--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The rocks are where they are- and this is…" description: "\"The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly- this is their will. Human beings talk- th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/d-t-suzuki-8748_action_the-rocks-are-where-they-are-and-this-is_2557515.jpg" --- # The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The… ![“The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly- this is their will. Human beings talk- this is their will. The seasons change, heaven sends down rain or snow, the earth occasionally shakes, the waves roll, the stars shine- each of them…” quote by D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/d-t-suzuki-8748_action_the-rocks-are-where-they-are-and-this-is_2557515.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/d-t-suzuki-8748_action_the-rocks-are-where-they-are-and-this-is_2557515.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/d-t-suzuki-8748_action_the-rocks-are-where-they-are-and-this-is_2557515.jpg) > “The rocks are where they are- and this is their will. The rivers flow- and this is their will. The birds fly- this is their will. Human beings talk- this is their will. The seasons change, heaven sends down rain or snow, the earth occasionally shakes, the waves roll, the stars shine- each of them follows its own will. To be is to will and so is to become.” [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. All natural phenomena act according to their inherent will; existence is the expression of will, and becoming follows from it. **In simple terms:** Nature follows its own will; being is will. Key Takeaway Align actions with natural flow. Themes philosophy nature impermanence will existentialism Mood calm contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditation - environmental observation - creative work - personal growth Key Concepts Zen stoicism process philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does “will” mean in your life? - How can you honor nature’s will while pursuing goals? A Different Perspective Human will is limited; external forces also shape outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain/) [Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivers/) [Rocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocks/) [Seasons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seasons/) [Seasons change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seasons-change/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snow/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) ## Related quotes > [“Full-scale river systems mature the same way, carving out large, varying paths over thousands of years. 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To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/from-eden-s-bowers-the-full-fed-rivers-flow-to-guide-the-outcasts-to/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [The deepest rivers flow with the least sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintus-curtius-rufus/the-deepest-rivers-flow-with-the-least-sound/) [Quintus Curtius Rufus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintus-curtius-rufus/) > [Insanity makes the rivers flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-atwater-rhodes/insanity-makes-the-rivers-flow/) [Amelia Atwater-Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-atwater-rhodes/) > [The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/the-sun-shines-not-on-us-but-in-us-the-rivers-flow-not-past-but/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Rivers flow not past, but through us; tingling, vibrating, exciting every cell and fiber in our bodies, making them sing and glide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/rivers-flow-not-past-but-through-us-tingling-vibrating-exciting-every/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Learn this from the waters: in mountain clefts and chasms, loud gush the streamlets, but great rivers flow silently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/learn-this-from-the-waters-in-mountain-clefts-and-chasms-loud-gush/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [“As rivers flow into the sea and so lose name and form, attains the Supreme Being, the Self-Luminous, the Infinite.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gideon-lewis-kraus/as-rivers-flow-into-the-sea-and-so-lose-name-and-form-attains-the/) [Gideon Lewis-Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gideon-lewis-kraus/) > [When the cold comes to New England it arrives in sheets of sleet and ice. In December, the wind wraps itself around bare trees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/when-the-cold-comes-to-new-england-it-arrives-in-sheets-of-sleet-and/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## More by D.T. Suzuki > [The worst passion we mortals cherish is the desire to possess. Even when we know that our final destination is a hole not more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-worst-passion-we-mortals-cherish-is-the-desire-to-possess-even/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Copying is slavery. The letter must never be followed, only the spirit is to be grasped. Higher affirmations live in the spirit. And where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/copying-is-slavery-the-letter-must-never-be-followed-only-the-spirit/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen, in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-in-its-essence-is-the-art-of-seeing-into-the-nature-of-one-s-own/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The mistake consists in our splitting into two what is really and absolutely one. Is not life one as we live it, which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-mistake-consists-in-our-splitting-into-two-what-is-really-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Until we recognize the SELF that exists apart from who we think we are - we cannot know the Ch'an ( ZEN ) MIND](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/until-we-recognize-the-self-that-exists-apart-from-who-we-think-we/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Facts of experience are valued in Zen more than representations, symbols, and concepts-that is to say, substance is everything in Zen and form nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/facts-of-experience-are-valued-in-zen-more-than-representations/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The claim of the Zen followers that they are transmitting the essence of Buddhism is based on their belief that Zen takes hold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-claim-of-the-zen-followers-that-they-are-transmitting-the-essence/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [When we start to feel anxious or depressed, instead of asking, "What do I need to get to be happy?" The question becomes, "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/when-we-start-to-feel-anxious-or-depressed-instead-of-asking-what-do/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen abhors repetition or imitation of any kind, for it kills. For the same reason Zen never explains, but only affirms. Life is fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-abhors-repetition-or-imitation-of-any-kind-for-it-kills-for-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [To point at the moon a finger is needed, but woe to those who take the finger for the moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/to-point-at-the-moon-a-finger-is-needed-but-woe-to-those-who-take-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [One has not understood until one has forgotten it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/one-has-not-understood-until-one-has-forgotten-it/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [That's why I love philosophy: no one wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/that-s-why-i-love-philosophy-no-one-wins/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen opens a man's eyes to the greatest mystery as it is daily and hourly performed; it enlarges the heart to embrace eternity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-opens-a-man-s-eyes-to-the-greatest-mystery-as-it-is-daily-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [“Modern life seems to recede further and further away from nature, and closely connected with this fact we seem to be losing the feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/modern-life-seems-to-recede-further-and-further-away-from-nature-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen Makes use, to a great extent, of poetical expressions; Zen is wedded to poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-makes-use-to-a-great-extent-of-poetical-expressions-zen-is-wedded/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) [Explore all 78 D.T. Suzuki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. 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