Gradually over a long time my mind has learned to stay with the breath, and be present to sensory input and thoughts, just letting them wash over me as much as is possible.
I am drawn to images of letting go, of falling, like the leaves off a tree. My teacher says we are as leaves on branches of a great tree, connected to the trunk and to the roots, bridging heaven and earth. As explorers and travellers along the way, we can move freely between leaf, trunk, roots and being the whole tree.
I sometimes feel calmer, more purposeful, joyful even. I sometimes feel terrible, fearful, full of anxiety. I seem to be able to notice my individual feelings, not so much just a miserable soup, but discernable feelings with body locations to go with them. As well, there is an opinion of liking or disliking that feeling; wanting to feel more, or wanting to suppress it.
As a person who values being awake and aware of the dangers of our times, I am very motivated to learn how to decrease my chronic stress and improve my level of self-care. Relaxation seems to be key. I was stressed, unable to feel fully, overwhelmed by the huge, stormy, Narnia-like experience of being human. I am no Zen master … I am not even a Zen Buddhist. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.
I transformed my life about 15 years ago, and have helped thousands of people change theirs through habit change and mindfulness training. Read about my mission to change the world through uncertainty training.
Commit Yourself to Practice in the 3 Core Pillars of the Fearless Path so you can step fully into your life … to create a well-lived life of meaning:. Learn more about the Fearless Living Academy. Previous post: The Magical Power of Focus. This rule and some of the others that follow will be familiar to long-time Zen Habits readers.
When eating, eat. You can do one task at a time, but also rush that task. Instead, take your time, and move slowly. Make your actions deliberate, not rushed and random. It takes practice, but it helps you focus on the task. Do it completely. Being outside in the fresh air is ideal, but not necessary — the lounge room can serve you just as well.
Lie on your back or sit with your legs out. Listen your breathing, externalise your thoughts if you want. Talk to yourself, and listen to what you have to say.
Guided meditation apps are awesome for those who are new to the zen lifestyle. These provide walkthroughs meditative exercises for those who would rather be directed. There are so many ways you can spoil yourself while still living a zen lifestyle. Activities that you enjoy and find relaxing are so important to incorporate into you everyday routine. Find solace in what makes you happy.
There are services available to help you find your inner peace. Blys massage on-demand is a zen massage service that comes to your house at a time and place of your choice. Massage is a proven form of relaxation for both the mind and the body. If you need help deciding which zen massage style is the best one for you, check out this blog post for the difference between deep tissue and relaxation massage.
I had a Western mind, but I was determined to understand Eastern thought. Not many of my professors believed it could be done. A notable exception was a visiting professor from Brandeis, Morris Schwartz, who would later become known as the hero of Mitch Albom's memoir, Tuesdays With Morrie. After graduating, Postal studied social anthropology at Harvard and later taught introductory anthropology at Queens College in New York.
She loved opening students' eyes to other cultures. I still am. In , while raising two children, Postal entered Buddhist practice, influenced by her then-husband's interest in the Tibetan tradition.
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