if your life is based on the idea of self, what you do will not be successful in its true sense. You will be successful in one way, but on the other you are causing some conflict. So, to work without idea of self is very, very important point. It is much more important than to make a good decision. Even though you make a good decision, if that decision is based on a one-sided idea of self, what you do will create some difficulties for yourself and for others. --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 65-12-11-A - as found on shunryusuzuki.com, from one of the newly discovered (2021) or recently significantly added to or changed 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