Best Zen-Based Sayings

The Top Ten
1 Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water

I feel bad for the wood.

2 At the still-point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things
3 When something dies is the greatest teaching

This harsh but it's true.

4 When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself
5 If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present

Interesting. I mostly live in the present but I'm living in all of them lol.

Interesting list topic.

6 Rest and be kind, you don’t have to prove anything
7 There is no mistake in nature

Dang that's accurate.

8 What we call “I” is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale

Whenever I think of swinging doors I get anxious because I don't wanna destroy my toes that deserve to be protected.

9 Let go, or be dragged
10 Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace

People hate school but they don't realise how important education is. I used to think that too.

The Contenders
11 When thoughts arise, then do all things arise. When thoughts vanish, then do all things vanish
12 The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness
13 Wherever you are, it’s the place you need to be
14 Still your waters
15 Relax. Nothing’s missing
16 Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water.
17 I don’t mind what happens. That is the essence of inner freedom

This is why I don't make plans, not everything will go our way and I usually go with flow because life is unexpected. In my opinion if life was planned and stuff it would be boring.

18 Forget the years, forget distinctions. Leap into the boundless and make it your home
19 When one first seeks the truth, one separates oneself from it
20 Don’t seek, don’t search, don’t ask, don’t knock, don’t demand – relax
21 Zen is not an art, it’s not a religion. It’s a realisation
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