When we are satisfied with our attainment, moment after moment, with some improvement, we have there composure of life. We have satisfaction. In our way there is no idea of complete success—complete enlightenment. And yet we have some ideals, but we should note that an ideal is something which can’t be reached. Because you cannot reach it, it's an ideal. So, ideal is ideal, and reality is reality. Now, we should have both reality and ideals, or else we cannot do anything. So, both ideals and reality will help our practice.
—Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 68-06-29 - as found on
shunryusuzuki.com
edited by PF. Go to
instagram.com/cuke_archives or cuke.com/ig
for links to the full Shunryu Suzuki lecture and the source of the photo.
Apple picking with Suzuki - Tassajara, Summer 1968