In a certain sense, Zen is feeling life instead of feeling something about life.

No one imagines that a symphony is supposed to improve as it goes along, or that the whole object of playing is to reach the finale. The point of music is discovered in every moment of playing and listening to it. It is the same, I feel, with the greater part of our lives, and if we are unduly absorbed in improving them we may forget altogether to live them.

For a decision-the freest of my actions just happens like hiccups inside me or like a bird singing outside me.

What we need to realize is that there can be, shall we say, a movement, a stirring among people, which can be organically designed instead of politically designed.

I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.

By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibility. We can let fear rule our lives or we can become childlike with curiosity, pushing our boundaries, leaping out of our comfort zones, and accepting what life puts before us.

The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.