Because of our true nature, it is possible for us to think things in various way and act various way. So, the last stage can be the first one. And next stage where you can act is because you firmly believe in attainment of the Buddha you can act without any doubt. So that will be the second stage, the stage where you can emotionally follow the way will be the second stage, when you believe in actual Buddha who attained enlightenment three thousand years ago [sic], you see. If you believe in him emotionally, you can believe in Buddha's way, and you can intellectualize his teaching more. In this way, back and forth, there's many possibilities in our practice. The first stage may be the last stage, and last stage may be the first one. So actually, there is no stage [laughs, laughter]. I am intellectualizing for, you know, some way to help you, that's all [laughs]. So actually, I don't know which is right order, starting from actual Buddha to the third stage, or starting from the believing in the absolute nature which we originally have, and—and then intellectual understanding, and then emotional activity, emotional practice which your emotion follows. Or until your emotional activity follows your practice, or follows your intellectual understanding you practice. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-08-20 - as found on shunryusuzuki.com, from one of the newly discovered (2021) lecture tapes. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. Go to https://www.instagram.com/cuke_archives/ for more daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo
