Appearing in the world like reflections

Just as reflections in water

Are not inside or outside,

Bodhisattvas seeking enlightenment

Know the world is not the world:

They do not dwell in or leave the world,

Because the world is inexplicable;

And they are not inside or outside,

Appearing in the world like reflections.

~ Avatamsaka Sutra - Flower Ornament Scripture

Space and awareness.

It is said that the difference between buddhas and sentient beings is like the difference between the narrowness and the openness of space. Sentient beings are like the space held within a tightly closed fist, while buddhas are fully open, all-encompassing. Basic space and awareness are innately all-encompassing. Basic space is the absence of mental constructs, while awareness is the 'knowing' of this absence of constructs, recognizing the complete emptiness of mind essence. Space and awareness are inherently indivisible.

 ~ Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Appearances are not real!

This is what the dharma practitioner needs to understand — that the whole of samsara, or nirvana, is as essenceless or untrue as that film. Until we see this, it will be very difficult for dharma to sink into our minds. We will always be carried away, seduced by the glory and beauty of this world, by all the apparent success and failure. However, once we see, even just for a second, that these appearances are not real, we will gain a certain confidence. This doesn't mean that we have to rush off to Nepal or India and become a monk or nun. We can still keep our jobs, wear a suit and tie and go with our briefcase to the office every day. We can still fall in love, offer our loved one flowers, exchange rings. But somewhere inside there is something telling us that all this is essenceless.

~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Nature of emptiness is compassion.

It should be clearly understood that anyone who has realized the nature of emptiness experiences the spontaneous arising of bodhicitta. There is no realization of emptiness that doesn't inherently contain bodhicitta. Just like fire is hot, the nature of emptiness is compassion.

~ Yangthang Rinpoche

Mind is empty

Mind is empty, and while being empty, it still knows or experiences. Space is empty and does not know anything. That is the difference between space and mind. Mind is similar to space in that it is insub­stantial, not material. Isn’t it quite amazing that some­thing that is insubstantial is also able to experience?

There is mind, but it is not tangible or substantial. You cannot say that there is no mind because it is the basis of everything; it is that which experiences every possible thing. You cannot say really that there is a thing called mind, and yet at the same time you can­not say that there is no mind. It lies beyond both extremes of being and not being. That is why it is said, "Not existent, since even a buddha does not see it; not nonexistent, since it is the basis of both samsara and nirvana."

~ Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Fearless in the face of death.

Lady Tsogyal asked the master:
Where do we find an abode that is fearless in the face of death?

The master (Padmasambhava) replied:
When you realize that the nature of your mind never arises, you may seem to change bodies, but you do not move from the empty and lucid dharmakaya, the nature of your mind. You can firmly resolve on that.

No limits and no boundary!

Dissolving into the expanse of emptiness

That has no limits and no boundary,

Everything I see, everything I hear,

My own mind, and the sky all merge.

Not once has the notion arisen

Of these being seperate and distinct.

~ Shabkar