"What is the color of the wind?"

"Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself."

"When I eat, I eat. When I sleep, I sleep."

"What is your original face, before your mother and father were born?"

These are all Zen sayings. Zen is a branch of Buddhism that teaches about mastering the mind, and releasing a distorted sense of reality. Instead of attempting to grasp reality, but Zen philosophy teaches people to observe, accept, and acknowledge reality. Zen also teaches practitioners about realizing or acknowledging the enlightened nature already within themselves.

Now in the new book A Collection of Wisdom, author Rodney Ohebsion shares some of the best of Zen, all in a clear, efficient, and vibrant format. Here are some of the Zen Buddhism teachings in the book:

Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind. (Buddha)

Overcoming yourself is better than overcoming everyone else, because then the victory is yours, and cannot be taken from you by anyone... (Buddha)

First direct yourself to what is right; and then teach others. (Buddha)

Do not neglect your own needs for someone else