In 1914,
Dr.
Suzuki Baizen wrote a book called Kenzin Non-Genri,
Also known as The Principles of Health,
Or some call it The Principles of Soundness.
This book talks about how to live a more moral and ethical way of life.
In it,
He has several different principles that he uses.
When it comes to the five that are known in Yosui Shiki Ryoho,
I like to teach them as a form of meditation.
And so I'd like you to get into a comfortable position,
However that looks,
And I'd like you to just breathe,
Or if you're like me,
Take a long and slow deep breath in and out.
Just for today,
I will not be angry.
Just for today,
I will not be afraid.
Just for today,
I will be grateful.
Just for today,
I will do my work honestly.
Just for today,
I will be kind to every living thing,
Including myself.
Just for today.
Now I want you to just take a breath,
Or breathe long and slow,
Or whatever works for you.
And I just want you to feel into your body,
And I want you to think about the just for todays.
And I'm going to start them again,
And I want you to not judge,
But more be aware,
Observe each principle,
The five of them.
So we'll begin with making sure you're comfortable,
And letting go,
And thinking,
I'm not judging,
I'm observing.
In this moment,
Just for today,
Am I angry?
If you are,
What are you angry about?
I want you to process it and think about it.
And if you can get to a place,
Just for today,
To help use your breath and let it go.
Just for today,
I will not be afraid.
In this moment,
Just for today,
Are you afraid?
If you are afraid,
What are you afraid about?
If you can for this moment,
Give yourself a break,
And just allow yourself to be in this present moment,
And to let go of the things you're afraid of.
Just for today,
Just for this moment,
Use the power of your breath and let go.
Just for today,
What are you grateful for?
I want you to think about it.
Think about some things you're grateful for.
Right now,
Even in this moment,
What are you grateful for?
I'm breathing in,
And letting go.
How does it feel to think about the things you're grateful for?
Just for today,
I will do my work honestly.
Now for everyone,
Work is different.
Work doesn't have to be a job you go home to.
Work can be living life.
Are you living your life honestly?
If not,
Why not?
What lie have you done?
What could you have done differently in your job of living life or going to work?
What is something you could do to improve it,
If anything at all?
Where do you know you could make improvements?
I'm breathing in,
And letting go.
And just for today,
Being kind to every living thing,
Including yourself.
Have you been kind to yourself today?
Have you been kind to others?
To our planet?
And if not,
Why not?
How do you talk to yourself,
And how do you talk to others?
How do you treat others,
And how do you treat yourself,
Animals,
And the planet?
Just for today.
Just for today.
And I want you to just sit,
And I want you to just be with yourself for a moment.
You can make this practice an everyday thing,
Daily practice.
You can do it twice a day,
Like Dr.
Suzuki Baizen suggests,
Or Dr.
Yusui.
It is up to you,
But it's a practice to help you become more aware of yourself,
And how it will help change your life,
And the life of others around you.
It is another form of helping rewrite your narrative,
The story you have,
And being more consciously aware of your life.
Just for today.
Just for this moment.
Thank you.
