THE HEART and LOVE:
“Meditation is love.”
“Bless those around you. If you bless those around you, this will inspire you to be attentive in every moment.”
“I feel loving thoughts and lovingkindness towards everyone. I don’t discriminate.”
“The first thing is to love yourself. You cannot progress by self doubt and self hatred. You can only progress by self love.”
“Your heart knows everything.”
“You are all my dharma children.”
“Whatever comes in life, I embrace.”
“Your mind is your friend.”
‘If your life is in trouble, do metta (lovingkindness practices).’
THINKING AND THOUGHTS:
“Human beings will never solve all their problems.”
“Thoughts of the past and the future spoil your time.”
“Your mind is all stories. Let go of thinking.”
“This problem you are facing is no problem at all. It is because you think, “this is mine,’ or ‘there is something for me to solve.’ Don’t think in this way, and then there will be no trouble.”
“You can do anything you want to do. It’s only your thought that you can’t do it that holds you back.”
Whatever beliefs you have, ask yourself, “Are you sure?” “Who says?” “Why not?”
“Anything is possible!”
EMOTIONS:
“Sometimes I experience some irritation, but my mind remains cool. Irritation comes and passes. My mind isn’t disturbed by this.”
“Why be upset? Even the Buddha had to bear slanders and criticism throughout life, and I am just and ordinary and insignificant woman.”
“There is nothing to cling to in this world. Ask yourself, ‘What can I take with me when I die?’”
If you find yourself engaging in addictive behaviors or obsessions, Dipa Ma recommended to note, “Oh, I’m doing it again. I’m doing it again” as a way to bring both mindfulness and gentleness to yourself in this process.
WOMEN:
“The daughters of the Buddha are fearless.”
“Being a wife, being a mother—these were my first teachers.” Make all circumstances your teachers.
“Women’s tendency to be more emotional is not a hindrance to practice. Just watch the emotions and don’t identify.”
MEDITATION and SPIRITUAL URGENCY:
“Mindfulness is the ‘great vocation’ in life which leads to the end of suffering.”
“Meditation is always possible, at any time.”
“You cannot separate meditation from life.”
“Always have Vipassana as your friend.”
“If you are busy, then busyness is the meditation. If you are rushing to the office, then you should be mindful of rushing.”
“If you can manage five minutes a day, then do that. It is important to do whatever you can, no matter how little.”
“Practice now. Don’t think you will do more later.”
“Can you meditate just 5 minutes with me now? Let’s sit down and do it.
“Human life is most precious. You should not waste it.”
“Meditation is not about thinking. Let go of thinking and your faith will come from within.”
“Patience is one of the most important virtues for developing mindfulness and concentration.”
“Gradually I became acquainted with suffering, the cause of suffering, the arising of suffering, and the end of suffering.”
“Though one should live a hundred years without comprehending how all things rise and pass away, better yet indeed is a single day’s life of one who comprehends the Rising and Passing away of all things.” (This was Dipa Ma’s favorite teaching from the Buddha, and she would repeat it daily.)
SIMPLICITY AND SILENCE:
“Whenever I get time alone, I always turn my mind inward.”
“You don’t need anything to be happy.”
“Everything is fresh and new all the time. Every moment is new.”
“Live simply. A very simple life is good for everything. You will not find any pleasure in plenty.”
“When I’ve moving about, shopping, or doing anything I’m always doing it with mindfulness. I know these are things I have to do, but they aren’t problems. On the other hand, I don’t spend time gossiping, or visiting, or doing anything which I don’t consider necessary in life.”
“There is nothing ultimately to cling to in this world.” “However, life is not to be rejected. It is here. And as long as it is here and we are here, we can make the best use of it.”
“The dharma (truth) is everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are.”
“What is your intention? For any action, physical, verbal, or mental—the Buddha gave the importance to intention. Know your intention in every action.”
