For Zen students, a weed is a treasure.
Shunryu SuzukiRead
When we become truly ourselves, we just become a swinging door, and we are purely independent of, and at the same time, dependent upon everything.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True self-awareness leads to a balance between independence and connection with the world.
This quote by Shunryu Suzuki suggests that when we fully embrace our true selves, we achieve a state of being that allows us to be both free and interconnected with the world around us. The metaphor of a 'swinging door' illustrates the idea that while we may act independently, we are always influenced by and dependent on our surroundings and relationships.
Themes
Self-AwarenessIndependenceInterconnectednessPhilosophyPersonal Growth
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about self-discovery.
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
Similar quotes
Memory is the basis of every journey.
Stephen KingRead
America is a fundamentally good country. We have good people with good values who want to do the right thing. But the structures of power that exist are working to their own ends to extend their capability at the expense of the freedom of all publics.
Edward SnowdenRead
That which is given with pride and ostentation is rather an ambition than a bounty.
Seneca The YoungerRead
The same kinds of stereotypes and hunches that George Zimmerman used when deciding that, you know, Trayvon Martin seemed like a threat in his neighborhood, law enforcement officers employ all the time.
Michelle AlexanderRead
It would seem the people who want to preserve the Penans' way of life are condemning them to a life full of diseases and a shorter life span.
Mahathir MohamadRead
Many have become chess masters - no one has become the master of chess.
Siegbert TarraschRead