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When the restrictions you have do not limit you, this is what we mean by practice.

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
Practice
Mean
Restrictions
Restriction
Limit
Limits

More quotes by Shunryu Suzuki

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We do not exist for the sake of something else. We exist for the sake of ourselves.
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The highest truth is daiji, translated as dai jiki in Chinese scriptures. This is the subject of the question the emperor asked Bodhidharma: What is the First Principle? Bodhidharma said, I don't know. I don't know is the First Principle.
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Meditation opens the mind to the greatest mystery that takes place daily and hourly it widens the heart so that it may feel the eternity of time and infinity of space in every throb it gives us a life within the world as if we were moving about in paradise.
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Life without zazen is like winding your clock without setting it. It runs perfectly well, but it dosen't tell time.
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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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To cook is not just to prepare food for someone or to cook for yourself it is to express your sincerity. So when you cook you should express yourself in your activity in the kitchen. You should allow yourself plenty of time.
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There will always be war, but we must always work to oppose it.
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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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You see something or hear a sound, and there you have everything just as it is. [...] Whatever you do, it should be an expression of the same deep activity. We should appreciate what we are doing. There is no preparation for something else.
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Instead of respecting things, we want to use them for ourselves and if it is difficult to use them, we want to conquer them.
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There should not be any particular teaching. Teaching is in each moment.
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It is wisdom that is seeking for wisdom.
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If you take pride in your attainment or become discouraged because of your idealistic effort, your practice will confine you by a thick wall.
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Bowing is a very serious practice. You should be prepared to bow, even in your last moment. even though it is impossible to get rid of our self-centered desires, we have to do it. Our true nature wants us to.
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If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything it is open to everything.
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If you were not born in this world, there would be no need to die. To be born in this world is to die, to disappear [laughing].
Shunryu Suzuki
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If you want to enjoy the movie, you should know that it is the combination of film and light and white screen, and that the most important thing is to have a plain, white screen.
Shunryu Suzuki
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A Master who cannot bow to a disciple cannot bow to Buddha.
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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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Moment after moment everything comes out of nothingness. This is the true joy of life.
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