People may say if the purpose of Zen is to see
“things as it is,” then there is no need to practice. That is the big problem.
I think in your everyday life, the root practice may be to raise flowers or to
grow your garden. That is, I think, the best practice. You know, when you sow a
seed, you have to wait for the seed to come up. And if it comes up, you have
take care of it. That is our practice. Just to sow a seed is not enough. To
take care of it day after day is very important for the good gardener. For a gardener, it is necessary to take care of the garden every
day. Even though you have finished making that garden, it is necessary to take
care of it. So I think our way is nearly the same as making your own garden, or
raising some vegetables or flowers. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-09-08 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.
