'The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'

Zen mind. Beginner's mind. Simple mind.

The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.

This week I'd like to share some interesting Zen quotes.

* God has no religion. -- Mahatma Gandhi

* The reverse side also has a reverse side. -- Japanese Proverb

* Do not speak, unless it improves on silence. -- Buddhist saying

* Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. -- Alan Watts

* The water flows, but back into the ocean; The moon sinks, but is even in Heaven. -- Unknown

* Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind. -- Zen saying

* Do not mistake understanding for realization, and do not mistake realization for liberation. -- Tibetan saying

* If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are. -- Zen saying

* People in the world cannot identify their own mind. They believe that what they see, or hear, or feel, or know, is mind. They are blocked, and so cannot see the brilliant spirit of their original mind. -- Huang-Po

* The one who is good at shooting does not hit the center of the target. -- Zen saying

* The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there. -- Yasutani Roshi

* If you're afraid of being grabbed by God, don't look at a wall. Definitely don't sit still. -- Jiyu Kennett

* The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. -- Lao Tzu

* Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision. -- Hsi-Tang

* It takes a wise man to learn from his mistakes, but an even wiser man to learn from others. -- Zen saying

* If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path. -- Buddhist saying

* A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion. -- Chinese saying

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.