Difficult Quote by Shunryu Suzuki
“Even though you try very hard, the progress you make is always little by little. It is not like going out in a shower in which you know when you get wet. In a fog, you do not know you are getting wet, but as you keep walking you get wet little by little. If your mind has ideas of progress, you may say, 'Oh, this pace is terrible!' But actually it is not. When you get wet in a fog it is very difficult to dry yourself.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, 1970
Progress is gradual and often invisible, like becoming wet in fog; patience and persistence are essential.
In simple terms: Improvement happens slowly and subtly, not always noticeable.
Key Takeaway
Embrace steady, patient effort.
Themes
patience
mindfulness
progress
impermanence
effort
Mood
calm
reflective
inspirational
Type
aphorism
teaching
spiritual guidance
When to use this quote
- learning a skill
- spiritual practice
- daily habits
Key Concepts
Zen philosophy
incremental growth
mindful practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell when progress is occurring?
- What practices help maintain patience?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex challenges.
