Shunryu Suzuki quotes - page 3

Everything is perfect, but there is a lot of room for improvement. (Shunryu Suzuki)
The practice of Zen mind is beginner's mind. The innocence of the first inquiry-what am I?-is needed throughout Zen practice. The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities. It is the kind of mind which can see things as they are, which step by step and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Our way is to practice one step at a time, one breath at a time, with no gaining idea. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
I discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing. That is, we have to believe in something which has no form and no color--something which exists before all forms and colors appear... 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. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
There is no connection between I myself yesterday and I myself in this moment. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
True communication depends upon our being straightforward with one another... But the best way to communicate may be just to sit without saying anything. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
The person who can freely acknowledge that life is full of difficulties can be free, because they are acknowledging the nature of life - that it can't be much else. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Each one of us must make his own true way, and when we do, that way will express the universal way. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
A Master who cannot bow to a disciple cannot bow to Buddha. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
If you understand real practice, then archery or other activities can be zen. If you don't understand how to practice archery in its true sense, then even though you practice very hard, what you acquire is just technique. It won't help you through and through. Perhaps you can hit the mark without trying, but without a bow and arrow you cannot do anything. If you understand the point of practice, then even without a bow and arrow the archery will help you. How you get that kind of power or ability is only through right practice. (Shunryu Suzuki)
If you think you will get something from practicing zazen, already you are involved in impure practice. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
When the restrictions you have do not limit you, this is what we mean by practice. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Zazen practice and everyday activity are one thing. We call zazen everyday life, and everyday life zazen. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
To give your sheep or cow a large, spacious meadow is the way to control him. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Even if the sun were to rise from the west, the Bodhisattva has only one way. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Communication is - start by understanding - your own understanding about people. Even though you want them to understand you, you know, it is - unless you understand people, it is almost impossible. Don't you think so? Only when you understand people, they may understand you. So even though you do not say anything, if you understand people there is some communication. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki
Practice does not mean that whatever you do, even lying down, is zazen. When the restrictions you have do not limit you, this is what we mean by practice.... When you sit, you will sit. When you eat, you will eat.... If you say,”It doesn't matter,” it means that you are making some excuse to do something in your own way with your small mind. It means that you are to some particular thing or way. That is not what we mean when we say, "Just to sit is enough,” or "Whatever you do is zazen.” Of course, everything you do is zazen, but if so, there is no need to say it. View quote
Shunryu Suzuki