“Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.” –Shunryu Suzuki
Mastering Zen in life is like controlling our breath. It's natural yet complex because we can be ignorant when other things come into our minds. Now, take a deep breath and enjoy some fresh air. Let me show you some valuable principles for finding Zen.
Accept - Face the reality.
Life is transient. Whatever comes to us will leave us later. We must face this reality to focus on a living day after day, moment after moment, and get rid of self-centered desires (无我). Acceptance forms the basis for giving everything our respect and accepting things just as they are.
Focus - Do one thing at a time
Our minds are pretty playful. If you don't control it, it keeps wandering around, thinking about the past, worrying about the future, and making all kinds of imagination. Zen is about directing our minds to focus on one crucial and rewarding subject. We can devote full attention and be present when we work on one thing at a time. To pick the one thing to focus on, we must decide the type of person we want. The purpose drives the actions. Asking questions and clearing our thoughts make a difference in how our routine is set up.
Simplify - Make things simple
Complexity doesn't mean more achievements. Instead, simplification can accomplish more. Minimalism extensively discusses how we can keep fewer possessions while still living happy lives. Simple means less external burden, more to ourselves inside.
Persistent - Develop a ritual
Ritual means fewer decisions. They are habits we follow every day: getting up, eating, checking emails, chatting with friends, spending time with family, reading, meditating, and exercising. Routinizing activities avoid overthinking.
Zen (禅), in summary, means simplicity, peace, looking beyond materialism, and learning to value our individual selves. I find my calm and serene whenever I return to this page: I put down new thoughts to quiet my mind, slow down my actions, and enjoy every moment of the day. Zen unfolds the hidden pleasure in every moment so we can enjoy all aspects of life. I hope you can feel the same.
Accept - Face the reality.
Life is transient. Whatever comes to us will leave us later. We must face this reality to focus on a living day after day, moment after moment, and get rid of self-centered desires (无我). Acceptance forms the basis for giving everything our respect and accepting things just as they are.
Focus - Do one thing at a time
Our minds are pretty playful. If you don't control it, it keeps wandering around, thinking about the past, worrying about the future, and making all kinds of imagination. Zen is about directing our minds to focus on one crucial and rewarding subject. We can devote full attention and be present when we work on one thing at a time. To pick the one thing to focus on, we must decide the type of person we want. The purpose drives the actions. Asking questions and clearing our thoughts make a difference in how our routine is set up.
Simplify - Make things simple
Complexity doesn't mean more achievements. Instead, simplification can accomplish more. Minimalism extensively discusses how we can keep fewer possessions while still living happy lives. Simple means less external burden, more to ourselves inside.
Persistent - Develop a ritual
Ritual means fewer decisions. They are habits we follow every day: getting up, eating, checking emails, chatting with friends, spending time with family, reading, meditating, and exercising. Routinizing activities avoid overthinking.
Zen (禅), in summary, means simplicity, peace, looking beyond materialism, and learning to value our individual selves. I find my calm and serene whenever I return to this page: I put down new thoughts to quiet my mind, slow down my actions, and enjoy every moment of the day. Zen unfolds the hidden pleasure in every moment so we can enjoy all aspects of life. I hope you can feel the same.
River Place Natural Trial, Austin, 2021
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