"Suzuki Sensei's Zen Spirit" by Shosan Victoria Austin

A Summary by Jenny Jackson, 2/25/02

In this article, Austin recounts her time with a woman who was a teacher and a friend, a woman who provided her with valuable lessons on life and living.

Upon first meeting Suzuki Sensei, Austin was a young awkward woman with a great deal to learn and even more to unlearn. However, Suzuki Sensei proved to be patient with her bumbling ways and her Western predilections, teaching Austin through her every word and movement.

Austin soon realized that the lessons weren't easy for Suzuki Sensei - perhaps even harder than the learning was for herself - but her Zen teacher continued in patience and grace, not judging her charge. Even her manner of teaching was a lesson to Austin.

In addition to the concrete practices that Suzuki Sensei imparted on Austin, such as sewing and the traditions of the tea ceremony, the author learned to know contentment in the appreciation of each moment and the value of each day. Austin began to know the true meaning and depth of "ordinary" life and that happiness can be found in simplicity.

Along with learning to appreciate each moment, Austin also learned how to let go of her moments - an exercise in contentment without attachment. As the author states, Suzuki Sensei taught her "the appreciation of a moment as it happens and before it's already over, and the ability to let go" (216).

Suzuki Sensei was much more than just a mentor; to Austin she brought friendship and the ability to feel contentment in the here-and-now, gifts to last a lifetime.