Celebrating Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

 

12.04.2020 CELEBRATING ZEN MIND, BEGINNER’S MIND “People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why.” So begins Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s famous book, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.  For half a century, this classic collection of teachings has found its way onto the bookshelves of people seeking a clear picture of the mind and its habits. No book before (nor, arguably, since) has so distinctly explained the path and motivation of Zen. In this beloved text, Suzuki Roshi provides a way to navigate life with honesty and wisdom, needing only the right attitude, the right understanding, and the determination to practice. In partnership with the San Francisco Zen Center, Lion’s Roar is hosting an online celebration of Suzuki Roshi’s teaching to mark the 50-year anniversary of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’s publication. Join Peter Coyote, Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Norman Fischer and other Zen luminaries to learn how to practice in the Suzuki Roshi style of attending to the true spirit of Zen and, go deep into his teachings on fundamental Buddhist concepts like non-duality, right effort, emptiness, and mindfulness.  Below, we offer three teachings from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind as well as an additional lesson on enlightenment by Suzuki Roshi. We hope you find them helpful in your practice. Register for the in-depth online learning series today!  —Ross Nervig, audience engagement editor, LionsRoar.com

The Enduring Teachings of Suzuki Roshi For the fiftieth anniversary of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s famed book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, we present two teachings from the book and testimonials from Buddhist teachers who have been influenced by it. Over a period of just twelve years, from his arrival in the United States in 1959 until his death in 1971, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi made a profound and enduring mark on the practice of Zen in the West. Through him, Americans came to know the approach of the Soto tradition, with its quiet emphasis on zazen and sitting as buddha, beyond goals. With his students, he founded San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, one of the first Buddhist monasteries outside Asia. But with the publication of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, he established a conversation with the culture at large, one that continues to this day.

Shunryu Suzuki explains how to practice zazen Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind is the seminal work by San Francisco Zen Center founder Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. In this chapter alone he explains: how to practice zazen, the difference between small and big mind, and the true nature of thoughts. When you are practicing Zazen, do not try to stop your thinking. Let it stop by itself. If something comes into your mind, let it come in, and let it go out. It will not stay long. When you try to stop your thinking, it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, gradually they will become calmer and calmer. In five or at most ten minutes, your mind will be completely serene and calm. At that time your breathing will become quite slow, while your pulse will become a little faster.

Wherever You Are, Enlightenment Is There “Even in our imperfect practice enlightenment is there,” says Suzuki Roshi,”We just don’t know it.” In our practice the most important thing is to realize that we have buddhanature. Intellectually we may know this, but it is rather difficult to accept. Our everyday life is in the realm of good and bad, the realm of duality, while buddhanature is found in the realm of the absolute where there is no good and no bad. There is a twofold reality. Our practice is to go beyond the realm of good and bad and to realize the absolute. It may be rather difficult to understand.

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