Even in zazen you will lose yourself. When you become…
““Even in zazen you will lose yourself. When you become sleepy, or when your mind starts to wander about, you lose yourself. When your legs become painful—“Why are my legs so painful?”—you lose yourself. ” - “You just sit in the midst of the problem; when you are a part of the problem, or when the problem is a part of you, there is no problem, because you are the problem itself. The problem is you yourself. If this is so, there is no problem.” - “When you start to wander about in some delusion which is something apart from you yourself, then your surroundings are not real anymore, and your mind is not real anymore. If you yourself are deluded, then your surroundings are also a misty, foggy delusion. Once you are in the midst of delusion, there is no end to delusion. You will be involved in deluded ideas one after another. Most people live in delusion, involved in their problem, trying to solve their problem. But just to live is actually to live in problems. And to solve the problem is to be a part of it, to be one with it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage explains that in deep meditation, the sense of self dissolves, and that problems arise when we separate ourselves from reality; recognizing our unity with the problem ends the problem itself.
In simple terms: Meditation dissolves self; seeing problems as part of you ends them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize unity with challenges to dissolve them.
Themes
mindfulness
self‑realization
non‑duality
problem‑solving
Mood
calm
reflective
insightful
Type
philosophical
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Meditation practice
- stressful work
- conflict resolution
- personal crisis
- creative block
Key Concepts
Zen Buddhism
ego dissolution
perception
delusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing a problem as part of yourself change your response?
- What practices help maintain the sense of unity?
A Different Perspective
If you cling to a separate self, you may never truly resolve underlying issues.