For Zen students, a weed is a treasure.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
As long as we have some definite idea about or some hope in the future, we cannot really be serious with the moment that exists right now.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that having hopes for the future can prevent us from fully appreciating the present moment.
Shunryu Suzuki highlights the importance of living in the present by stating that when we focus too much on future aspirations or desires, we may fail to engage with and appreciate our current experiences. This reflects a philosophical idea that true awareness and fulfillment come from being fully present rather than being consumed by what is yet to come.
Themes
PresentFutureMindfulnessSeriousnessAwareness
In practice
Example use cases
In a mindfulness workshop, to emphasize the importance of living in the moment.
More from Shunryu Suzuki
All quotes βIf you take pride in your attainment or become discouraged because of your idealistic effort, your practice will confine you by a thick wall.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
As long as you seek for something, you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
No teaching could be more direct than just to sit down.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
Everything is perfect, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
When you do not realize that you are one with the river, or one with the universe, you have fear. Whether it is separated into drops or not, water is water. Our life and death are the same thing. When we realize this fact, we have no fear of death anymore.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
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