Suzuki’s teaching presents distracting thoughts not as enemies of meditation, but as part of the very field of practice. Rather than trying to suppress or eliminate them, the instruction is to let thoughts come and go naturally, acknowledging their presence without judgment. They can be regarded as clouds passing through a clear sky or waves on the surface of the mind, appearing and disappearing of their own accord. This attitude loosens the habitual tendency to cling to or resist mental activity, and allows awareness itself to become more spacious and stable. In this way, the presence of thoughts does not obstruct practice; it becomes the material through which practice is deepened.

When distraction is noticed, the guidance is simply to return, again and again, to the fundamentals: upright posture and natural breathing. The body’s balanced, grounded position and the quiet rhythm of the breath function as an anchor, making it possible to redirect attention without strain. Each time the mind wanders, there is no need for self-criticism or analysis of the content of thought; one just comes back to sitting and breathing. This gentle, repeated redirection is not a sign of failure but the very expression of meditation itself. Over time, such steady returning cultivates a more settled mind, not by force, but by familiarity with this process.

A central element in Suzuki’s approach is what he calls “beginner’s mind,” a stance of openness and not-knowing toward each moment. Distraction, restlessness, and even a scattered mind are understood as normal and included within practice, rather than as obstacles to be eradicated before “real” meditation can occur. By meeting each arising thought with curiosity instead of frustration, there is less entanglement in stories about success or failure. Thoughts are then seen as events within awareness, not as a solid self that must be defended or perfected. Through consistent, regular sitting with this attitude, a different relationship to mental activity gradually takes shape—one marked by patience, non-judgment, and a quiet confidence in the simple act of returning.