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Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Meaningful

Pat Herreshoff: Docho Roshi, I do not understand the meaning of my life. We have been given to understand that meaning is eternal. Is it possible for me to relate eternal meaning to this transient body?

SR: Yes it is possible, and eternal meaning is actually in your everyday life. So there is no need to figure out the meaning of life—especially for you. What you are doing is very good, so don’t try to figure out the meaning of your life. To me your life is meaningful, but I don’t know right now if it is meaningful for you. But however your life is meaningful, very meaningful, and that you are struggling with it is also meaningful. Don’t lose another aspect of your life. Don’t stick to one aspect only.

cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 68-11-11 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.