
David Chadwick (editor), Shunryu Suzuki (teacher)
A heartfelt collection of Shunryu Suzuki's Zen teachings emphasizing present-moment practice and everyday mindfulness.
Shunryu Suzuki was instrumental in establishing Zen practice in America during the 1960s and 70s.
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Section 1
6 Sections
As we begin this journey into the heart of Zen,
Imagine yourself sitting by a gently flowing stream in a serene garden, the water moving continuously yet always present. This stream is like your mind—always in motion, yet accessible moment by moment if you simply observe. When asked 'What now?' the response is clear: 'Now is now.' This simple statement holds the key to Zen practice. It reminds us that our practice is not preparation for some future event but the living reality of each breath and each step.
There is a story of a student approaching the teacher and asking, 'What now?' The teacher replies, 'Don’t ask me. Now is now. You have your now. I have my now.' This exchange encapsulates the essence of Zen: each person’s moment is complete and beyond question and answer. It teaches us to trust our own experience rather than seeking external validation or answers.
In this way, Zen invites us to awaken to the immediacy of life,
As we move forward, we will explore how this immediacy shapes the practice of zazen and the cultivation of the 'big mind,' a state of expansive awareness that transcends the small ego-centered mind.
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Discover the power of approaching life with a fresh, open mind through the timeless teachings of Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki.
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