Zen quotes: Why Don't They Make Sense?

You might think some Zen quotes just don't make sense. Often the first sentence seems to contradict the next. I don't blame you if you find this confusing! So do I....

But that's the point.

Zen teachers often used these contradictions to trigger a change in a student's perception.

The Zen master's aim?

Satori - or Sudden Enlightenment.

As usual I like to ask - Can this help us?

I've found the answer is yes.

Reading these Zen quotes and Koans can shift the way you look at things. They won't all do this. But they'll be some that can for each of us.....

I'm not talking about obvious or "amazing " effects. Just subtle changes. Maybe a slight relaxation . Releasing tension you've been holding for some time.....

Sometimes a little change goes a long way. So you might notice some surprising effects in your life.

Don't worry if this isn't totally clear yet. I'll come back to these themes throughout the site.

Why not read these Zen quotes. Take your time. Then try out one of the easy meditation techniques .

7 Zen Quotes From Huang Po

Huang Po - a Zen master born over a thousand years ago in China - was a great exponent of this method.

He said enlightenment was a silent mind with no conceptual thinking.

And he's always pushing home this point in his writing.

Here are 7 examples. See what you think ....

1. People are scared to empty their minds fearing that they will be engulfed by the void. What they don't realize is that their own mind is the void.
2. When thoughts arise, then do all things arise. When thoughts vanish, then do all things vanish.
3. The Buddha and all sentient beings are nothing but expressions of the one mind. There is nothing else.
4. Once you stop arousing concepts and thinking in terms of existence and non-existence, long and short, other and self, active and passive, and suchlike, you will find that your Mind is intrinsically the Buddha, that the Buddha is intrinsically Mind, and that Mind resembles a void.
5. The Mind is no other than the Buddha, and the Buddha is no other than sentient being. When the Mind assumes the form of a sentient being, it has suffered no decrease. When it has become a Buddha, it has added nothing to itself
6. The foolish reject what they see, not what they think. The wise reject what they think, not what they see
7. Throughout this life, you can never be certain of living long enough to take another breath.

Enjoyed these Zen Quotes?

Then read

• Meditation Quotes: Stories and Parables for Meditators.
• Meditation Quotes 12 of The Best
• Best Life Quotes
• Tao Quotes Inspiration for Life
• Tao Quotes The Art of Effortless Effort
• Zen Sayings: To Help You Meditate
• Buddhism Quotes.: For a Modern World
• Healing Quotes.

Or why not share YOUR Favourite Meditation Quote or story.

Return from Zen Quotes to Learning Modern Meditation

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