“The ritual works. The forms overcome doubts. We have learned over the centuries to weave meaning around emptiness and pain. A meaning and a pattern. We have been practising that for a very long time.”

“Forgiveness does not mean that we will cease to hurt. The wounds are deep, and we may hurt for a very long time. Just because we continue to experience emotional pain does not mean that we failed to forgive.”

“We work very hard to have what Buddha gave up to become enlightened. Does that mean we are benighted?”

“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn't seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand. In looking back over the years we can discover how a red thread goes through the pattern of our life: the Will of God.”

“Compassion doesn't have to be learned. It's part of our fabric. We have just been programmed to neglect it over time, and THAT is what we have to unlearn.”

“When we have found all the mysteries and lost all the meaning, we will be alone, on an empty shore.”