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Creation Quote by Shunryu Suzuki

“When we sit in the cross-legged posture, we resume our fundamental activity of creation. There are perhaps three kinds of creation. The first is to be aware of ourselves after we finish zazen. When we sit we are nothing, we do not even realize what we are; we just sit. But when we stand up, we are…” quote by Shunryu Suzuki
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““When we sit in the cross-legged posture, we resume our fundamental activity of creation. There are perhaps three kinds of creation. The first is to be aware of ourselves after we finish zazen. When we sit we are nothing, we do not even realize what we are; we just sit. But when we stand up, we are there! That is the first step in creation. When you are there, everything else is there; everything is created all at once. When we emerge from nothing, when everything emerges from nothing, we see it all as a fresh new creation. This is nonattachment. The second kind of creation is when you act, or produce or prepare something like food or tea. The third kind is to create something within yourself, such as education, or culture, or art, or some system for our society. So there are three kinds of creation. But if you forget the first, the most important one, the other two will be like children who have lost their parents; their creation will mean nothing. Usually””

Shunryu Suzuki

About This Quote

Source Talk: Zen Buddhism, Shunryu Suzuki, 1970s

Describes three forms of creation—mindful presence, purposeful action, and internal development—highlighting the primacy of awareness.

In simple terms: Being present is the foundation for all creation.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate awareness before acting.

Themes

mindfulness creation nonattachment

Mood

serene inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • meditation
  • teaching
  • artistic work
  • community projects

Key Concepts

zen self‑realization holistic growth

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does presence influence your daily tasks?
  • What internal creations are you neglecting?
A Different Perspective

May seem abstract for those unfamiliar with Zen practice.

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