Summary, "Suzuki Sensei's Zen Spirit"

Aaron Wharton

The article by Shosan V. Austin entitled "Suzuki Sensei's Zen Spirit" is the author's description of a meaningful relationship with her teacher called Suzuki Sensei. S. Austin met the widow of Suzuki Roshi, a Zen priest in San Fransisco temple, Suzuki Sensei when she walked into the room where S. Austin was making Zen cushions at the Zen Center of the temple, and asked if anyone would like to learn sewing. S. Austin did and working under the careful eye of Suzuki Sensei realized how backward she was in relation to the art of Japanese sewing.

Eventually, due to poor eye sight Suzuki Sensei could no longer teach sewing and instead taught S. Austin how to make tea. Learning tea was difficult for both her and Suzuki Sensei, but both were committed to the relationship of student and teacher. Learning tea meant for S. Austin to learn presence, dignity, and patience as well. As S. Austin learned tea from Suzuki Sensei, S. Austin realized how much better her teacher's tea was than her own. S. Austin says that Suzuki Sensei was teaching Zen spirit in the tea ceremony, teaching her a way that can 'bring out the meaning and depth of ordinary life" (p.213).

Later, before leaving to go back to Japan, Suzuki Sensei made breakfast for S. Austin. As S. Austin watched Suzuki Sensei make the different parts of the breakfast, S. Austin wanted to know the secret to her simplicity in making soup. Suzuki Sensei replied that simplicity is not easy.

S. Austin then describes how, in every aspect of daily life, Suzuki Sensei "carried simplicity, stability, and grace" (p.214). From washing clothes, to sewing, cleaning, and shopping, Suzuki Sensei made each moment of each act meaningful, a meaning that Suzuki Roshi says is like finding the whole universe in one drop of dew. All of life's meaning can be present in every moment of every act one does and becoming present to each moment is to take care of all the details with full attention. Learning sewing and later tea from Suzuki Sensei, S. Austin learned 'life,' the spirit of Zen.