Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘You know, while we are practicing zazen we heard rain dropping from the roof — in the dark. I think soon we will see the wonderful mist coming through the big trees, and later, before when the people start to work, we will see the bright sunshine rising from the east, and we will see the beautiful mountains, but for some people, if they hear rain drop, in their bed, they will be annoyed, you know, without knowing, later he will see the beautiful sun rising from the east. If our mind is concentrated on our selves we will have this kind of worry, but if we accept ourselves as embodiment of the truth — temporal embodiment of the truth we have no worry. Now, it is raining, but — you will think, but we don’t know what will happen next moment. By time I go out it will be beautiful day, or stormy day. — we don’t know — so let’s appreciate the sound of the rain now. This kind of attitude is the right attitude, but if our activity is concentrated, or if you think you act something, you have always difficulty, but if you understand yourself as a temporal embodiment of the truth, you have no difficulty whatsoever. And we can appreciate our surrounding, and we can appreciate ourselves, as a part of — a wonderful part of activity. Even we are in difficulty — thru difficulties we will acquire some experience. This is our way of life.’ (from the Suzuki Roshi Archive)