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About this quote

What does it mean?
Seeing something immediately leads to intellectualizing it, which changes its original nature.
In plain terms
Analysis alters the original experience.
What can you take from it?
Stay present before over‑thinking.

Where it applies

  • art appreciation
  • first impressions

Putting it to work

  • practice noticing without labeling
  • delay judgment

Questions to consider

  • When have you lost the essence by over‑analyzing?
  • How can you balance observation and reflection?

Another view

Analysis can deepen understanding.

More from Shunryu Suzuka

  1. Life and death are the same thing. When we realize this fact, we have no fear of death anymore, nor actual difficulty in our life.

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  2. The way that helps will not be the same; it changes according to the situation.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. My life has been one long series of mistakes.

    Permalink to quote #16

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