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Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice

This book presents a series of informal talks by Shunryu Suzuki, a prominent Zen Buddhist teacher, focusing on the practice of Zen meditation and its principles. Suzuki's teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness and the beginner's mind, encouraging readers to approach their practice with openness and simplicity. more

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Shunryu Suzuki
Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki, born on May 18, 1904, was a renowned Zen master from Japan. He played a significant role in spreading Zen culture in the Western world. more

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“Men and women are needed whose prayers will give to the world the utmost power of God; who will make His promises to blossom with rich and full results. God is waiting to hear us and challenges us to bring Him to do this thing by our praying. He is asking us, to-day, as He did His ancient Israel, to prove Him now herewith." Behind God's Word is God Himself, and we read: "Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, his Maker: Ask of me of things to come and concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command ye me." As though God places Himself in the hands and at the disposal of His people who pray - as indeed He does. The dominant element of all praying is faith, that is conspicuous, cardinal and emphatic. Without such faith it is impossible to please God, and equally impossible to pray.”

“From ancient times in both East and West, man's mind has been likened to a mirror. When something comes in front of it, it is reflected, but when the thing goes away, its image disappears without leaving a trace. Even though the mirror may reflect something dirty, it is not soiled. The mind is the same. If it is not enslaved to anything, it will reflect a thing exactly, but when the thing leaves, its form will not remain. The self is restored to a clean slate and returns to an absolutely new beginning, prepared to reflect accurately all things at any time.”