You can eat so much food that your belly aches-yet you still want more! Even though your belly is filled to the point of physical pain, you, the self, are not full; you still desire to consume more. The fact that the body can be full or satisfied while you still feel empty is evidence that the body is not you.

The material body is a vehicle which you are temporarily in and temporarily using. There are many examples which can help you understand that you're not the body.

Animals eat and humans eat. Animals sleep and humans sleep. Animals mate and humans mate. Animals defend and fight and so do humans. But human beings also possess the faculty for enquiring into and understanding the Absolute Truth. Humans have a faculty for spiritual growth. Humans can ask, "Who am I? What is the purpose of my existence?" If we utilize this faculty for spiritual realization then we are truly human beings. If we don't, if we simply concern ourselves with eating, sleeping, sex and fighting, then are we not human in name only?

It is natural for us to want to be happy, satisfied, and free. But due to ignorance of our true identity, our natural longing becomes misdirected and leads to further bondage and unhappiness.

The physical body is made up of countless numbers of tiny material particles called molecules and atoms. These material particles are constantly being replaced by material particles from the outside environment (in the form of food, water, air, and so on). Over a period of five to seven years, this process of metabolism brings about a complete change of the matter that makes up your body.

Buddhists do not believe in a life of hedonism because they believe in the law of karma (that is, a person's actions in this life will affect his existence in his next life) and because they preach that happiness can be obtained . . .

A person who understands that (1) one day the body will cease existing, and that (2) he himself will not cease existing, naturally becomes less interested in material gain and material pursuits (which he knows will be taken away one day) and becomes more interested in making spiritual advancement-advancement in wisdom, love, and compassion.

"Most people are not concerned about the problems we are creating on earth. Our whole attitude towards this planet is that it is disposable. Everyone thinks that they can take anything they want, exploit it, and then conveniently throw it away. So many things have become disposable " not only diapers, towels, plates and spoons " but babies, wives, husbands and old people too."

Thoughts are talks we hold with ourselves.

We become masters of our lives in the same way—by focusing on first things first. We all have a pretty good idea of the most important decisions we need to make—decisions that will improve our lives and bring us greater happiness and peace. That is where we should start. That is where we should place our greatest effort.

Each night before I go to bed, I take out a small card and write a list of the things I need to do the next day in order of their priority.

When I arrive at the office in the morning, I check my card and put all my efforts into the first item on the list. When I accomplish that item, I move on to the second and so on. Some days, I finish every item on my list. On other days, some tasks are not completed. I don't become discouraged, however, because I'm focusing my energies on the things that matter most.