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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Negative

Student F: The word “negative” leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. It has very bad associations with me, and I think it does with a lot of people. 

SR: Mm-hmm.


Student F: I don't really quite understand what you mean when you say “negative.”
SR: If the word “negative” creates bad feeling, it's all the better [laughs, laughter]. It is not a matter of you like the teaching or not. What I mean is actual experience. So it is necessary for you to open your mind to your true nature. You see, as long as you are trying to ignore one side, I don't think you can understand our true nature. What will happen if you die? That is the most negative experience [laughs]. But whether you like it or not, you will die someday [laughs]. Remember-- just remember what I said and open your eyes, be more and more careful or more alert. And more careful with (dead space in tape starts here).------------------------------------------------------------------ Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-09-00-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Many Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts on cuke.com - from there links to much more. Going slowly through Suzuki transcripts featuring whatever is next that seems okay.