心しん頭とう滅めっ却きゃくすれば火ひもまた涼すずし

expression

if you clear your mind of worldly thoughts, even fire will feel cool

A Zen-inspired proverb meaning that mental detachment can overcome physical discomfort or danger. Often quoted to express the power of a calm, focused mind.

• 「心しん頭とう滅めっ却きゃくすれば火ひもまた涼すずし」という言こと葉ばがあるように、心こころの持もちようで苦くるしみも和やわらぐことがある。

  As the saying goes, 'If you clear your mind of all worldly thoughts, even fire will feel cool'; sometimes suffering can be eased by one's state of mind.