Quotes from Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.
When you do something, you should do it with your whole body and mind;
you should be concentrated on what you do. You should do it completely,
like a good bonfire. You should not be a smoky fire. You should burn yourself completely.
If you do not burn yourself completely, a trace of yourself will be left in what you do.
Try not to force your idea on someone, but rather think about it with them.
If you feel you have won the discussion, that is the wrong attitude.
Try not to win the argument; just listen to it.
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.
This is the mystery. When you understand one thing through and through,
you understand everything. When you try to understand everything,
you will not understand anything. The best way is to understand yourself,
and then you will understand everything. So when you try hard to make your own way,
you will help others, and you will be helped by others.
Before you make your own way you cannot help anyone, and no one can help you.
Those who are attached only to the result of their effort
will not have any chance to appreciate it, because the result will never come.
Instead of only criticizing your culture,
you should devote your mind and body to practicing this simple way.
Then society and culture will grow out of you.
It is quite usual for us to gather pieces of information from various sources,
thinking in this way to increase our knowledge.
Actually, following this way we end up not knowing anything at all...
Instead of gathering knowledge, you should clear your mind.
If your mind is clear, true knowledge is already yours.
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