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When we become truly ourselves, we just become a swinging door, and we are purely independent of, and at the same time, dependent upon everything.
Shunryu Suzuki
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True self-awareness leads to a balance between independence and connection with the world.

This quote by Shunryu Suzuki suggests that when we fully embrace our true selves, we achieve a state of being that allows us to be both free and interconnected with the world around us. The metaphor of a 'swinging door' illustrates the idea that while we may act independently, we are always influenced by and dependent on our surroundings and relationships.

Themes

Self-AwarenessIndependenceInterconnectednessPhilosophyPersonal Growth

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about self-discovery.

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Quote by Shunryu Suzuki | QuoteProject