In the zazen posture, your mind and body have, great power…
““In the zazen posture, your mind and body have, great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable. In our scriptures (Samyuktagama Sutra, volume 33), it is said that there are four kinds of horses: excellent ones, good ones, poor ones, and bad ones. The best horse will run slow and fast, right and left, at the driver's will, before it sees the shadow of the whip; the second best will run as well as the first one does, just before the whip reaches its skin; the third one will run when it feels pain on its body; the fourth will run after the pain penetrates to the marrow of its bones. You can imagine how difficult it is for the fourth one to learn how to run!””
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 uses horse metaphors to illustrate levels of discipline and responsiveness in meditation practice.
In simple terms: Different levels of control in meditation.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate mindful awareness without external force.
Themes
mindfulness
discipline
spirituality
practice
Mood
calm
instructive
Type
spiritual
educational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- stress management
- teaching
- personal development
Key Concepts
Buddhist teachings
metaphor
self‑mastery
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice without needing external prompts?
- What “whip” do you rely on?
A Different Perspective
Over‑control can stifle natural flow.