The Flow of Zen Quotes

“In a bustling village nestled along the rugged coastline, there was a humble shop where an old fishmonger named Taro had sold his catch for decades. Each morning, villagers gathered as he arranged the fish upon his wooden stall, their silver scales gleaming in the sun. No matter what the day’s catch brought—large or small, common or rare—Taro always placed them down with the same words: “This one is the best.” One busy afternoon, as the sun hung high in the sky, a skeptical traveler passing through the village stopped at the stall. He had heard of Taro’s peculiar habit and decided to test him. “Old man,” the traveler said, picking up a small fish, “surely this is not the best. Look at this one here—it is much bigger, much fresher.” Taro wiped his hands on his apron and smiled. “That one is the best.” The traveler frowned and pointed to another. “Then what about this fish?” “That one is also the best.” Frustrated, the traveler crossed his arms. “How can they all be the best?” Taro simply continued arranging his stall, his hands moving with practiced ease. “If I rejected one, I would be waiting forever for something better.” He gestured to the ocean beyond the village. “The sea does not judge what it gives, nor does it wait for the perfect wave.” The traveler stared at the rows of fish, then at Taro, and finally at the endless sea. He stayed silent. Taking a deep breath, he bought the small fish he had first held, feeling its weight in his hands.”
― Kai Tsukimi, The Flow of Zen: 21 Short Stories on Being Present, Letting Go of Anxiety, and Living with Ease - Includes Reflections for Beginners

“The lantern burned too fast. A young monk named Minato watched as the oil in its base drained lower, the flame flickering strongly as if it knew its own fate. He had placed it there, ensuring it would last through the night. As the hours passed, the temple quieted. The other monks had retreated to their quarters, their lanterns steady and subdued. Yet Minato’s lantern continued to burn with an almost restless energy, its flame consuming the oil faster than expected. Minato, unable to sleep, watched from the corridor, his gaze fixed on the trembling light. An elderly monk, Fumiko, walked down the hall and sat beside him. “You seem troubled,” she said softly. Minato hesitated before replying. “This lantern burns too fiercely. It may not last until morning.” Fumiko nodded, her eyes reflecting the wavering light. “And yet, does it not fulfill its purpose?” Minato frowned. “But it wastes itself too quickly. At least the others will last the night.” Fumiko smiled and gestured toward the temple garden, where the petals of a late-blooming flower trembled in the breeze. “Would you call a flower’s brief bloom wasted?” Minato looked back at the lantern just as the last of its oil vanished. With one final flicker, the flame surrendered to the night. The room dimmed, yet the silence it left behind felt fuller somehow, as if the light still lingered in memory. Minato bowed his head, uncertain whether the lantern had burned too quickly or exactly as it was meant to. Reflection Do you measure your life by its length or by its brightness? How do you balance sustainability with commitment in each moment?”
― Kai Tsukimi, The Flow of Zen: 21 Short Stories on Being Present, Letting Go of Anxiety, and Living with Ease - Includes Reflections for Beginners

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves. Thich Nhat Hanh”
― Kai Tsukimi, The Flow of Zen: 21 Short Stories on Being Present, Letting Go of Anxiety, and Living with Ease - Includes Reflections for Beginners

“A Zen master once said, “Let go, or be dragged.” Meaning? Life will keep moving, whether you cling or not. Zen stories help loosen your grip. They remind you that not everything needs an answer, not everything needs control. Sometimes, the wisest thing you can do is allow things to be as they are.”
― Kai Tsukimi, The Flow of Zen: 21 Short Stories on Being Present, Letting Go of Anxiety, and Living with Ease - Includes Reflections for Beginners