Sublime

As Shunryu Suzuki says, “When we understand the truth of impermanence and find our composure in it, there we find ourselves in nirvana.”

Instead of having some particular object in mind, you should limit your activity. When your mind is wandering about elsewhere you have no chance to express yourself. But if you limit your activity to what you can do just now, in this moment, then you can express fully your true nature, which is the universal Buddha nature. This is our way.

Suzuki’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

This attitude of “acting as a Buddha” is particularly stressed in the Soto School, where both za-zen and the round of daily activities are not at all seen as means to an end but as the actual realization of Buddhahood.

You must be true to your own way until at last you actually come to the point where you see it is necessary to forget all about yourself.

Koans required a humility that is really a kind of plainness in approaching life without drama and ulterior motives.

Shunryu Suzuki addressed the assembly, “Each one of you is perfect the way you are and you can use a little improvement.”