What is this true meditation? It is to make everything: coughing, swallowing, waving the arms, motion, stillness, words, action, the evil and the good, prosperity and shame, gain and loss, right and wrong, into one single koan.
Hakuin EkakuRead
Meditation in the midst of activity is a thousand times superior to meditation in stillness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Meditation during busy times is far more valuable than meditation in peace.
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a meditative state of mind, even amid chaos and activity. It suggests that true mastery and understanding of meditation come not from retreating into silence, but by being present and centered while engaging in the busyness of daily life.
Themes
MeditationActivityStillnessPresenceMindfulness
In practice
Example use cases
In a stressful work meeting, I found clarity through mindful breathing, living the quote's essence.
More from Hakuin Ekaku
All quotes βWhat is the sound of one hand?
Hakuin EkakuRead
At this moment, is there anything lacking? Nirvana is right here now before our eyes. This place is the lotus land. This body now is the Buddha.
Hakuin EkakuRead
All beings are by nature are Buddhas, as ice by nature is water. Apart from water there is no ice; apart from beings, no Buddhas.
Hakuin EkakuRead
Similar quotes
Be patient. You'll know when it's time for you to wake up and move ahead.
Ram DassRead
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.
Mark TwainRead
You are your own highest authority. Do not place your source of authority outside of you. Go within to see if the truth you've found is in harmony with the truth you find in your heart.
Neale Donald WalschRead
Paper has more patience than people.
Anne FrankRead
The fault finder will find faults even in paradise and thereby miss the joys that recognition of the positives bring.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Trust not yourself, but your defects to know, make use of every friend and every foe.
Alexander PopeRead