today’s zen: on details

“Our life is frittered away on detail…simplify, simplify.”
– Thoreau

“The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to.”
– Chuang-Tsu

“When you meet a master swordsman, show him your sword. When you meet a man who is not a poet, do not show him your poems.”
– Lin-Chin

today’s zen: on journeys and the provocations

“when you go, the road is rough. when you return, smooth.”
– thai proverb

“later never exists.”
– anonymous

“there is always a piece of fortune in misfortune.”
– japanese proverb

“why are we so frightened of what is? what is the good of running away if whatever we are is always there.”
– krishnamurti

“if you don’t have enough to eat, work on getting enough to eat. if you can’t keep warm in winter, work on getting sufficient clothing. if you don’t have enough time to enjoy yourself, work toward getting leisure time. but when you have enough, you should stop.”
– the book of lieh tzu

today’s zen – on foresight and potential

My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes.
– Sayen Shaku

We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
– Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
– Lao Tzu

today’s zen – on simplifying matters

“the point that’s emphasized is strong and confident.”
– shunryu suzuki

“enlightenment is the mind that sees into impermanence,”
– dogen

“freedom is free of plans and free of cares.”
– bodhidharma