No Good

Usually, we say even though your zazen is not good, that is true zazen. “Don’t worry,” [laughs] we may say. This may give you some encouragement, but in its true sense, when the teacher says this, we are not so kind. When I want to be kind to you, I should say, “No, that’s no good!” [laughs]. That may be better to encourage you. If I say, “That is good,” then you may give up your effort. Nothing will come from your practice. But when we say, “That’s not good,” then something will come up from that “no good.” So, “no good” is very important.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.

Do Your Best

Don’t be concerned about what your teacher may say about your practice. He may say, “Your practice is not good!” [Laughs.] He may say so, but it’s all right. You have to do it; you have to sit with all your strength. You have to do your best.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.

Just Sit

So, when you practice, the way of true practice is not to attain enlightenment. Anyway, you should sit through and through without having any idea. Don’t be concerned about enlightenment [laughs]. You should just sit.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.

Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.

Also, this sutra says, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” Form is emptiness. Emptiness is to point at the form itself. When we say, “Form is emptiness” it means form is form, through and through. “Emptiness is form,” it means emptiness, through and through. So, form is nothing but emptiness. Emptiness is nothing but form.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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 Understanding of Practice

It is not after you practice zazen, that you attain enlightenment. So, enlightenment includes practice, and practice includes enlightenment. This is the right understanding of our practice. And right understanding of reality.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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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At the Same Time

You do not attain enlightenment after Buddha, or before Buddha. When you attain enlightenment, Buddha attains enlightenment, and the rest of the patriarchs attain enlightenment at the same time. This is the right understanding of enlightenment.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.

When Each Experience Includes Everything

Everything which will happen in your mind is not a part of your experience. Each of your images or functions is mind which includes everything. And so, each experience is independent from other experiences. And when each experience includes everything, every experience, that is Zen practice. That means you have independent practice, one whole practice which includes everything.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.

Mind

When we say, “mind,” mind includes everything. That is a true understanding of your mind. Mind includes everything. So, in your practice, if you have a mind that is related to something else, that is not a true understanding of your mind. When you say, “mind,” mind should include everything.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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

When we say, “nose,” nose covers everything. When we say, “eyes,” eyes covers everything. That is the way to understand things in its true sense. When you understand something as a part of something, you lose the reality. You lose the relationship between things, and you just get a dead idea of something. So, our understanding of everything is not everything as a part of something. Everything includes the rest of the things. That is true understanding.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-01-21-BN 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.