Zen

Zen

The practice of Zen meditation or Zazen (座禅 - za meaning sitting, and Zen meaning meditation in Japanese), is the core of Zen Buddhism: without it, the is no Zen. Zen meditation, is a way of vigilance and self-discovery which is practiced while sitting on a meditation cushion. It is the experience of living from moment to moment, in the here and now. It is through the practice of Zazen that Gautama got enlightened and became the Buddha.

Zazen is an attitude of spiritual awakening, which when practiced, can become the source from which all the actions of daily life flow - eating, sleeping, breathing, walking, working, talking, thinking, and so on.

Fuyu

Teaching of selflessness. Because each existence is in constant change there is no abiding self in fact , the self-nature of each existence is nothing but change itself, the self-nature of all existence. There is no special separate self nature for each existence this is called the teaching of Nirvana. when we realize the ever lasting truth of everything changes and find our composure in it we find ourselves in Nirvana.

Suzuki

You must put confidence in the big mind with is always with you. You should be able to appreciate things as an expression of big mind this is more that faith. This is ultimate truth which you cannot reject.

Suzuki

When you are ready to accept things as they are,  you will receive them as old friends, even though you appreciate them with new feeling.

Suzuki

Teaching of selflessness. Because each existence is in constant change there is no abiding self in fact, the self -nature of each existence is nothing but change itself, the self-nature of all existence. There is no special separate self nature for each existence, this is called the teaching of Nirvana. when we realize the ever lasting truth of everything changes and find our composure in it we find ourselves in Nirvana.

Suzuki

It is very important for you to change your way of thinking and accept the truth of transiency

in calmness there should be activity and activity there should be calmness.

Suzuki

Concentration means freedom. So your effort should be directed on nothing. Concentrated of your breathing the way to keep your mind on your breathing but the way to keep your mind on your breathing is to forget all about yourself and just to sit and feel your breathing.

Suzuki

Zazen practice is the practice in which we resume out pure way of life, beyond any gaining idea and beyond fame and profit.

Suzuki

For us there is no need to understand Zen.  We are practicing Zazen.

If you take pride in your attainment or become discouraged because of your idealistic effort your practice will confine you by a thick wall. See Buddha nature in various beings and in in every one of us.

But we must not be attached to America, or Buddhism or even to our practice. We must have beginner's mind, free from possessing anything. A mind that knows everything is in flowing change.

One can not grasp what has no existence.

Shunryu Suzuki quotes are from the Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki...

https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Mind-by-Shunryu-Suzuki.pdf

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell

Zen Buddhism is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China and later spread to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other countries in East Asia. It emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness and the practice of meditation as a means to achieve enlightenment and realization of one's true nature. Zen is known for its emphasis on direct, intuitive understanding and its emphasis on the experiential nature of enlightenment. It is also known for its use of paradoxes, koans (riddles or puzzles that are meant to challenge the mind and help one to see beyond the limitations of the ego), and other methods to help practitioners break through their preconceptions and arrive at a deeper understanding of reality. Zen teachings often emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating a compassionate and open-minded approach to life.