Hello everyone,

I just finished reading No Beginning, No End by Jakusho Kwong (successor of Suzuki-roshi) and there is a quote by Hoitsu Suzuki-roshi (on the first page!), Shunryu Suzuki's son, that I thought explains our practice in a simple, but powerful way.

"When the sun first comes up and shines on you, he said, your shadow is big behind you. But as you continue to sit, your shadow gets smaller and smaller, until finally it's just Buddha sitting there.

This is a very important quote. It's not about intellectual knowledge of Zen. The practice is what's important. Sitting without any judgements, expectations, or thoughts on "good" or "bad." We sit with all the problems and stresses of this life; but eventually, it's just Buddha sitting there.

Gassho to everyone in the Sangha,

Adam