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Our practice should be based on the ideal of selflessness. Selflessness is very difficult to understand. If you try to be selfless, that is already a selfish idea. Selflessness will be there when you do not try anything.
Shunryu Suzuki
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Shunryu Suzuki
Age: 67 †
Born: 1904
Born: May 18
Died: 1971
Died: December 4
Bhikkhu
Leader
Missionary
Philosopher
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Atlanta
Georgia
Trying
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Practice
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Selflessness
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Selfless
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Anything
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Ideals
More quotes by Shunryu Suzuki
The goal of our life’s effort is to reach the other shore, Nirvana. Prajna paramita, the true wisdom of life, is that in each step of the way, the other shore is actually reached.
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Instead of criticizing, find out how to help.
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In the Lotus Sutra, Buddha says to light up one corner - not the whole world. Just make it clear where you are.
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To be different is to have value. In this sense all things have equal, absolute value. Each thing has absolute value and thus is equal to everything else.
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Concentration comes not from trying hard to focus on something, but from keeping your mind open and directing it at nothing.
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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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We do not slight the idea of enlightenment, but the most important thing is this moment, not some day in the future. We have to make our effort in this moment. This is the most important thing for our practice.
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Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.
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Life and death are the same thing. When we realize this fact, we have no fear of death anymore, nor actual difficulty in our life.
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In the zazen posture, your mind and body have, great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable.
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When you sit, everything sits with you.
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If you think your body and mind are two, that is wrong if you think that they are one, that is also wrong. Our body and mind are both two and one.
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Each of you is perfect the way you are ... and you can use a little improvement.
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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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When you say, Wait a moment, you are bound by your karma when you say Yes I will, you are free.
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When the restrictions you have do not limit you, this is what we mean by practice.
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If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything it is open to everything.
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In your everyday life you always have opportunities for enlightenment. If you go to the rest room, there is a chance to attain enlightenment. When you cook, there is a chance to attain enlightenment. When you clean the floor, there is a chance to attain enlightenment.
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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.
Shunryu Suzuki