Quotes

I've collected a lot of Zen/Buddhist/Taoist quotes over the years. Here are a few of my favorites.  Okay, it's more than a few:

 1. “Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are.”     ~ Chinese Proverb

2. “When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”    ~ Zen Proverb

3.  "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."    ~ Buddha

4. "Remembering a wrong is like carrying a burden on the mind."    ~Buddha

5.  “Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.”    ~ Alan Watts

6. "Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment."   ~ Lao Tzu 

7. "One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him."  ~ Lao Tzu

8. "Respond intelligently, even to unintelligent treatment."  ~ Lao Tzu

9. "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."   ~ Dalai Lama

10. "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."   ~ Dalai Lama

11. "Whether one believes in a religion or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion."  ~ Dalai Lama

12. “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness. The important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”  ~  Dalai Lama

13. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”   ~ Dalai Lama

14. "No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place."   ~ Zen Proverb

15. “Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink. We may as well enjoy the journey, because the destination is the same for all of us.”  ~ Unknown

16.  "If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?"  ~ Taoist Proverb

17.  “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Do not resist them, for that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality."  ~ Lao-Tzu