Shunryu Suzuki: Study Yourself

Shunryu Suzuki: Study Yourself
The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism. It is to study ourselves.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Happy New Year

The Christmas tree's come down, the last of the candy and cookies tossed out, and a resolve to move forward has overtaken me.

A new year is always a good occasion to reflect on one's life, both personal and collective. I've been reading "This I Believe" which came out in 2006. The original, the first set of essays were published in the 1950s. Who knew? Not I.

These short essays written by a cross-section of people living in the US, were also read on National Public Radio. The writers were instructed to keep the writing positive, personal and specific. As a result, I am finding gems throughout. Some of the essays are from the 1950s collection, and I'm struck by their enduring immediacy...hurrah for perspective!