Zen is about gentleness within strength, and strength within gentleness. Strength and gentleness complement each other. We should be strong when the situation warrants it and be gentle when the need arises. If ‘strength’ is stretched to its limit, it will break. On the other hand, we cannot get things done if we are too gentle.
禅就是刚中的柔，柔中有刚，刚柔相济；需要刚时刚强，需要柔时则柔软。
刚太硬会折断，太过于柔软又不能成事。
– Master Jun Hong Lu, Words of Wisdom Volume 5
