Enslaved

We are doing something always in relation to something else. But we should not be enslaved by it. There is a difference between being enslaved by it and having a good relationship. When you are enslaved by it, what you do is not pure enough, realistic enough. Something is in it between you: rules or idea or idea of self. “I am doing something” actually means, I am enslaved by “me,” idea of “me.” So, we should be more realistic.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

No Rules

If you fail at serving tea, you should think about why, without making some excuse. You failed anyway, you know. So, what should you do to not fail again? There are no rules but to be aware of what you are doing. Do you understand?

City Center - in Suzuki’s dokusan and study room with Yvonne Rand c. 1970

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Aware

That you have a problem means you have not yet [taps with stick] surrendered enough. Something is there, you know. You should not attach to it, or you should not be bothered by it, or you should not be satisfied with it, whatever it is, or you should not try to avoid it because it is there [taps several times]. So, you should be aware of that problem and why you have that kind of problem [taps several times].

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Suzanne Suarez Hurley heard Shunryu Suzuki give lectures in 1969 then joined Steve Gaskin as a founding member of The Farm in Tennessee. She practiced with Dainin Katagiri in Minneapolis and at the SF Zen Center with Richard Baker. She started a sitting group in Florida where she practiced law. Through the years she has continued her connection to Zen and The Farm. Listen to our podcast and read more about her - http://cuke.com/f.

Surrender

We say “absolute surrender.” But you have nothing to surrender. If you have something to surrender, it is a usual way. But we have nothing to surrender. You should always find out yourself.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Like a Child

You should be like a child who draws things whether they are good or bad. Sometimes you will do things without much reason. If that is difficult, you are not actually ready to practice zazen.

Monica Linde, Eliot and Lethe Walters, and Jane Westberg outside of the Tassajara school-house.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Fundamental Attitude

In this sesshin I feel very sorry that I cannot help you so much. But the way you study true Zen is not through some verbal things. You should open yourself, and you should give up everything. Anyway, you should try, whether you think it is good or bad. This is the fundamental attitude to study.

Shunryu Suzuki lecturing in old Tassajara zendo 1967

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Try Various Ways

If possible, we should give instructions one-by-one. But because that is difficult, we give some lectures like this [laughs]. But you shouldn’t stick to a lecture. You should think more about what I really mean. So, for the beginner, maybe instruction is necessary, but for advanced students, we don’t give so much instruction, and they should try various ways.

Fall Practice Period 1984

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Without Any Rules or Prejudice

When I got up twenty minutes earlier than the handbell came, I was scolded. “Don’t get up so early! You will disturb my sleep.” Usually if I got up earlier it was good, but for my teacher it was not good [laughs]. When you try to understand things better, without any rules or prejudice, then that means selflessness.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

A Good Chance To Practice

Under bad circumstances you may easily give up. But in such cases, you should try hard. How should you practice, for instance, if you are very sleepy? “Oh, maybe better not to practice zazen. Maybe better to rest.” Yeah, sometimes it is better, but at the same time, that may a good chance to practice.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the photo. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 69-03-15 as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.