A student wrote asking for advice regarding her 25-year-old son, who had paranoid schizophrenia.

My most dear, most kind, precious Kayla,Thank you for your letter.

Rather than staying worried, recite Mani mantras [OM MANI PADME HUM] to purify past negative karma, then there’s no need to worry. Everything dies—everything grows and dies, comes and goes—so our main aim should be enlightenment.

Practice loving kindness meditation so that your compassion will grow. Understand the different levels of beings’ suffering. The main thing is loving kindness. 

Student's letterI am a 22-year-old man. For the past year until now, I have been facing problems coming from my mind. I have this unexplainable fear and feel paranoid, which come from my mind.

Concerning your fear of death, the following will help immediately. As a basis, do self-initiation four, three, or two times, or at least once a month. For immediate protection, self-initiation is best. Doing a short one every day is the best.

It is good to continue to work in your office. Vomiting and defecating is a positive dream. Don’t worry.Above your head, in your bedroom, you should keep His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait, a picture of Thousand-arm Chenrezig, and my portrait.

Just before departure and during the flight, it is very good to recite the names of the ten directions' buddhas.

Advice to a German woman with a fear of snakes since she was a child. 

It’s OK to feel happiness when we help. If pride comes, think, “I am fortunate that I'm able to help.”Focus on benefiting others.