The Buddha in Jail

Facing suffering, he says, getting beneath defenses and resistance to non-denial of even our most painful memories and experiences, can in itself be a source of happiness.

happiness is available when you know who you are and no longer have the illusion of a separate self, when you recognize the penetrating interconnection between yourself and all of life

To help someone else is to help yourself.

Numbness is a hindrance that leads to isolation. Feeling our feelings is very important.

Happiness is not just having a pleasant feeling. It’s also being present with an unpleasant one.

There are three bases of happiness: intelligence, feelings, and connection. We need all three.

Faith arising from duality is conditional. It is not true faith. For example, if you’re nice, I believe in you. Real belief is unconditional. It is not scientific, but insightific. It goes beyond individuality or duality.

Mindfulness practice is scientific; awakening is insightific.

Knowledge is always dualistic. Wisdom is nondual.

Taking without giving destabilizes individuals and the economy.