Embracing Mind Quotes

“You can say that before the Absolute all are equal, but there are not two, but one person, who is you.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“To some extent the life of you and God is simultaneous. It goes together as one thing. The more we think about this kind of strange condition we’ve got, the more mystified we feel. The real reason why you were born and why or how your mind/body is working like this on this earth, that’s a very big question.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“In spite of living in this suffering world I continue to believe that nothing can stain the purity of each existence.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“Life has to be freed and lived, instead of being known.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“Kensho and samadhi are temporary. You cannot dwell in them. If you dwell in them, they become the most powerful Mara.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“Separation, intense loneliness, causes enormous anger. Because of the self clinging of this being when it grows, anger grows. This occurs when people are being concerned about themselves, as themselves. When you raise illusory self and attach to it moment after moment, you become alone, of course. Separation is like that. The departure of yourself from others is like that. Where is the division of you and other things? Is skin the division of you and others? I don’t think so. Air, big air and little air in you, is a good example. As you breathe in, where is the limitation?”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa

“I have roots in Japan, so I go back to contemplate where my root is, and I find there are many gods in Japan. And it finally settled down to the belief that they all originated from one God. ... From mythological times, we have believed God existed. So I do not have any question or doubt about it, even though I haven’t met Him. There are many names, but the actual one doesn’t have a name. It is present in the future, and fills wherever space and time is. It is that kind of presence, I have no doubt of that. I don’t know anything about it, but I have no doubt about it.”
― Kobun Chino Otogawa, Embracing Mind: The Zen Talks of Kobun Chino Otogawa