Finding the meaning and purpose of life can be hard sometimes. We spend too much time working and being busy till we forgot what we really desire in life. Fortunately, we have an incredible Japanese Zen Master call D.T. Suzuki. He was one of the most well-known Zen Buddhist teachers that brought Zen philosophy to people who were trying to find the meaning of life. Here are 3 mind-blowing lessons from a Japanese Zen Master.
Expose to nature
“Modern life seems to recede further and further away from nature, and closely connected with this fact we seem to be losing the feeling of reverence towards nature. It is probably inevitable when science and machinery, capitalism and materialism go hand in hand so far in a most remarkably successful manner. Mysticism, which is the life of religion in whatever sense we understand it, has come to be relegated altogether in the background. Without a certain amount of mysticism there is no appreciation for the feeling of reverence, and, along with it, for the spiritual significance of humility. Science and scientific technique have done a great deal for humanity, but as far as our spiritual welfare is concerned we have not made any advances over that attained by our forefathers. In fact, we are suffering at present the worst kind of unrest all over the world.” – D.T. Suzuki
The present moment is what’s important
“The idea of Zen is to catch life as it flows. There is nothing extraordinary or mysterious about Zen. I raise my hand; I take a book from the other side of the desk; I hear the boys playing ball outside my window; I see the clouds blown away beyond the neighboring wood: — in all these, I am practicing Zen, I am living Zen. No wordy discussions are necessary, nor any explanation. I do not know why — and there is no need of explaining, but when the sun rises the whole world dances with joy and everybody’s heart is filled with bliss. If Zen is at all conceivable, it must be taken hold of here.” – D.T. Suzuki
Our life shouldn’t be complicated. All we have to do is to focus on the present. We shouldn’t worry about the past as it’s already gone, and the future hasn’t even arrived yet.
Know yourself
“Zen purposes to discipline the mind itself, to make it its own master, through an insight into its proper nature. This getting into the real nature of one’s own mind or soul is the fundamental object of Zen Buddhism. Zen, therefore, is more than meditation and Dhyana in its ordinary sense. The discipline of Zen consists in opening the mental eye in order to look into the very reason of existence.” – D.T. Suzuki
Learning about ourselves is very crucial as it will help us to understand who we are and what we really want in life. One of the best ways to reveal our true identity is through meditation. It will teach you to become an observer of your mind.
