Suzuki Shosan Quotes

When you manage to overcome your own mind, you overcome myriad concerns, rise above all things, and are free. When you are overcome by your own mind, you are burdened by myriad concerns, subordinate to things, unable to rise above. Mind your mind; guard it resolutely. Since it is the mind that confuses the mind, don’t let your mind give in to your mind.” - Suzuki Shosan

Suzuki Shosan writes in his Roankyo the following passages, some of which have been quoted before: In training in Zen in recent years many people seem to have forgotten that Zen includes a great spirit of bravery and great strength. Therefore, those who train in Zen become tender-hearted, admirable-looking, desireless, and good-natured, but somehow they become divested of the will to respond to any unfavorable stimuli angrily enough to say, “Damn it!