Using the mind to look for reality is delusion; not using the mind to look for reality is awareness. Freeing oneself from words is the way to liberation.
~ The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma
The greatest gift that you can give to this world is to make the mind still.
~ Ajahn Chah
Stop thinking, and end your problems.
~ Lao Tzu
I never get lost, because I don't know where I am going (c'est vrai lol!).
~ Ikkyu
Be still, and silent.
Know the stillness of freedom
Where there is no more striving.
~ Dhammapada
Here it is – right now. Start thinking about it and you miss it.
~ Huang po
When you are practicing Zen meditation do not try and stop your thinking. If something comes into your mind, let it come in and let it go out. It will not stay long. When you try and stop your thinking, it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.
~ Shunryu Suzuki-roshi
The essence of meditation practice is to let go of all your expectations about meditation.
– Mingyur Rinpoche
In awareness there is no becoming, there is no end to be gained. There is silent observation without condemnation, from which comes understanding.
~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
The quieter you become, the more you can hear.
~ Ram Dass
You will always find an answer
in the sound of water.
~ Chuang Tzu
The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.
~ Zen Proverb
The more you talk and think about it,
The further astray you wander from the truth.
Stop talking and thinking,
And there is nothing you will not be able to know.
~ Xinxin Ming
Man is a thinking reed, but great works are done when we are not calculating and thinking. "Childlikeness" has to be restored with training in the art of self-forgetfulness. When this is attained we think, yet we do not think.
~ D.T.Suzuki
Not thinking about anything is Zen.
Once you know this, walking, sitting, or lying down;
Everything you do is Zen.
~ Bodhi-Dharma
An ancient master said, “The mountains, the rivers, the whole earth, the entire array of phenomena are all oneself.” If you can absorb the essence of this message, there are no activities outside of meditation: you dress in meditation and eat in meditation; you walk, sit, and lie down in meditation; you perceive and cognize in meditation; you experience joy, anger, sadness, and happiness in meditation.
~ Muso Soseki
Zen & Conscious Living