External appearances appear to the mind, but they are just a construction of the mind; when they appear, the mind gives them a label. For that reason, even if outside things seem good, there is not actually a whole lot to be attached to. If they seem bad, there is nothing to feel aversion toward. Therefore if we want to be free of suffering and faults and find happiness and good qualities, the most important thing is to tame our mind and to be diligent about doing so. This is why we meditate and this is why there are mind instructions. Since the mind is root of everything and everything comes down to the mind, there is nothing more important than taming our mind, meditating on samadhi, and resting in equipoise.

Thrangu Rinpoche

from the book Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar

Read a random quote or see all quotes by Thrangu Rinpoche.

Further quotes from the book Vivid Awareness:

• Virtuous and Non-virtuous Actions
• Confused appearances
• Taking Pain and Illness as the Path
• Karma
• Mind and brain
• Awareness is naturally liberated
• The essence of afflictions
• Not rooted in anything
• Thinking while resting in the natural state
• Thoughts are just displays of the mind
• Goodness is something we all have
• Ordinary mind
• Resting within the essence of the mind