--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the identity is realized, I as…" description: "\"When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no opponent confronting me and threatening to strike me. I seem to transform myself into the opponent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/d-t-suzuki-8748_confronting_when-the-identity-is-realized-i-as-sword_834905.jpg" --- # When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no… ![“When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no opponent confronting me and threatening to strike me. I seem to transform myself into the opponent, and every movement he makes as well as every thought he conceives are felt as if they were my own and I intuitively...know when and how to strike…” quote by D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/d-t-suzuki-8748_confronting_when-the-identity-is-realized-i-as-sword_834905.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/d-t-suzuki-8748_confronting_when-the-identity-is-realized-i-as-sword_834905.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/d-t-suzuki-8748_confronting_when-the-identity-is-realized-i-as-sword_834905.jpg) > “When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no opponent confronting me and threatening to strike me. I seem to transform myself into the opponent, and every movement he makes as well as every thought he conceives are felt as if they were my own and I intuitively...know when and how to strike him.” [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. Realizing one's true nature removes the sense of external opposition, turning conflict into self‑knowledge. **In simple terms:** Self‑realization ends external conflict. Key Takeaway Know yourself to master conflict. Themes self‑knowledge conflict martial arts Mood reflective serene Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditation - martial training - competition - personal growth Key Concepts Zen mindfulness strategy Questions to Reflect On - How do you perceive opponents? - What does “self” mean in conflict? A Different Perspective Self‑realization is hard; ego may resist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Swordsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swordsman/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [Transform yourself. It is not the opponent that will change, or the Frisbee. They will change in relation to your change. You must change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/transform-yourself-it-is-not-the-opponent-that-will-change-or-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You would do well to know, Marcus, that irritating a better swordsman than yourself is a good way to end up dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/you-would-do-well-to-know-marcus-that-irritating-a-better-swordsman/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) > [“An hour later it had become obvious that as a swordsman Alucius made a fine poet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/an-hour-later-it-had-become-obvious-that-as-a-swordsman-alucius-made/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) > [I collect swords, but I'm not really a swordsman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-kingston/i-collect-swords-but-i-m-not-really-a-swordsman/) [Kofi Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-kingston/) > [Our heroes are simple: they are brave, they tell the truth, they are good swordsmen and they are never in the long run really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/our-heroes-are-simple-they-are-brave-they-tell-the-truth-they-are/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“This mulatto gentleman could powder and dress as he liked, however, because he was acknowledged to be the greatest swordsman in Europe. Over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-reiss/this-mulatto-gentleman-could-powder-and-dress-as-he-liked-however/) [Tom Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-reiss/) > [“We have our swordsman, so let's get moving. Brigan, could you attempt, at least, to make yourself presentable? I know this is a war,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/we-have-our-swordsman-so-let-s-get-moving-brigan-could-you-attempt-at/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [“I felt an angry flush colour my face. "I was in the middle of training. I don't need your help." "I'm the best swordsman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/i-felt-an-angry-flush-colour-my-face-i-was-in-the-middle-of-training/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [The master swordsman isn't interested in killing people. He only wants to perfect his art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-dewitt/the-master-swordsman-isn-t-interested-in-killing-people-he-only-wants/) [Helen DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-dewitt/) > [“Air swirled over her shoulders leaving a wake of chilled skin. To her left something stirred in the shadows. She blinked. The swordsman stood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jewel/air-swirled-over-her-shoulders-leaving-a-wake-of-chilled-skin-to-her/) [Carolyn Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jewel/) > [Scars on the back are a swordsman’s shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/scars-on-the-back-are-a-swordsman-s-shame/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [“Some vicious thing inside me stirred. I felt it in my gut, the back of my neck, my hands. I thought of Musashi, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/some-vicious-thing-inside-me-stirred-i-felt-it-in-my-gut-the-back-of/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice. Where is the skillful swordsman who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-are-double-edged-blades-and-every-time-we-whet-our-virtue-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Peter was a superb swordsman, and parried with dazzling rapidity; ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/peter-was-a-superb-swordsman-and-parried-with-dazzling-rapidity-ever/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Vaelin knew himself to be the best swordsman among them. Dentos was master of the bow, Barkus unarmed combat, Nortah the finest rider and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/vaelin-knew-himself-to-be-the-best-swordsman-among-them-dentos-was/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) ## 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 Confronting quotes > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [The challenge in confronting Trump is that there are certain things that he does that that you have to respond to, just morally. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-buttigieg/the-challenge-in-confronting-trump-is-that-there-are-certain-things/) [Pete Buttigieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-buttigieg/) > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I have come to think that the challenge confronting Christians is not that we do not believe what we say, though that can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/i-have-come-to-think-that-the-challenge-confronting-christians-is-not/) [Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/) > [Higher education is confronting challenges, like the economy is, about the need for a higher number of more adequately trained, more highly educated citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-spellings/higher-education-is-confronting-challenges-like-the-economy-is-about/) [Margaret Spellings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-spellings/) > [The myths underlying our culture and underlying our common sense have not taught us to feel identical with the universe, but only parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/the-myths-underlying-our-culture-and-underlying-our-common-sense-have/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [While confronting the problems of the present, I often find myself thinking back to the world of books as it was experienced by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-darnton/while-confronting-the-problems-of-the-present-i-often-find-myself/) [Robert Darnton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-darnton/) > [There were angry men confronting me and I caught the flashing of defiant eyes, but above me and within me, there was a spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoinette-brown-blackwell/there-were-angry-men-confronting-me-and-i-caught-the-flashing-of/) [Antoinette Brown Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoinette-brown-blackwell/) > [We will see that the greatest problem confronting civilization is not merely religious extremism: rather, it is the larger set of cultural and intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/we-will-see-that-the-greatest-problem-confronting-civilization-is-not/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [A woman confronting men is a proper subject, it is inexhaustible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-chabrol/a-woman-confronting-men-is-a-proper-subject-it-is-inexhaustible/) [Claude Chabrol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-chabrol/) > [I can't agree that what we're seeing is a matter of the American bourgeoisie confronting workers everywhere. It's more like the international plutocracy eliminating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-hertzberg/i-can-t-agree-that-what-we-re-seeing-is-a-matter-of-the-american/) [Hendrik Hertzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-hertzberg/) > [Putting your ego aside and confronting your weaknesses and just letting things happen is hard. Not to use a Scientology term, but it's difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-e-clark/putting-your-ego-aside-and-confronting-your-weaknesses-and-just/) [Annie E. Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-e-clark/) > [“I've seen what you're going to understand, dear. It made me patient when confronting your temper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/i-ve-seen-what-you-re-going-to-understand-dear-it-made-me-patient/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [I've been hated by many, wanted by plenty, disliked by some, but confronted by none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-ve-been-hated-by-many-wanted-by-plenty-disliked-by-some-but/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Confronting and undermining the narratives and ideas of extremism must therefore be one of our key tasks. To do this, we must retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/confronting-and-undermining-the-narratives-and-ideas-of-extremism/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) Browse all 215 Confronting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the identity is realized, I as swordsman see no opponent confronting me and threatening to strike me. I seem to transform myself into the opponent, and every movement he makes as well as every thought he conceives are felt as if they were my own and I intuitively...know when and how to strike him.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D.T. 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