“my mother was taught the ch'an concept of happiness, which was to find satisfaction in small things. i was taught to appreciate the fresh air in the morning, the colour of leaves turning red in autumn and the water's smoothness when i soaked my hands in the basin.”

“I thought of the bowl of water my mother taught me to look into. It was true, everything a person ever needed to know was right there in a single bowl small enough to fit in the palm of one hand.”

“And now I know that you're the oneI've waited my whole life forYou're budding leaves turning green in springYou're the fresh breath of air that summer bringsYou're the autumn sky painted in rainbow huesYou're the wintry ocean dancing in shimmering bluesYou're the air I breahteYou're the water I drinkYou're the fire inside meThe earth under my feet You're the one”

“JB’s mother had taught him early on that appreciated women are happy women.”

“They say, that when I was born,my mother taught me to suck the milk.And every night beside my crib,she taught me to sleep as soft as silk.With a smile she pressed her lips to mine,till my mouth with joy oversplit.She took my hand and guided my foot,till I learned to walk with a happy lilt.One word, two words, then three and more...that's how she taught me to talk.That's why my life is part of her life,and will remain so as long as I live”

“I imagined my soul taking in these words like silicated water in the Petrified Forest, turning my wood to patterned agate. I liked it when my mother shaped me this way. I thought clay must feel happy in the good potter's hand.”