A sharp, no-BS Zen guide. This book reminded me of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations — short, quote-like reflections on life, ego, illusion, and the practice of being truly present.
Some parts felt a bit extreme, but who am I to judge – I haven't sat my 30 years in zazen yet.
A few quotes that stuck with me:
- “The more you do for others, the more you gain for your own life. The more you do for yourself, the more you lose control over it.”
- “Realize that you weren’t born by your own effort, you don’t breathe by your own strength, and you’re not even the one making your heart beat.”
- “However good you feel — remember it’s just a passing mood. However bad you feel — same thing, just a passing mood. No need to take it all so seriously.”
- “If you tell yourself life will be fun, it will be. If you believe you’ll suffer, then you’ll suffer.”