In one sense, Zen practice is like regular exercise: if done regularly, it builds strength, gracefulness, and self-confidence, and helps us more effectively respond to the situations we all face every day. And Zen practice is also like a laboratory: Through practice we can continuously test our understanding to see if it is adequate or not. If we never test our beliefs through actual practice, we cannot find out whether they are true or false.
— Taizan Maezumi, On Zen Practice by Taizan Maezumi, editor, Bernie Glassman, editor