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It is easy to have calmness in inactivity, it is hard to have calmness in activity, but calmness in activity is true calmness.

Shunryu Suzuki

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Shunryu Suzuki
Age: 67 †
Born: 1904
Born: May 18
Died: 1971
Died: December 4
Bhikkhu
Leader
Missionary
Philosopher
Writer
Atlanta
Georgia
Easy
True
Hard
Inactivity
Calmness
Activity

More quotes by Shunryu Suzuki

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Whereever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything. That is more true than I can say, and more true than you can hear.
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Don't move. Just die over and over. Don't anticipate. Nothing can save you now because you have only this moment. Not even enlightenment will help you now because there are no other moments. With no future, be true to yourself and express yourself fully. Don't move.
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The way that helps will not be the same it changes according to the situation.
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So when you try hard to make your own way, you will help others...before you make your own way you cannot help anyone, and no one can help you.
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A tiger does not ignore or slight any small animal. The way he catches a mouse and catches and devours a cow are the same.
Shunryu Suzuki
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When you do something, if you fix your mind on the activity with some confidence, the quality of your state of mind is the activity itself. When you are concentrated on the quality of your being, you are prepared for the activity.
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There should not be any particular teaching. Teaching is in each moment.
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The more you practice zazen, the more you will be able to accept something as your own, whatever it is.
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Enlightenment is not a complete remedy.
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In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few.
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Our mind should be free from traces of the past, just like the flowers of spring.
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No matter what god or doctrine you believe in, if you become attached to it, your belief will be based more or less on a self-centered idea.
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If it is raining out, do not walk fast, because it is raining everywhere.
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It is a big mistake to think that the best way to express yourself is to do whatever you want, acting as you please. This is not expressing yourself. If you know what to do exactly, and you do it, then you can express yourself fully.
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Each one of us must make his own true way, and when we do, that way will express the universal way.
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Discipline is creating the situation.
Shunryu Suzuki
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The secret of zen is just two words: not... always... so.
Shunryu Suzuki
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A Master who cannot bow to a disciple cannot bow to Buddha.
Shunryu Suzuki
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Time goes from present to past.
Shunryu Suzuki
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When you are fooled by something else, the damage will not be so big. But when you are fooled by yourself, it is fatal. No more medicine.
Shunryu Suzuki