In your practice you should accept everything as it is, giving to each thing the same respect given to a Buddha

In your practice you should accept everything as it is, giving to each thing the same respect given to a Buddha

Shunryu Suzuki, a renowned Zen master and teacher, emphasized the importance of accepting everything as it is in one's practice. This teaching is rooted in the fundamental principle of Zen Buddhism, which encourages practitioners to cultivate a mindset of non-judgment and acceptance towards all things. Suzuki believed that by approaching each moment with an open heart and mind, one could experience a deeper sense of peace and connection with the world around them.

Suzuki's teaching of accepting everything as it is can be seen as a form of radical acceptance, where one acknowledges and embraces the reality of each situation without trying to change or control it. This practice requires a great deal of humility and surrender, as it challenges our natural tendency to resist or reject things that we find unpleasant or uncomfortable. By giving each thing the same respect as a Buddha, Suzuki was reminding his students of the inherent value and sacredness of all beings and phenomena.