--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Zazen practice is the direct expression…" description: "\"Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/shunryu-suzuki-1280_being-there_zazen-practice-is-the-direct-expression_2841175.png" --- # Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true… ![“Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this way of life.” quote by Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/shunryu-suzuki-1280_being-there_zazen-practice-is-the-direct-expression_2841175.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/shunryu-suzuki-1280_being-there_zazen-practice-is-the-direct-expression_2841175.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/shunryu-suzuki-1280_being-there_zazen-practice-is-the-direct-expression_2841175.png) > “Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this way of life.” [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Zazen embodies our authentic self; it is the sole practice and way of living that aligns with true nature. **In simple terms:** Zazen is the pure expression of our true self. Key Takeaway Embrace Zazen as your primary practice. Themes mindfulness spirituality authenticity Mood calm reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - stress relief - personal growth - spiritual retreat Key Concepts Zen Buddhism non-duality direct experience Questions to Reflect On - How does Zazen reveal your true nature? - What obstacles prevent you from making Zazen central? 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We call zazen everyday life, and everyday life zazen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/zazen-practice-and-everyday-activity-are-one-thing-we-call-zazen/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [“There is no particular way in true practice. You should find your own way, and you should know what kind of practice you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/there-is-no-particular-way-in-true-practice-you-should-find-your-own/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [“and you will become friendly with others. This is the merit of Zen practice. But the way of practice is just to be concentrated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/and-you-will-become-friendly-with-others-this-is-the-merit-of-zen/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [“All mysteries which lead theory to mysticism find their rational solution in human practice and in the comprehension of this practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/all-mysteries-which-lead-theory-to-mysticism-find-their-rational/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [All social life is essentially practical. All mysterious which lead theory to mysticism find their rational solution in human practice and in the comprehension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/all-social-life-is-essentially-practical-all-mysterious-which-lead/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“Zazen is the dragons roar. This dragons roar is the wind passing and whistling through a hollow tree. This can be a metaphor for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shoryu-bradley/zazen-is-the-dragons-roar-this-dragons-roar-is-the-wind-passing-and/) [Shoryu Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shoryu-bradley/) > [Meditation practice is a way of making friends with ourselves. Whether we are worthy or unworthy, that's not the point. It's developing a friendly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/meditation-practice-is-a-way-of-making-friends-with-ourselves-whether/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Once I step on the field, by the things I do in practice and the way I practice, you can't tell that I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrell-owens/once-i-step-on-the-field-by-the-things-i-do-in-practice-and-the-way-i/) [Terrell Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrell-owens/) > [I'm not a talker. But I will show in practice the way I work and the way I love the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gore/i-m-not-a-talker-but-i-will-show-in-practice-the-way-i-work-and-the/) [Frank Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gore/) > [If I don't practice the way I should, then I won't play the way that I know I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-lendl/if-i-don-t-practice-the-way-i-should-then-i-won-t-play-the-way-that-i/) [Ivan Lendl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-lendl/) > [Look at people in your life as “practice.” The way you react to them allows you to see what you have to work on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/look-at-people-in-your-life-as-practice-the-way-you-react-to-them/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You are a result of what you PRACTICE. The way you practice will ultimately aid or disrupt your PERFORMANCE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-a-result-of-what-you-practice-the-way-you-practice-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't mistake activity for achievement - practice the right way. - John Wooden I only play well when I'm prepared. If I don't practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-lendl/don-t-mistake-activity-for-achievement-practice-the-right-way-john/) [Ivan Lendl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-lendl/) > [“Yoga practice is a way of making room inside ourselves, for ourselves. We need space in our lives to breathe, get in touch with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kasler/yoga-practice-is-a-way-of-making-room-inside-ourselves-for-ourselves/) [Charles Kasler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kasler/) ## More by Shunryu Suzuki > [The point we emphasize is strong confidence in our original nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/the-point-we-emphasize-is-strong-confidence-in-our-original-nature/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [If you continue this simple practice every day, you will obtain some wonderful power. Before you attain it, it is something wonderful, but after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/if-you-continue-this-simple-practice-every-day-you-will-obtain-some/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [You want to eliminate your evil desires in order to reveal your Buddha nature, but where will you throw them away?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/you-want-to-eliminate-your-evil-desires-in-order-to-reveal-your/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Ego is a social institution with no physical reality. The ego is simply your symbol of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/ego-is-a-social-institution-with-no-physical-reality-the-ego-is/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the experts mind, there are few.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/in-the-beginner-s-mind-there-are-many-possibilities-in-the-experts/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [The seed has no idea of being some particular plant, but it has its own form and is in perfect harmony with the ground,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/the-seed-has-no-idea-of-being-some-particular-plant-but-it-has-its/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Whereever you are, you are one with the clouds and one with the sun and the stars you see. You are one with everything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/whereever-you-are-you-are-one-with-the-clouds-and-one-with-the-sun/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [When we become truly ourselves, we just become a swinging door, and we are purely independent of, and at the same time, dependent upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/when-we-become-truly-ourselves-we-just-become-a-swinging-door-and-we/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [“Zen is not some fancy, special art of living. Our teaching is just to live, always in reality, in its exact sense. To make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/zen-is-not-some-fancy-special-art-of-living-our-teaching-is-just-to/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [So the secret is just to say 'Yes!' and jump off from here. Then there is no problem. It means to be yourself, always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/so-the-secret-is-just-to-say-yes-and-jump-off-from-here-then-there-is/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Our tendency is to be interested in something that is growing in the garden, not in the bare soil itself. But if you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/our-tendency-is-to-be-interested-in-something-that-is-growing-in-the/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [The world is its own magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/the-world-is-its-own-magic/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/people-say-that-practicing-zen-is-difficult-but-there-is-a/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Each one of us must make his own true way, and when we do, that way will express the universal way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/each-one-of-us-must-make-his-own-true-way-and-when-we-do-that-way/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [The purpose of our practice is just to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/the-purpose-of-our-practice-is-just-to-be-yourself/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) [Explore all 262 Shunryu Suzuki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) ## More Being there quotes > [A friend gives hope when your life is low, a friend is place wen you have no place to go, a friend is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-friend-gives-hope-when-your-life-is-low-a-friend-is-place-wen-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dear God, thanks for being there when no one else was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myah/dear-god-thanks-for-being-there-when-no-one-else-was/) [Myah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myah/) > [Hillary Clinton was in rural America during the Iowa caucuses, but I think the nature of a campaign makes it more difficult once you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/hillary-clinton-was-in-rural-america-during-the-iowa-caucuses-but-i/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [So long as the priest, that professional negator, slanderer and poisoner of life, is regarded as a superior type of human being, there cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/so-long-as-the-priest-that-professional-negator-slanderer-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Love your mom no matter what you go through and no matter how much you argue because in the end,she'll always be there for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/my-favorite-qoutes/love-your-mom-no-matter-what-you-go-through-and-no-matter-how-much/) [My Favorite Qoutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/my-favorite-qoutes/) > [I don't mind being there for you. I just mind being the one you run to just because everyone else is busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-mind-being-there-for-you-i-just-mind-being-the-one-you-run-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being there for people but no one being there for you when you need them seems to be the story of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-there-for-people-but-no-one-being-there-for-you-when-you-need/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being there is what matters, not all the stress and issues that arise along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-there-is-what-matters-not-all-the-stress-and-issues-that-arise/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Once you're imagining being the main character, and you're having the conversations and actually being there, the magic in fiction writing takes over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hobbs/once-you-re-imagining-being-the-main-character-and-you-re-having-the/) [Will Hobbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hobbs/) > [There's a fine line between being there for someone & kissing their ass looking stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-fine-line-between-being-there-for-someone-kissing-their-ass/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No matter the distance,i'll always be there for you and you will for me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-the-distance-i-ll-always-be-there-for-you-and-you-will-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Pushing me away so I can give her space. Dealing with a heart I didn't break. I'll be there for you, I will care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pushing-me-away-so-i-can-give-her-space-dealing-with-a-heart-i-didn-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In general, I always make it my mission to focus on the one person in the audience who seems to be absolutely miserable about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-rothbart/in-general-i-always-make-it-my-mission-to-focus-on-the-one-person-in/) [Davy Rothbart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-rothbart/) > [The problem that we have is the President himself- a President who prides himself on his own weakness and incompetence and whose love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/femi-fani-kayode/the-problem-that-we-have-is-the-president-himself-a-president-who/) [Femi Fani-Kayode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/femi-fani-kayode/) > [There is no greater feeling than being with someone who wants you as much as you want them, to love and to be loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/there-is-no-greater-feeling-than-being-with-someone-who-wants-you-as/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) [Browse all 633 Being there quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-there/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. 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