You do not need to perform a single ritual of this tradition. You do not need to study a single Buddhist text. As long as you are kind, compassionate, and understanding, you are a true follower of the Buddha. This will prolong your life and allow you to live in comfort and ease. Ultimately, this will make you happy, and this will make others happy as well.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

The teacher is an indispensable guide on the path of discovery. The joy and satisfaction you ultimately experience is the blessing of your teacher. Recollecting this, devotion and respect for the teacher come effortlessly. Your love and concern for all beings flow naturally. You are one with your teacher’s wisdom mind and his compassionate heart. With these signs, you know you are on the right path. Without them, you are missing the heart and the essence.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

To be compassionate does not mean that we are superior to or more virtuous than others. Such misguided, self-righteous thinking will only torment us. Compassion is simply the natural expression of a pure and noble heart. Make this your natural way, and you will enjoy the highest standard of living.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

My advice is to treat yourself kindly — take these sacred teachings to heart. Integrate the discipline of meditation into your life. You will benefit yourself while also benefiting your colleagues, friends, and family. You may even benefit your enemies!

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

When we cannot transcend our ordinary, habitual ways of thinking, we become mired in our confusion. Not recognizing the pristine nature of mind, we suffer, since there is a great deal of attachment to the “I.” An endless stream of thoughts, with one thought linked to the next, traps us in a perpetual cycle of confusion and pain.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

Try to embrace death without flinching. Acknowledge the certainty of death without fear. Heightened awareness of impermanence stirs up the passion to live fully. In Buddhism, much emphasis is placed on impermanence and death, but the intent is not to create fear, dread, or panic. On the contrary, awareness of death leads us to appreciate each moment of our lives completely.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

Do everything sincerely. Sincerely feel what you are feeling. Sincerely see what you are seeing. Sincerely express who you are. Sincerely experience what you are interested in experiencing. Look at others sincerely. Sincerely have curiosity. It’s okay. Whatever you do, just do it sincerely.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

To live our lives fully, we need to do everything completely. Complete activity begins with a pure intention. In other words, give rise to a kind heart.

~ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"

The inhalation and exhalation of our breath, moment by moment, is precious. Here, there is always fresh discovery and continual revelation. Here, there is genuine satisfaction. So let’s not rely too heavily on anything external. Let us always remember what is ours from the very beginning: the capacity to breathe deeply and to live our lives fully.

～ from "Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath"