9 Sarcastic Zen Phrases With REAL Wisdom

Zen is a philosophy or school of thought based in buddhist teachings that focuses almost entirely on meditation and intuition. This philosophy is all about mindfulness and self awareness in every moment. When you think about it, sarcasm is all about self awareness and intuition as well. You have to have a full mindful understanding of yourself and the subject in order to successfully execute sarcasm.
Your tone, body language and wording should be intuitive and deliberate, or else you might very well be misunderstood by those around you. Below are 8 great examples of that witty zen sarcasm that you’ll love!

1. Always Remember That You Are Unique, Just Like Everybody Else.

There is something to be said for the solidarity that comes through our differences. Even though we all have individual talents and traits to bring to the table, there are always infinite unifying similarities that we share that simply cannot be denied. We are all singular in many ways, but we are all the same as well.

2. Sometimes You’re The Bug And Other Times You’re the Windshield.

Life can be a wild ride and there’s no way to predict the future. One day you might be on top of the world,dominating the game in all aspects, and then the next day you’re down in the dirt, clawing your way out of a hole. Either way, the potential of tomorrow is endless and wonderful. There’s no telling what the dawn will bring.

3. If You Ever Feel You Are Worthless Remember That You Are Full Of Expensive Organs.

Perspective is one of the biggest principles in zen philosophy. There are always a hundred different ways to look at life and all of it’s challenges. You may be feeling silly or self conscious about the body you live in, but from a different point of view (the black markets salesman or the person on the donor list) that very same body is a treasure or a miracle.

4. If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything.

The truth may not always be the most comfortable path to take, but in reality it is the easiest and simplest. Deception takes a lot of work and effort and will always set you up for failure. You will never have to panic about whether or not you’re remembering the truth accurately for the right audience because it will immediately be there in the forefront of your mind, no work required.

5. Never Test The Depth Of Water With Both Feet.

We shouldn’t act out of total fear at all times, but we should also be wary of acting with total abandon. Be smart and cautious about making new decisions. If you wish to take the risk then do so, but don’t be foolish about it.

6. Don’t Walk Behind Me, For I May Not Lead. Do Not Walk Ahead Me, For I May Not Follow. Do Not Walk Beside Me Either. Just Pretty Much Leave Me The Hell Alone.

This is a clever way of saying let me be myself and do what I need to do, don’t project your feelings or needs onto me. In other words, it’s sort of a mind your own business phrase. It’s important not to place your focus on others or to depend on them to determine your position or direction in life and this is a fairly polite yet firm way of telling them so.

7. Everyone Seems Normal Until You Get To Know Them.

Fitting in with the crowd or seeming “normal” is part of the wiring of the human brain. Blending in once helped us survive in a harsher world, although it doesn’t benefit us in the same way now.
The point of this saying is that it’s easy to look like a plain average person from a distance (that could be physical or emotional) but the closer we get to people, the more clearly we can see all of their little eccentricities and unique quirks.

8. Never Miss A Good Chance To Shut Up.

We tend to think of silence or emptiness as having no value, but truthfully it is a precious thing. There is much to be learned in silence. We need not fill every blank space just because it feels a little uncomfortable. Sometimes taking a step back and shutting up offers you a new and more helpful perspective.

9. A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Broken Fan Belt And A Leaky Tire.

There are struggles in every endeavor, but that doesn’t mean you are at the end of the journey just because things have gone wrong. You have to expect difficulties to arise from time to time, it’s simply the way life goes. Don’t let the bumps along the way discourage you from completing the task at hand. You will get there if you just keep trying.