The Great Way Is Not Difficult

If you think you are going to give up likes and dislikes, you’ll be very disappointed. But, the fundamental teaching of Zen is if you stay in your likes and dislikes, you’ll create heaven and hell. Let go of your likes and dislikes, paradise is right here.

The great way is not difficult for those who don’t make distinctions. But we’re all making distinctions all the time. It’s a matter of attachment, it’s a matter of holding. It’s a natural thing to prefer one thing to another. But craving after what you like and pushing away what you don’t like creates suffering, because you actually can’t control it anyway. So it’s a matter of holding. It’s not a matter of having. The likes and dislikes don’t kill you......the holding does.

By Zen Master Bon Soeng