Pico Iyer Quotes

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

I had benefited so much from Vipassana, I felt it was important for many more people to be able to share the experience.

When we practice metta, we open continuously to the truth of our actual experience, changing our relationship to life.

With mindfulness - the practice of peace - we can begin by working to transform the wars in ourselves. Conscious breathing helps us do this.

The way you get more is by having a daily spiritual practice.

To begin to meditate is to look into our lives with interest in kindness and discover how to be wakeful and free.

Meditation is a valuable exercise, but eventually you have to open up your eyes and look around.

A lot of people have questioned how yoga and their own spiritual beliefs can come together. Yoga actually pre-dates religion.

In Buddhism there are words you can say... as you say the words with rhythm the conscious tells the subconscious.

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.

Consciously be sensitive to others, and try to elevate their level of consciousness. Don't do this by being preachy and telling them that they 'should' do this or that. Do it by raising your own level of energy and recognizing what's best in others.

I never stopped studying Buddhism. In the past few years, in between movies, I do a retreat.

Zen Buddhism is a discipline where belief isn't necessary.

We come to meditation to learn how not to act out the habitual tendencies we generally live by - those actions that create suffering for ourselves and others, and get us into so much trouble.

If every day you practice walking and sitting meditation and generate the energy of mindfulness and concentration and peace, you are a cell in the body of the new Buddha. This is not a dream but is possible today and tomorrow.

I've spent quite a bit of my life as a meditation teacher and writer commending the strengths of love and compassion.

I spent years studying the teachings of Patanjali, and he reminded us several thousand years ago that when we are steadfast - which means that we never slip in our abstention of thoughts of harm directed toward others - then all living creatures cease to feel enmity in our presence.

I have created a life style that supports contemplation, service to words.

The real meditation practice is how we live our lives from moment to moment to moment.

I feel a lot more secure about the directions I take, than I might have, had I not practiced Buddhism.

Spiritual practice should not be confused with grim duty. It is the laughter of the Dalai Lama and the wonder born with every child.

Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation; and honor the reward of action.

When you practice Buddhism, you have to always self-reflect, and you can't avoid your problems. That makes me understand human beings better. I feel that the more I do that in my own life, the more I can see how to play a character.

I think my Buddhist practice has a profound influence on my life and encompasses my creative projects.

I think to say that meditation is helpful to artists is true and it's great, but it's also essentially helpful to any kind of process of, just, life.