Vipassana: looking into something with clarity and precision, seeing each component as distinct, piercing all the way through so as to perceive the most fundamental reality of that thing.

The process of becoming who you will be begins first with the total acceptance of who you are.

Whatever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves, we will use on others, and whatever attitudes we habitually use toward others, we will use on ourselves.

When you have learned compassion for yourself, compassion for others is automatic.

You can learn not to want what you want, to recognize desires but not be controlled by them.

Watch the functioning of your own mind in a calm and detached manner so you can gain insight into your own behavior.

No matter how hard you pursue pleasure and success, there are times when you fail. No matter how fast you flee, there are times when pain catches up with you.

The purpose of meditation is personal transformation.

The you that goes in one side of the meditation experience is not the same you that comes out the other side.

Meditation changes your character.

We have to learn to be kind to ourselves. In the long run avoiding unpleasantness is a very unkind thing to do to yourself.

Nature is not out there

No matter what's happening in the Middle East - the Arab Spring, et cetera, the economic challenges, high rates of unemployment - the emotional, critical issue is always the Israeli-Palestinian one.

You can't put people in jail for having mental disorders. You can't do that, and they should not be held there. They need rehabilitative therapy.

It's great to tell people you have your own show, but that's where the fun stops.

I've always wanted to work with Hugh [Grant] because I loved his movies.

Miyazaki's films in Japan are bigger than Titanic. He's an incredible rock star there. In the US, they don't do as well.

If you're trying to do something different, you can't ask someone to help, because they'll want to make it not different.

You tell me you were happier with him, but you want me to stay.

We dream our dreams, and sometimes they take us to places we never anticipate. But they are our dreams, and we go where they lead.