Be moderate in eating and drinking. Mindful of the passing of time, engage yourself in zazen as though saving your head from fire.
DogenRead
You should stop searching for phrases and chasing after words. Take the backward step and turn the light inward. Your body-mind of itself will drop off and your original face will appear. If you want to attain just this, immediately practice just this.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and internal realization over external pursuits.
Dogen's quote encourages individuals to cease their relentless quest for external validation and instead focus on introspection. The phrase 'turn the light inward' suggests that true understanding and authenticity come from self-awareness, leading to a greater connection with one's 'original face'—the essence of who one truly is, beyond societal constructs and superficial thoughts.
Themes
Self-ReflectionIntrospectionSelf-AwarenessPersonal Growth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be included in a meditation workshop to inspire participants to focus on inner peace.
More from Dogen
All quotes →In the assemblies of the enlightened ones there have been many cases of mastering the Way bringing forth the heart of plants and trees; this is what awakening the mind for enlightenment is like. The fifth patriarch of Zen was once a pine-planting wayfarer; Rinzai worked on planting cedars and pines on Mount Obaku. . . . Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.
DogenRead
To start from the self and try to understand all things is delusion. To let the self be awakened by all things is enlightenment.
DogenRead
A fool sees himself as another, but a wise man sees others as himself.
DogenRead
Do not travel to other dusty lands, forsaking your own sitting place; if you cannot find the truth where you are now, you will never find it.
DogenRead
Do no harmful actions, do not become attached to the cycle of death and rebirth, show kindness, respect the old and have compassion for the young, do not have a heart that rejects or a heart that covets and have no worry or sadness in your heart. This is what is called enlightenment. Do not seek it elsewhere.
DogenRead
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