Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.” I say, “I do not think, that is why I exist.”
-Taisen Deshimaru
Today's quote comes from Japanese Soto Zen Buddhist monk Taisen Deshimaru (1914-1982). The first portion of the statement references the famous Descartes line, "I think, therefore I am," and Deshimaru shifts the emphasis with his addition: "I do not think, that is why I exist." To me, this refers to the fact that thinking is entirely inward. And don't get me wrong, I like to think just as much as the next guy, maybe even more so. But thinking is essentially make believe, it does not "exist" in the physical world we inhabit. And obviously, our bodies do. We have no choice but to live and interact with the palpable phenomena of this world. So if one attempts to not think, would it not be natural then to consequentially "exist" in a stronger way? I think their may be something to this one.
Taisen Deshimaru was born of a former Samurai father and a devout Buddhist mother. At an early age Deshimaru dedicated himself to Christianity under a Protestant minister before ultimately deciding it was not right for him and returning to Buddhism. Initially studying the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, he settled upon the Soto Zen ideals. Because of near-sightedness Deshimaru was exempted from military service in World War II, during which he directed copper mines, and after the war was captured by Americans. In the latter part of his life, Deshimaru brought the teachings of Soto Zen Buddhism to Europe upon the request of his mentor Kodo Sawaki. He settled in France because of its rich philosophical history.
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