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Quote by Peter Matthiessen

“To practice Zen means to realize one's existence in the beauty and clarity of this present moment, rather than letting life unravel in useless daydreaming of the past and future. To "rest in the present" is a state of magical simplicity.”

Book:Zen Meditation in Plain English

Work

Zen Meditation in Plain English

This book offers a straightforward approach to understanding and practicing Zen meditation, catering to those who are new to the discipline or seeking a clearer understanding of its principles. more

Author

Peter Matthiessen

Peter Matthiessen was an American novelist and naturalist, renowned for his works that seamlessly integrate fiction and non-fiction. His writing frequently delved into environmental themes and the human connection with nature. Born on May 22, 1927, he passed away on April 5, 2014. more

“No. Silence is something. This is nothing. Why couldn’t I hear it before? I think it has been there always. From the beginning of time.’ He put out his hand and stubbed it on my arm, stared at it. ‘At the end of the world, at the beginning of the world; under the sea and over the sky; at the root and crown of the universe: nothing. At all. That’s what I heard. What I hear.’ He leaned forward. ‘Do you understand?”

Empty Zen Zero Nothing

Book:Listening at the Gate

Source: Listening at the Gate

“A mountain shrouded in mist is not hiding anything profound. There is no more wisdom on top of that mountain than there is anywhere else. It is just as sacred as a nap below the bough of a tree, washing the dishes, the sun fading over a meadow, belly laughter, a walk down a narrow path.”

Wisdom Buddhism Enlightenment Zen Non Duality Buddha Nature

Author:Bremer Acosta

“The earth provides not just a little, but all. The very body and mind with which I tend the earth are themselves of the earth. I am but earth tending earth. Were the earth not to roll this garden toward the sun today, were the clouds not to gather above the sea, the waters not to flow, the soil not to brim with its billions of microorganisms, were all or any part of this to fail, I would fail as well, my body numbed to a fixed stillness, my slightest thought cancelled. This truth is so obvious that it is a wonder we can forget it so often and so easily. The fact of it defines who we are. To forget this is to forget who we are, a species suffering from amnesia that bewildered seeks its own name.”

Earth Nature Buddhism Zen Interconnection

Book:Bad Dog!: A Memoir of Love, Beauty, and Redemption in Dark Places

Source: Bad Dog!: A Memoir of Love, Beauty, and Redemption in Dark Places

“If we don’t insist on defining impermanence as unsatisfactory, then it’s natural to celebrate. Just a moments pause to consider the passing of the seasons is enough to convince anyone that not only is impermanence the source of all possible joy in this life but its the movement of life itself.”