2. The First Step in the Mental Training. Some of the old…
““2. The First Step in the Mental Training. Some of the old Zen masters are said to have attained to supreme Enlightenment after the practice of Meditation for one week, some for one day, some for a score of years, and some for a few months. The practice of Meditation, however, is not simply a means for Enlightenment, as is usually supposed, but also it is the enjoyment of Nirvana, or the beatitude of Zen. It is a matter, of course, that we have fully to understand the doctrine of Zen, and that we have to go through the mental training peculiar to Zen in order to be Enlightened.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Zen meditation is presented as both a path to enlightenment and a source of joy, emphasizing that the practice itself is valuable, not merely a means to an end.
In simple terms: Meditation offers both enlightenment and enjoyment.
Key Takeaway
Practice meditation for its own sake.
Themes
Zen
meditation
enlightenment
joy
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily meditation
- seeking enlightenment
- cultivating inner peace
Key Concepts
spirituality
mindfulness
practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you enjoy the process of meditation?
- What does “beatitude of Zen” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Enlightenment may not be immediate or guaranteed.