In all kinds of situations, we can find out what is true simply by studying ourselves in every nook and cranny, in every black hole and bright spot, whether it’s murky, creepy, grisly, splendid, spooky, frightening, joyful, inspiring, peaceful, or wrathful. We can just look at the whole thing. There’s a lot of encouragement to do this, and meditation gives us the method. When I first encountered Buddhism, I was extremely relieved that there were not only teachings, but also a technique I could use to explore and test these teachings. I was told from day one that I had to find out for myself what was true.

Pema Chödron

from the book When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

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Further quotes from the book When Things Fall Apart:

• Disappointment
• Undoing of old ways of seeing
• Moving closer to the truth
• The perfect teacher
• The courage to look at ourselves honestly and gently
• Opening our hearts and minds beyond limit
• Awakening is essential
• Being with us
• The Possibility of Egolessness
• The path of true awakening
• Flooding the world with your kindness
• Negativity begets negativity
• Exposing ourselves to annihilation
• Only in our own experience
• Become Familiar with Fear
• Until we got it
• Don’t Set Out to Save the World
• Fully alive
• No fresh air