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John Daido Loori

John Daido Loori Books

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“just sitting does not involve reaching some understanding. It is the subtle activity of allowing all things to be completely at rest just as they are, not poking one's head into the workings of the world.”

WorldDoeUnderstandingActivitySittingAll ThingsReachingSubtleAllowing
Book:The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza (Large Print 16pt)
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“serene illumination, or just sitting, is not a technique, or a means to some resulting higher state of consciousness, or any particular state of being. Just sitting, one simply meets the immediate present. Desiring some flashy experience, or anything more or other than 'this' is mere worldly vanity and craving.”

MeanStatesConsciousnessParticularHigherSittingExperienceMereTechniqueVanityWorldlyCravingIlluminationSereneStates Of ConsciousnessFlashy
Book:The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza (Large Print 16pt)
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“If I was asked to get rid of the Zen aesthetic and just keep one quality necessary to create art, I would say it's trust. When you learn to trust yourself implicitly, you no longer need to prove something through your art. You simply allow it to come out, to be as it is. This is when creating art becomes effortless. It happens just as you grow your hair. It grows.”

IfsNeedsArtHappensGrowsQualityHairProveCreatingArt IsAestheticTrust YourselfEffortlessCreating Art
Author:John Daido Loori
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“In transmitting the dharma, there is neither explanation nor teaching; there is neighter hearing nor attainment. Since explanations never really explains, nor are they able to teach, why talk about it? Since listening isn't really hearing or attaining anything, then why listen? But say, since it cannot be explained or heard, how can you enter the Way? But down the bagagge, take of the blinders, and see for yourself that this very place is the valley of the endless spring, this very body is the body of the universe. At such a time, who is it who can accompany this?”

WayBodyAbleUniverseTeachHeardTeachingListeningSpringHearingEndlessExplanationValleysDharmaAttainmentAccompanyBlinders
Author:John Daido Loori
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“To be simple means to make a choice about what's important, and let go of all the rest. When we are able to do this, our vision expands, our heads clear, and we can better see the details of our lives in all their incredible wonder and beauty.”

LifeInspirationalMindMeanImportantAbleChoicesSimpleWonderBeautyVisionClearOur LivesWonderfulSeeingLetting GoIncrediblesDetailsExpansionWhat's Important
Book:The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life
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“If you know the music the moment the violin string begins to vibrate, then you know how to navigate through the forest of brambles and entanglements with freedom and ease. If, on the other hand, you think that with practice the forest of brambles and entanglements will altogether disappear, then right from the beginning you are hopelessly entangled and won't find your way.”

IfsThinkingKnowsWayMomentsHandsFreedomMusicPracticeKnow HowDisappearForestsEaseStringsViolinNavigateVibrateEntanglement
Book:The True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Three Hundred Koans
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