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The true purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes. Zen practice is to open up our small mind.
Shunryu Suzuki
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Zen encourages seeing reality clearly and releasing attachments. It emphasizes an open-minded approach to life.

This quote by Shunryu Suzuki highlights the essence of Zen practice, which is to cultivate a clear perception of reality without the distortions of our own preconceptions and judgments. It suggests that true understanding and peace come from letting go of our mental constraints and approaching life with an open mind, accepting things as they are rather than as we wish them to be.

Themes

ZenMindfulnessAcceptanceClarityRealityLetting Go

In practice

Example use cases

In a meditation retreat, the teacher reminded us that the true purpose of Zen is to observe our thoughts without judgment.

More from Shunryu Suzuki

For Zen students, a weed is a treasure.
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If you take pride in your attainment or become discouraged because of your idealistic effort, your practice will confine you by a thick wall.
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As long as you seek for something, you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself.
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No teaching could be more direct than just to sit down.
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Everything is perfect, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
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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.
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