--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds…" description: "\"Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds that true reality is the fundamental unity of mind and matter, inner spirit and external world. When life is view..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/tom-hoover-54709_duality_zen-takes-the-opposite-tack-it-holds-tha_2173573.jpg" --- # Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds that true reality is… ![“Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds that true reality is the fundamental unity of mind and matter, inner spirit and external world. When life is viewed in such terms, there can be no success or failure, happiness or unhappiness; life is a whole, and you are simply part of it. There are no…” quote by Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/tom-hoover-54709_duality_zen-takes-the-opposite-tack-it-holds-tha_2173573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/tom-hoover-54709_duality_zen-takes-the-opposite-tack-it-holds-tha_2173573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/tom-hoover-54709_duality_zen-takes-the-opposite-tack-it-holds-tha_2173573.jpg) > “Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds that true reality is the fundamental unity of mind and matter, inner spirit and external world. When life is viewed in such terms, there can be no success or failure, happiness or unhappiness; life is a whole, and you are simply part of it. There are no dualities, hence there is nothing to worry about. The result is perfect tranquility.” [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote describes a non-dualistic view where mind and matter are unified, eliminating opposites like success/failure, leading to tranquility. **In simple terms:** Seeing everything as one removes worry and brings peace. Key Takeaway Embrace unity, release dualistic judgments. Themes mindfulness nondualism tranquility philosophy Mood calm reflective peaceful Type philosophical inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - personal stress - decision making - conflict resolution - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts Zen unity holism Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing dualities as illusion affect daily choices? - Can unity be maintained amid conflict? A Different Perspective May overlook practical distinctions needed for effective action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Duality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duality/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Inner spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-spirit/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind and matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-matter/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success or failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-or-failure/) [Tranquility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tranquility/) [True reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-reality/) [Unhappiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappiness/) [Unity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unity/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) ## Related quotes > [“Westerners view the physical world as the operative reality and the unseen, nonphysical world as an abstraction (comforting or not, depending upon our beliefs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hoover/westerners-view-the-physical-world-as-the-operative-reality-and-the/) [Thomas Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hoover/) > [ “Besides the Four Alternatives, Zen uses the Five Categories\[FN#203\] in order to explain the relation between reality and phenomena. The first is 'Relativity in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaiten-nukariya/besides-the-four-alternatives-zen-uses-the-five-categories-fn-203-in/) [Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaiten-nukariya/) > [It is my conviction that basic Reality is not all that perplexing. What seems difficult to assimilate are the manifold details of Reality, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-matheson/it-is-my-conviction-that-basic-reality-is-not-all-that-perplexing/) [Richard Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-matheson/) > [A spiritual sensibility encourages us to see ourselves as part of the fundamental unity of all being. If the thrust of the market ethos…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lerner/a-spiritual-sensibility-encourages-us-to-see-ourselves-as-part-of-the/) [Michael Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lerner/) > [We are convinced of the fundamental unity of the human family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-kung/we-are-convinced-of-the-fundamental-unity-of-the-human-family/) [Hans Kung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-kung/) > [In nature there is a fundamental unity running through all the diversity we see about us. Religions are given to mankind so as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/in-nature-there-is-a-fundamental-unity-running-through-all-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The more we split and pulverise matter artificially, the more insistently it proclaims its fundamental unity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/the-more-we-split-and-pulverise-matter-artificially-the-more/) [Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/) > [“The fundamental unity of the Sequence and Simultaneity points of view became plain; the concept of interval served to connect the static and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/the-fundamental-unity-of-the-sequence-and-simultaneity-points-of-view/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [There is in nature a parallel unity which corresponds to the unity in the mind and makes it available. This methodizing mind meets no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-in-nature-a-parallel-unity-which-corresponds-to-the-unity-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Unity must be of the mind and heart, a sense of belonging together and of facing together those who attack it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jawaharlal-nehru/unity-must-be-of-the-mind-and-heart-a-sense-of-belonging-together-and/) [Jawaharlal Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jawaharlal-nehru/) > [In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential - do not let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/in-extreme-situations-the-entire-universe-becomes-our-foe-at-such/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [Nobility of birth does not always insure a corresponding unity of mind; if it did, it would always act as a stimulus to noble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/nobility-of-birth-does-not-always-insure-a-corresponding-unity-of/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Poetry offers the fairest hope of restoring our lost unity of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-weaver/poetry-offers-the-fairest-hope-of-restoring-our-lost-unity-of-mind/) [Richard M. Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-weaver/) > [I believe that the unity of mind and body is an objective reality. They are not just parts somehow related to each other, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moshe-feldenkrais/i-believe-that-the-unity-of-mind-and-body-is-an-objective-reality/) [Moshe Feldenkrais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moshe-feldenkrais/) > [“Empirically, things are poignant, tragic, beautiful, humorous, settled, disturbed, comfortable, annoying, barren, harsh, consoling, splendid, fearful; are such immediately and in their own right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/empirically-things-are-poignant-tragic-beautiful-humorous-settled/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## More by Tom Hoover > [Zen is based on the recognition of two incompatible types of thought: rational and intuitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hoover/zen-is-based-on-the-recognition-of-two-incompatible-types-of-thought/) [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) > [Japanese would never 'restore' an antique. The signs of age and wear are to them its most beautiful qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hoover/japanese-would-never-restore-an-antique-the-signs-of-age-and-wear-are/) [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) > [Zen culture invites us to experience reality without the intervening distractions of intellect, categories, analysis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hoover/zen-culture-invites-us-to-experience-reality-without-the-intervening/) [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) > [Unlike rational thought, intuition cannot be 'taught' or even turned on. In fact, it is impossible to find or manipulate this intuitive consciousness using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hoover/unlike-rational-thought-intuition-cannot-be-taught-or-even-turned-on/) [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) > [Zen is the enemy of analysis, the friend of intuition. The Zen artist understands the ends of his art intuitively, and the last thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hoover/zen-is-the-enemy-of-analysis-the-friend-of-intuition-the-zen-artist/) [Tom Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) [Explore all 6 Tom Hoover quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hoover/) ## More Duality quotes > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Why chase after thoughts, which are superficial ripples of present awareness? Rather look directly into the naked, empty nature of thoughts; then there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamgon-kongtrul/why-chase-after-thoughts-which-are-superficial-ripples-of-present/) Jamgon Kongtrul > [“Just as there are two sides to every story, there are two sides to every person. One that we reveal to the world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thorne/just-as-there-are-two-sides-to-every-story-there-are-two-sides-to/) [Emily Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thorne/) > [“The glue that holds the natural world together appears to be a harmonious balance of opposites: day and night, light and dark, winter and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-glue-that-holds-the-natural-world-together-appears-to-be-a/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [ The fall \[of your soul\] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-into-duality-was-naturally/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [“To be sure, just because the darkness and the light are equally sacred does not mean we benefit by becoming complacent about the darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehya-sky/to-be-sure-just-because-the-darkness-and-the-light-are-equally-sacred/) [Tehya Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehya-sky/) > [“As I, my real self, grew older, I entered more and more into the substance of my dreams. One may dream, and even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/as-i-my-real-self-grew-older-i-entered-more-and-more-into-the/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“To Graduate from the "School of Life" you need to have met the following criteria: Found your life purpose, know how the egoic mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-g-roussou/to-graduate-from-the-school-of-life-you-need-to-have-met-the/) [Marina G. Roussou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-g-roussou/) > [To be modern is to find ourselves in an environment that promises us adventure, power, joy, growth, transformation of ourselves and the world -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-berman/to-be-modern-is-to-find-ourselves-in-an-environment-that-promises-us/) [Marshall Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-berman/) > [The interesting thing about Sherlock is that he is himself a reflection of that very English duality. As a drug addict, he is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-everett/the-interesting-thing-about-sherlock-is-that-he-is-himself-a/) [Rupert Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-everett/) > [In this universe, and this existence, where we live with this duality of whether we exist or not and who are we, the stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shekhar-kapur/in-this-universe-and-this-existence-where-we-live-with-this-duality/) [Shekhar Kapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shekhar-kapur/) > [For I am I: ergo, the truth of myself; my own sphinx, conflict, chaos, vortex—asymmetric to all rhythms, oblique to all paths. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-osman-spare/for-i-am-i-ergo-the-truth-of-myself-my-own-sphinx-conflict-chaos/) [Austin Osman Spare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-osman-spare/) > [“All existence seemed to be based on duality, on contrast. Either one was a man or one was a woman, either a wanderer or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/all-existence-seemed-to-be-based-on-duality-on-contrast-either-one/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [We, all who live, have A life that is lived And another life that is thought, And the only life we have It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/we-all-who-live-have-a-life-that-is-lived-and-another-life-that-is/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) [Browse all 281 Duality quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duality/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Zen takes the opposite tack; it holds that true reality is the fundamental unity of mind and matter, inner spirit and external world. When life is viewed in such terms, there can be no success or failure, happiness or unhappiness; life is a whole, and you are simply part of it. 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