You should rather be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice

You should rather be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice

Shunryu Suzuki, a renowned Zen master and author of the influential book "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," often spoke about the importance of embracing all aspects of our experience, including the so-called "weeds" in our minds. In Zen practice, the mind is likened to a garden, with thoughts and emotions sprouting like weeds that can distract us from our true nature. However, Suzuki believed that these weeds are not something to be eradicated or ignored, but rather something to be grateful for, as they can ultimately enrich our practice.

Suzuki's teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness and awareness in cultivating a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. By acknowledging and accepting the weeds in our minds, we can learn to work with them rather than against them. Instead of trying to suppress or control our thoughts and emotions, Suzuki encourages us to observe them with curiosity and compassion, allowing them to teach us valuable lessons about our inner landscape.