d. 867, Chinese Chan Master, Linji (Rinzai) School Founder
Attention / Awareness If you attain real, true perception and understanding, birth and death don't affect you – you are free to go or stay. You needn't seek wonders, for wonders come of themselves. in Zen Essence: The Science of Freedom , Thomas Cleary, tr. & ed., 1989The pure light in a moment of awareness in your mind is the Buddha's essence within you. The nondiscriminating light in a moment of awareness in your mind is the Buddha's wisdom within you. The undifferentiated light in a moment of awareness in your mind is the Buddha's manifestation within you. Ibid.
Autonomy / Control What I point out to you is only that you shouldn't allow yourselves to be confused by others. Act when you need to, without further hesitation or doubt. People today can't do this – what is their affliction? Their affliction is in their lack of self-confidence. If you do not spontaneously trust yourself sufficiently, you will be in a frantic state, pursuing all sorts of objects and being changed by those objects, unable to be independent. Ibid.Just be autonomous wherever you are, and right there is realization. Situations that come up cannot change you. Even if you have bad habits, you will spontaneously be liberated from them. Ibid.
Wisdom for The Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing , © 2004