with one of them." Mrs. Trinci raised her eyebrows. "It is the wonderful paradox," he continued, "that the best way to achieve happiness for oneself is to give happiness to others.

We all need to let go—especially of our preoccupations with ourselves.