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Emphasize the process over the goal from "summary" of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
When we sit in the cross-legged posture, we usually think the goal is to achieve enlightenment. But if you think the goal is something that you will achieve in the future, you will not be getting anywhere. You will be only creating some progress of your ego. It is not so interesting to just be aware of what you are doing. It is more interesting to understand why you do something in the present moment. We should do something because we are doing it, not because we are going to get some result. This is the secret of practice. This is the definition of practice. If you do something in the spirit of non-achievement, there is a good quality in it. So just to practice zazen, or to keep your posture, is enough. You may think that when you do not try to attain anything, you will not attain anything. But if you think you will get something, you are already involved in gaining something. When you do not try to gain anything, you have some chance of actually attaining something. When you are not thinking about anything, you are thinking. This is called the principle of “not thinking.” When your practice is based on the gaining idea, even though you practice very hard, you will not attain anything. You will be wasting your time. The most important thing is to forget all gaining ideas, all dualistic ideas. In other words, just practice zazen in a certain posture. Do not think about anything. Just remain on your cushion without expecting anything. If something comes, do not try to attain something. If you try to attain something, it is not true practice. When you practice zazen, just practice zazen. You do not expect anything. If you want to express yourself through zazen, you will create some idea of yourself. If you keep your original posture, you will have result. You will attain enlightenment. This is a kind of mystery. So just practice zazen, only zazen. Do not be interested in anything else. Just do whatever you are doing, whether it is eating or sitting or working. Just do it. That is the only way to enjoy your life.
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