Finding your best self can feel impossible when anxiety and stress weigh you down. But don’t worry! Zen master Shunryu Suzuki has some great advice to help you find calm.
Have you ever tried to control your thoughts? You might have noticed that this often leads to even more thoughts crowding your mind. It’s like trying to put out a fire with more fire!
Wisdom from Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki
Suzuki teaches that to achieve true calm, you shouldn’t stress over the images or thoughts that pop into your mind. Let them come and go freely. When you allow your thoughts the space to exist without judgment, they naturally become easier to manage.
Think of yourself as a casual observer rather than a strict judge of your thoughts. You don’t need to suppress them or control them.
Zen master Annamalai Swami adds, “If you can notice each thought as it arises and remain indifferent, it won’t take root or grow. This way, you can escape the mind’s traps.”
The Key Principle: Embrace Change
Suzuki emphasizes that accepting change is vital. “Without accepting that everything is changing, we can’t find true calm,” he says. Although we know this is true, accepting it can be hard. We often cling to our fixed ideas of ourselves, our bodies, and our personalities. When those change, we feel pain.
But Suzuki reminds us that our thoughts are always shifting. If you recognize that everything in your mind comes and goes, you can let go of fear, anger, and despair. You won’t stay angry once you see anger for what it truly is. Zen teaches that this very moment is all that matters.
“Whatever you do should flow from your deep self. Appreciate every action without waiting for something more,” Suzuki advises.
The Essence of Zen Practice
Appreciating each moment with your whole being is at the heart of Zen practice. Expressing your true nature in daily life captures the essence of Suzuki’s teachings. “We simply think with our whole minds and see things as they are. This effortless act of seeing is a form of Zen practice,” he explains.
By embracing this mindset, you can cultivate a deeper sense of peace and presence in your life.
