In this collection of Zen talks Shunryu Suzuki, founder of the San Francisco Zen Center says, “The secret of Zen is just two words: “Not always so.” He then laughs, and says, oh, in Japanese it is two words... in English it is three words... And, of course, what a wonderful mistake, and further proof of the idea – whatever we take for granted, whatever we assume and stick to, whatever idea or notion we believe to be true, is not always so. What might be some concrete examples of this? How about, the housing bubble, the strength and solidness of Citigroup and other major institutions. This concept also applies to ideas we hold about the world, about others, and ideas we hold about ourselves --- not always so!

The message here is to look more deeply, to question, to not take anything for granted. This is both very practical advice, and profound spiritual teaching. What our business (or any business) is today, is subject to change – it will change; it’s just a question of when and how. Who we think we are today is subject to change – we will change; it’s just a question of when and how.

Practicing, and living with “not always so” is a way to bring our lives alive. Not knowing means we can be more relaxed, more accepting, more flexible, and, at the same time – more curious, more diligent, more alive.

From this same talk:

“...in our busy life we should wear this civilization without being bothered by it, without ignoring it, without being caught by it. Without going anywhere, without escaping it, we can find composure in this busy life.”

I find this to be a wonderful statement about how to find composure, right in the midst of our busy lives:

- We should understand, and not ignore, how the world works, without being thrown around by it.
- We don’t need to take ourselves or the world too seriously; otherwise we will be caught by it
- Composure is available right here, without denying our difficulties and without escaping.