POVERTY IS ALSO RICHNESS

The buddha of the human realm is a buddha with a begging bowl. This represents the mentality of poverty, which is the largest concern of the human realm. In order to relate with poverty, you have to speak the language of poverty. But by carrying a begging bowl, in fact, it is as though you always have something to put things into. In other words, the ultimate mentality of poverty is also the mentality of richness at the same time. Whatever situations need to be created, you can create them, and you get it. You are in command of the whole situation. So that is being extremely wealthy.

From "The Human Realm," in TRANSCENDING MADNESS: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SIX BARDOS, page 247.

Meditation _Awareness of Whatever Occurs

As long as you maintain awareness or mindfulness, no matter what
happens when you practice, your practice is meditation. If you watch
your thoughts, that is meditation. If you can't watch your thoughts,
that is meditation, too. Any of these experiences can be supports for
meditation. The essential thing is to maintain awareness, no matter
what thoughts, emotions, or sensations occur. If you remember that
awareness of whatever occurs is meditation, then meditation becomes
much easier than you think.

âYongey Mingyur Rinpoche, From: The Joy Of Living, Harmony Books

Mark Twain on Madness

in one way or another all men are mad. Many are mad for money...Love is a madness...it can grow to a frenzy of despair ... All the whole list of desires, predilections, aversions, ambitions, passions, cares, griefs, regrets, remorses, are incipience madness, and ready to grow, spread and consume, when the occasion comes. There are no healthy minds, and nothing saves any man but accident--the accident of not having his malady put to the supreme test.
One of the commonest forms of madness is the desire to be noticed, the pleasure derived from being noticed. Perhaps it is not merely common, but universal.
- "The Memorable Assassination" Mark Twain

http://www.twainquotes.com/Madness.html

Signs of Successful Practice and the Signs of the Purification of Your Harmful Acts

In particular it is said that you will experience a feeling of
physical buoyancy,
little need for sleep, good health, clear thinking, and glimpses of
realization.

âJamgon Kongtrul, The Torch of Certainty, Pg. 82, Shambhala
Publications

Zen Master Dogen

Where the great function turns, entire sky moves.
Penetrate; no trace on thread road.
Alone I sing in the balcony, only moon color
dyes clouds. Winter shower moistens burning haze.


Zen Master Dogen, From: Moon In A Dewdrop, North Point Press