I discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing. That is, we have to believe in something which has no form and no color, something which exists before all forms and colors appear. That is a very important point. No matter what god or doctrine you believe in, if you become attached to it, your belief will be based more or less on a self-centered idea. You strive for a perfect faith in order to protect yourself.

Shunryu Suzuki

from the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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Further quotes from the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:

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• The posture itself
• Just to live
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• The quality of zazen will express itself
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