Shunryu Suzuki, born in Japan, grew up in the Sōtō Zen tradition, emphasizing stillness and spiritual refinement. In 1959, he moved to San Francisco amid a growing interest in Eastern philosophies by the American counterculture. His teachings, summarized in the directive, 'Just sit. Just breathe,' resonated with those seeking solutions to disillusionment in the postwar era. Suzuki's presence at a temple in Japantown played a pivotal role in shaping Zen's direction in the United States, linking it closely to burgeoning movements focused on human potential and personal awakening.
Suzuki arrived in California with answers. At a dilapidated temple founded for Japanese immigrants in San Francisco's Japantown, he slowly defined the trajectory of Zen in the US. 'Just sit,' he told his followers. 'Just breathe.' This simple directive became foundational in adapting Zen practices to a postwar America seeking meaning.
When he wasn't sweeping temple courtyards, Suzuki was studying, preparing to follow in his father's footsteps. His early life was filled with the quiet rituals of Sōtō Zen, emphasizing stillness and spiritual refinement.
Collection
[
|
...
]