The mysterious/unsolvable Zen Koans - Henry Shukman, Associate Zen Master

Change doesn't happen due to complacency; it happens when there are these big bold moments that shock us into action.

The experience of emptiness is to see that the sense of self has simply been an idea—it's been no more than that. But you have to experience it to get that. I think it's very hard to realize how pervasive the sense of self is until it's somehow gone.

As for the awakening piece... I think a lot of it comes through sitting, grinding out the hours, patience, developing more and more acceptance, and more and more openness to just being me—just coming to terms with myself ... It's a gradual thing.

The number of people who have tried some [form of] meditation or who are interested in doing so is staggering—it's over 50% if you total it. I think that's probably more than really need meditation. I don't necessarily think that everybody needs it.

Every Whole Foods tea aisle has the word 'zen' plastered over it. It's such a common word these days. Most people, I'm sure, don't even think of it as a practice; they think of it as describing relaxation.

This life may all be a dream, but we must work to make it a happy dream.

Always make a positive step toward the good. However small, make a step toward the good.