Enlightenment is like everyday consciousness but two inches above the ground.
Interpretation
Enlightenment is an elevated state of awareness that transcends normal consciousness.
D.T. Suzuki's quote suggests that enlightenment is not a vast leap from daily awareness, but rather a subtle, higher state of understanding that enhances our perception of reality. It invites individuals to recognize that profound insights can be found in the ordinary experiences of life, encouraging one to remain grounded while seeking deeper awareness.
In practice
In a meditation workshop, this quote can inspire participants to seek deeper awareness in their daily lives.
Zen, in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to freedom. By making us drink right from the fountain of life it liberates us from all the yokes under which we finite beings are usually suffering in this world.
The basic idea of Zen is to come in touch with the inner workings of our being, and to do this in the most direct way possible, without resorting to anything external or superadded. Therefore, anything that has the semblance of an external authority is rejected by Zen. Absolute faith is placed in a man's own inner being. For whatever authority there is in Zen, all comes from within.
Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea in my tearoom I am swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my lifting the bowl to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?
The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly- this is their will. Human beings talk- this is their will. The seasons change, heaven sends down rain or snow, the earth occasionally shakes, the waves roll, the stars shine- each of them follows its own will. To be is to will and so is to become.
We teach ourselves; Zen merely points the way.
I am an artist at living - my work of art is my life.
Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the people.
Being willing to donate the taxpayers' money is not the same as being willing to put your own money where your mouth is.
The conscious mind determines the actions, the unconscious mind determines the reactions; and the reactions are just as important as the actions.
All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One.
High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.
Persons of genius are, ex vi termini, more individual than any other people - less capable, consequently, of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of the small number of moulds which society provides in order to save its members the trouble of forming their character.
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