Natalie Goldberg Quotes

Writing is a very focused form of meditation. Just as good as sitting in a lotus position.

Zen Buddhism is a discipline where belief isn't necessary.

I write in my study, where I also have my prayer altar. I believe that keeps me focused and gives me positive energy and reminds me that I'm merely the instrument of greater creative forces.

The first thing I do when I get up is pray and meditate to center myself for the day ahead. I ask for inspiration in my creative endeavors, guidance in my relationships and patience in my journey. It's a great way to get focused for the day.

Samadhi doesn’t just come of itself; it takes practice.

Zen aims at freedom but its practice is disciplined.

A lot of people have questioned how yoga and their own spiritual beliefs can come together. Yoga actually pre-dates religion.

I feel really fortunate that, in playing guitar and surfing, I've found two things that mean so much to me, and which really complement each other. There's definitely a spiritual thing to both of them; they totally connect you to a higher realm.

God has blessed me with the capacity to meditate even while I am talking.

So, at the age of nine, I became a monk, and from then on I was there practicing that kind of nonviolence.

You don't have to believe anything, adopt a dogma in order to learn how to meditate.

I started practicing Yoga at about 18. I had a friend who was doing it and was incredibly disciplined and meditated all the time.

Soul is the central point of spiritual discipline.

Meditation has been a loyal friend to me. It has helped me write my books.

So I started chanting when I was nineteen, which was about twelve years ago, and it really had a huge impact on my outlook, happiness, and general creativity.

Yoga introduced me to a style of meditation. The only meditation I would have done before would be in the writing of songs.

I decided to try celibacy because I heard it would help the meditation, and I tried meditation because I heard it would help with the music. So, it all really comes back to the music.

Set aside all involvements and let the myriad things rest. Zazen is not thinking of good, not thinking of bad. It is not conscious endeavour. It is not introspection. Do not desire to become a buddha; let sitting or lying down drop away. Be moderate in eating and drinking. Be mindful of the passing of time, and engage yourself in zazen as though you are saving your head from fire.

First prepare the ground, then prayer happens on its own accord. Prayer is something that you cannot do. Meditation is something that you can do because it has something to do with your mind.

[M]editation is not just being silent—that is only one part of it.... [I]t has to be creative. And when a poetry comes out of your inner silences, or a painting, it has a flavor which is not of this world.

I meditate twice a day. I chant. I lean more towards Buddhist practices.

Writing is my form of celebration and prayer.

I don't miss my prayers and I don't miss my yoga. Those things are important to me.

I try to do a lot of yoga and meditation. I think now it's creating things in times of waiting.