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.
Without air, we cannot breathe. Each one of us is
in the midst of myriads of worlds. We are in
the center of the world always,
moment after moment.
The point we emphasize is
strong confidence in our
original nature.
Concentration is not
to try hard to watch something.
In zazen, if you try to look at one spot,
you will be tired in about five minutes. This is
not concentration. Concentration means freedom.
So, your effort should be directed at nothing. You should
be concentrated on nothing. In zazen practice we say that
your mind should be concentrated on your breathing,
but the way to keep your mind concentrated
on your breathing is to forget all about
yourself and just to sit and feel
your breathing.
…If you
continue this practice,
eventually you will experience the
true existence which comes
from emptiness.
Without any
intentional, fancy way
of adjusting yourself, to express
yourself as you are is the most
important thing.
To Shine One Corner of the World
A student who
had just concluded a thirty-day
zazen retreat with two enthusiastic dharma pals
asked Suzuki Roshi how to maintain the
extraordinary state of mind
he’d attained.
“Concentrate on your
breathing and it will go away,”
Suzuki said.