Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Too many people believe that this world exists to satisfy desires, which are based on their self-centered thoughts. In reality, this world does not exist to fulfill our desires. In fact, things do not proceed in accordance with our expectations. And yet, somehow, we don’t accept this. Consequently, we often complain that things do not go well, and we struggle and make a great fuss.

When we reflect on ourselves, we understand that this way of living in samsara is caused by our own incompleteness. So then, we want to practice to go beyond ourselves and attain enlightenment. I think many people who practice zazen originally had this thought.’ (Dogen’s Genjo Koan, Three Commentaries)