Featured Cuke Archives page

https://www.cuke.com/dchad-writ/dc-writings-index.html

Obstacle

If there is some obstacle, it may be easy to take it away, but actually there is no obstacle [laughs]. The only obstacle which exists is the obstacle which does not exist…. You cannot compare enlightenment with some other stuff…. Not an obstacle, but the way to reach is not right. You are finding a fish on the tree [laughs]. That is an obstacle.

Image generated by Leonardo.ai

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

No Way

In that center we exist, you know. But if you try to understand you yourself, there is no way to reach you yourself. Even though you suffer and struggle, even if you spend your whole life to reach to yourself, it is impossible. So I think someone who thinks he attained perfect enlightenment may be crazy [laughs].

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Holiness

The West tried for a long time to remove the idea of holiness and to establish human authority in the intellectual realm. And they thought it would disappear, but fortunately or unfortunately it didn’t [laughs]. So the idea of holiness itself is still—not a question, but they found out it is impossible to give an interpretation to it. It is like there is no way to catch it. If it is on the surface, it may be easy to pick it up. But it is so bottomless, and it is too deep to reach. But still, we know it. We should acknowledge it, but it is impossible to take it up.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

No Idea

There is no idea of buddha-nature or for buddha-nature. But there are many ideas of many things. So we count, or we quantify various ideas one by one. Then something which is left [laughs] is an idea of buddha-nature.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Struggle

If you do not have the idea of buddha-nature or inmost request, you have to be concerned with some visible rules, and you have to be attached to something. That will not work so good. So the best thing is to confront your problem. That is the best way. And to suffer and to struggle [laughs] is the best way. Then you will have deeper and deeper religious experience.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Discipline

Student: What attitude can we take towards disciplining ourselves? 

Suzuki: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That’s very good question. And it is difficult to know by yourself, actually. So that is why it is better to practice with people. If there is a set of rules or an explanation, it may be easier. But unfortunately, we are not all the same. So the practice is for you, and you are practicing. So strictly speaking, there is no rule and no standard to say this is good or bad, right or wrong. That is why we emphasize buddha-nature.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Podcasts Page

Here, Now

Enlightenment should not be cut off from “me,” you know. “Ten years ago, I attained enlightenment, but it doesn’t work today” [laughter]. That was enlightenment ten years ago. It is impossible to cut off the enlightenment from my life and give the enlightenment to someone else. That is impossible. Enlightenment should be here, now, in this moment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

The Oneness of a Human Being

The most important thing is to realize the oneness of a human being. Sometimes people do two opposite things. On one hand [laughing], they work for civil rights, and on the other hand, they are doing something opposite. This kind of mistake is pretty common. So, even though a movement is good, it should not be cut off from our everyday life. As a part of everyday life, we should participate in the movement. Then the movement will be successful. Only to join the movement on Saturday or Sunday [laughing] to make a procession—that’s not so good, I think.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Best Way

I think Buddhists should have deep concern about peace movements. Buddhists should be concerned if it is right. But we should not mix up just an organization itself and our true desire to help others. And the best way may be to allow the true spirit of a peace movement for people in its true sense. So, the most important thing is to spread Buddhism—to make people know what is Buddhism is the best way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Fear of Death

For a religious mind there is no fear of death. The fear of death exists in the realm of thinking or emotions. When you attach to something, for instance, that is the beginning of the fear of death. When you attach to your body, that is fear of death. And when you don’t know what will become of you, you will become very uneasy. That is fear of death. But for a person who has become aware of their inmost request or inmost nature or absolute nature, that is a more important thing than a physical body. It is so. When you are not serious enough, you fear death. But when you become very serious about yourself, you will not be afraid of losing your body.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

David Chadwick - Tricycle Obituary

https://tricycle.org/article/david-chadwick-has-died/

Understand Yourself

If you are confronting the problem you have, you will understand it. To understand you yourself is the most important thing. After that I don’t know! [Laughter.]

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Enlightened

If you understand enlightenment is something which is difficult to attain, that is wrong understanding. Did you understand what I said, and do you agree with what I am saying? Then you are enlightened. I think you are still, you know, thinking [laughter] or wondering—

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

For Everyone

This kind of story was told by Buddha so that people would not make any mistake about him. If he said, “I am the first one,” people would make a big mistake [laughter]. So, he said, “I am not the first one.” But at the same time, he said, “This is not the first time for me to attain enlightenment. I attained enlightenment many, many times.” It means his enlightenment is for everyone. Everyone has his enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Many Buddhas

Student: Was there enlightenment before the historical Buddha? 

Suzuki: Yeah, according to Buddha, there were. Before he himself there were six buddhas. 

Student: How about before the first? Was there enlightenment before him? 

Suzuki: Before him? I don’t know. [Laughs, laughter.] He counts many millions of years, but it means he is not the only person who will attain enlightenment. This is everyone’s consciousness. So, he is not the only buddha. There are many...

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Big Mistake

Student: If I were to take out a revolver and put a bullet in your head, for example, would that make me less of a human being?

Suzuki: A being with two legs and two hands, and thinking something is good or bad, half and half [laughs]—if you think that you will be protected as a human being, that is a big, big mistake. That is an abuse of human beings. It is treating human beings as the lowest enemy or creature. That’s awful.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Helping

Just rules themselves mean nothing to you. When you want to help others or protect others, you can help others. Then there is no reason why you protect others. It is the same thing as to help yourself, to protect yourself from danger. That is the pure bodhisattva’s way.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

David Chadwick Memorial Page

Founder and Poobah of Cuke Archives, 1945 - 2026

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Facebook Responses

David was the dedicated bodhisttava who kept us laughing and reminded all of us to not be so serious all the time. I remember sitting behind him in evening lecture that first summer and the only thing keeping him from falling over asleep was his full lotus. David you were always a good friend and you will be always missed. —Liz Wolf-Spada

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As my son said,"he is now in us." —Jane Okamura Sanders

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For more: The full Memorial Page on cuke.com

Yesterday's Post   |    (email to add to this memorial)

David Chadwick

David Chadwick returned to where we come from early Tuesday morning in a hospital in Bali, Indonesia, while being treated for cancer. He had been with his wife Katrinka and his son Kelly. Much more will be said of David in coming days. Please email your feelings and memories to share on David's Cuke Archives Memorial Page.
Gya te gya te.

I was going to leave it at that, but I want to say what a pleasure it has been helping David with Cuke Archives for many years. Although his passing was not totally unexpected, it happened much more quickly than we hoped. David was always working on various aspects of the archives. Kelly wrote, "with his characteristic grand spirit, he completed the Tassajara Stories 2 audio book and Freedom Songs, a short book on his time during the Civil Rights Movement the week before departing." A couple of days ago when he was too weak to continue his chemo therapy, he sent me a number of corrections that he wanted to make sure were included in the next volume of Tassajara Stories. So, I think David would be happy if we continue "Preserving the legacy of Shunryu Suzuki and those whose path cross his." -- Peter Ford, email: pf@cuke2.com

A Soldier?

Student: Would it be possible for a bodhisattva to be a soldier? Suzuki: No, I don’t think so. Because human life has absolute value. Here there is a contradiction between science and bodhisattva-mind. Because here you have to deny the idea of utility or science. This is very subtle and very interesting.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Please Support David Chadwick

Please support David Chadwick

by helping him pay his medical bills for cancer treatments.

Hello, my name is Marsha Angus.  Susan Chadwick (David’s sister) and I are starting this medical GoFundMe account for David, who was recently diagnosed with stage IV gastric nodal cancer, a low grade slow growing stomach cancer which has spread to nearby lymph nodes. David is in Bali, where he and his wife Katrinka live, and he is receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and HER2 targeted therapy treatment. David has Indonesian national medical insurance, but it does not cover this kind of treatment, which is very expensive.

As you may know, David has spent decades preserving and archiving Shunryu Suzuki’s teachings and history, the core of Cuke Archives: “Preserving the legacy of Shunryu Suzuki and those whose path cross his.” Cuke Archives focuses not only on Suzuki himself, but also on the stories of the students who lived and practiced with him, as well as many who followed, and many others beyond just students.

Contributions to Cuke Archives have enabled this project and basic living costs to be covered, but they are tax deductible and cannot be applied to large medical bills. Up to now only a personal check to David has been applicable to such charges. Thus, a GoFundMe account has been created and is being administered by his sister, Susan Chadwick.

One major supporter and a few others have donated enough to cover the first three months. There are four three-month cycles of treatment scheduled for this year, each one costing approximately $15,000.

David is facing a challenging road ahead and needs support to pay these bills, so that he can continue work on books that are close to being finished, including the third volume of Tassajara Stories. The first volume was published by Monkfish last September and the second volume is coming out in September 2026, both with audiobooks he produced. And David has more he wishes to accomplish beyond that.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference. If you are unable to give, please share this fundraiser on social media or however you can.

We are deeply grateful for your love, support and generosity during this difficult time. Let’s do what we can to help David keep going.

With gratitude,

Marsha Angus, old friend and dharma sister
www.gofundme.com/f/support-david-chadwicks-cancer-treatment-z5pgw

Criticize

As long as religions have absolute dogma, that is: “You should not do so. If you do so, you will be punished.” This is nearly the same as ethics. As long as the teaching is like this, when you want to study you cannot go further. But Buddhism allows discussing further. You can criticize more. There is no barrier. So, that is why people are interested in Buddhism because we have no borderline for religion.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Actual Reality

When we are confined to a scientific world, we have no chance to find actual reality. So, in that case they are not buddha because they don’t know it [laughs]. But when someone becomes aware of true reality beyond science—more actual reality than science, or one who finds out science does not satisfy them, they are buddha. That is enough, you know.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

“Buddha”

“Buddha” has many meanings. Historical Buddha is Buddha. A buddha who attained enlightenment is buddha. But in this case, to attain enlightenment does not mean he did not have buddha-nature before he attained enlightenment. He found out what he had. That is enlightenment. And this kind of person is an enlightened person.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Beyond

When we say “don't know” it means “beyond science or philosophy.” Science is the study of the shadow of actual life—the study of dead corpses [laughter]. So, we say “beyond.” But, it is ultimate truth—ultimate, not truth, but ultimate—something which does not need any explanation. Right there.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Religious Work

There is a clear distinction between social work and religious work. Social work is based on science and sociology. Of course, sociology is good. And, we should have sociology. But to help others in a religious sense is quite different from social work. So, what I mean is, working at a hospital is to help others. For a religious person, working at a hospital without changing anything is our practice. For those who understand the religious way, there is no sociology. Sociology [laughs] is, without changing anything, a religious activity for a person who knows how to help others. But, for those who do not understand religious life, sociology is just sociology. And, if you ignore religious life, it will not work properly. Some confusion will be created. So that is why all of us should have a religious life.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

To Help Others

In Zen “to help others” means we do not take it in a dualistic sense. “To help others” means to think of others as a part of you. Not “others” —not “you, yourself.” You think to help others is to help someone, some imperfect person helps people. But when we say, “to help others” in our sense, it means to consider people a part of you, or it is like your hands or your body. So, in this sense we help others.

Photo by L. S. Sleven, courtesy of the Monterey County Public Library, from The Double Cone Quarterly

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

A New Book by Reb Anderson

On Amazon

Featured Cuke Archives page

https://www.shunryusuzuki.com/ai-min-edits.htm

Help Others

Enlightened means, maybe, many things. And the word “enlightenment” is very wide. Enlightenment does not mean to attain perfection. Bodhisattva’s way is to help others, even before he saves himself. That is the bodhisattva’s way. So, the point is how to help others.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-C as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Best Spiritual Books of 2025

2025 Spirituality & Practice Award Winner

Tassajara Stories: A Sort of Memoir/Oral History of the First Zen Buddhist Monastery in the West — The First Year, 1967 By David Chadwick

www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/29706/tassajara-stories

Cuke page: https://www.cuke.com/ts/

Berkeley Zen Center to Install First Female Abbot on March 1st

Berkeley, CA – February 12, 2026 – The Berkeley Zen Center (BZC) is excited to announce a

historic moment in its nearly sixty years of practice with the installation of its first female abbot

on March 1st, 2026.

The new abbot, Linda Galijan, was ordained as a priest and given authority to teach and ordain

others by BZC’s first abbot Sojun Mel Weitsman. Weitsman founded BZC in 1967 along with

his teacher, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, author of the classic collection of essays, Zen Mind,

Beginners Mind. Hozan Alan Senauke succeeded Weitsman in 2021, having been picked by

Weitsman years before. Senauke died after a long illness in late 2024.

The BZC Board invited, and its membership chose, Galijan to be the Center’s third abbot. She

takes on the role after decades working in a range of healing capacities—as a professional

musician in classical, swing, and world-beat bands, a massage therapist, and a licensed clinical

psychologist. After establishing her Zen practice at BZC, Galijan lived at San Francisco Zen

Center (SFZC) and Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (TZMC), serving as President of SFZC, and

Director and Head of Practice at TZMC. She has led meditation intensives, given Dharma talks,

and taught classes at Zen centers around the country.

“Returning to my home temple during Hozan’s illness, I was expecting to stay for just a few

months to support the community. That stay was extended, bit by bit, and when Hozan ultimately

passed and BZC needed a new abbot, I wanted to stay and support BZC during the next chapter,”

says Galijan. “As abbot, my intention is to provide a sense of continuity between the strengths

and values of BZC’s past and the possibilities for renewal and growth, which includes finding

ways to respond to these turbulent times grounded in wisdom and compassion.”

A humble but venerable home for Soto Zen practice in the Bay Area, BZC aims to welcome all

who come through the gate, inviting beginners and mature students to delve into practice and

take the teachings into their everyday lives.

“So many organizations struggle after the founder is gone. But BZC is thriving,” said Colleen

Busch, BZC Board President. “Women have always held leadership and practice positions at

BZC, but never abbot. Linda has a naturally open, encouraging, settled presence that I know will

bring benefit, not only to BZC but to the wider community.”

The installation ceremony will be held at BZC. It is not open to the public, though it will be

livestreamed through the website: www.berkeleyzencenter.org.

About Berkeley Zen Center

Rooted in the Soto Zen lineage established in America by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Berkeley Zen

Center offers a variety of programs, including zazen (meditation), retreats, classes, Dharma talks,

and a residential program. The Center is dedicated to supporting individuals to walk the path of

1liberation through zazen and sangha (community) life, encouraging practitioners to build a solid

foundation and bring their practice into their lives.

For more information, please visit www.berkeleyzencenter.org.

Contact:

Colleen Busch

Board President

Berkeley Zen Center

(510) 845-2403

president@berkeleyzencenter.org

www.berkeleyzencenter.org 

Sesshin Is Mind

Activity will stop—the true activity of your life will be no more. So, if you do not catch it when you are active, how can you catch it? And there is a way to catch it. That is our practice. That is sesshin. Sesshin is mind. To catch our true mind is sesshin. This mind cannot be caught by thinking or feeling. It is too late. So, moment after moment, to watch your breathing, to watch your posture is to dwell on your true nature. There is no secret beside this point.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Right There

There is no need even to read one page of a book. There is no need even to listen to this. It is here. Before a fish comes, there is fish [laughs]. In the Sandokai it says, “Before the night has gone, the dawn is here.” When you are waiting for dawn, dawn is here; you are there, right there. Your true mind is right there. When you are wandering, the true mind is right there. When you are suffering, the true mind is right there, with suffering.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Catch It

When the Second Chinese Patriarch saw Bodhidharma, and confessed his shameful mind, Bodhidharma said, “Bring me a shameful mind. Catch the shameful mind.” He said, “I cannot catch it.” Of course, [laughs] no one can catch it. It is a shadow. How can you catch a shadow? So, he said, “I cannot catch it.” And Bodhidharma said, “The confession is over.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

This Moment

It is inevitable for us to have shadows. But to step on your shadow [laughs] is impossible. How can you catch your shadow? If you try to step on your shadow, the shadow will be ahead of you. If you go one step behind, the shadow will be behind you. It is impossible. It is foolish to think “future” or “past.” Why don’t you catch yourself in this moment? When you are doing something, you are there. You are too attached to visible things.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Shadows of the Mind

If you firmly believe in scientific truth, and are caught by the scientific way of life, you have no idea what true mind is. You are always chasing after a shadow of the mind. A philosophical interpretation or psychological interpretation of your mind is just a shadow of the mind, but you firmly believe in it. So, you mistake LSD for enlightenment [laughs]. If the Sixth Patriarch were here, he might say, “With such people I cannot talk.”

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

Everything

So, in your practice, whether that practice is good or bad, perfect or imperfect, when this kind of mind is at work, your practice is the practice of enlightenment. Your practice includes everything, within and without. The whole world is your home, and everything belongs to you.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

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Nothing But Fish

In this case, the vast sky is my home. There is no bird and no air. Air and bird are one. So Dogen Zenji says, “Bird flies like a bird; fish swims like a fish. Water is its home. And when it swims in the water, it is water and a fish—there is nothing but fish. All the water belongs to him. And when he can swim everywhere, it means he can think. That thinking is right thinking. Logical thinking or analytical thinking, is not true thinking.

Photo by Andrew Atkeison

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

That “I”

Before you see buddha-nature, you see your mind. You watch your mind. When you watch your mind, when you say, “My zazen is very poor zazen” [laughs], here you have true nature. But you do not realize that is true nature. You ignore it—this is a silly mistake. There is immense importance in the “I” when you watch your mind. That “I” is not dead “I.” That “I” is always incessant activity. That “I” is always acting. That “I” is always swimming. That “I” is always flying through vast air with wings. By “wings,” I mean thinking and various activity. That “I” is flying through the vast sky.

Photo by Paul Lichtblau on pexels.com

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.

“I think, therefore I am.”

As Descartes says, “I think, therefore I am.” Here, “therefore I am”—that “I” is not just small mind. He could not deny that “I” which thinks, which watches water. That someone who is watching—you, who are watching water—is true nature itself. You think fish is true nature [laughing], but it is not. You are watching water. And that “you” cannot be denied. That is ultimate existence. And at the same time, that is universal existence. That is your “I,” and at the same time it includes everything.

Portrait after Frans Hals from Wikipedia

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 65-07-30-B as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. These posts are also on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. We are continually working on improving the quality of transcriptions of Suzuki's lectures. After a new "verbatim transcript" is made, we create a minimally edited version which is more readable. See the most recently completed transcripts at shunryusuzuki.com/n.