Welcome to 10 Zen Things.
Ancient wisdom for fast-paced 21st century living.
1.
Do one thing at a time.
This rule is simple to follow and it's about focus.
When you're doing something,
Focus completely on this.
As the beautiful mindfulness Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh taught us.
When walking,
Walk.
When eating,
Eat.
Do one thing at a time.
2.
Do things slowly and deliberately.
Don't rush.
Keep things simple.
Take your time and make your actions deliberate,
Not rushed and random.
Do things slowly and deliberately.
3.
Don't move on to the next task until you're finished.
Once you've completed the task you're focusing on,
Then you can move on to the next task.
Too many times we get close to finishing but then leave things at the last minute.
This creates a problem for us down the line.
Instead,
Keep focused and finish the task off so that you can move on to the next task.
Don't move on to the next task until you're finished.
4.
Do less.
This is about balancing being with doing.
You see we're not human doings,
We are human beings.
This is about recognizing the need for balance between times of productivity and times of non-doing.
Do less.
5.
Put space between things.
Don't schedule things that you are doing so close together.
Make it so that you have time to unwind and reflect on what you are doing and why.
Having a more relaxed schedule helps you to manage yourself and to create some space for when tasks take longer than expected.
Put space between things.
6.
Develop rituals.
Rituals help to provide a sense of importance on things you're working on.
If it's important enough to have a ritual then it's important enough for your focus.
Eating,
Sleeping,
Doing the work you are passionate about,
Playing,
Praying,
Whatever is significant in your life will be greatly improved as you develop ritual.
7.
Designate time for certain things.
This is simple but deceptively important.
By creating a specific time for certain tasks you ensure they get done on a regular basis.
This in turn helps you to create momentum in your life and gives you time to work on other important tasks.
For example,
Have a time for taking a bath,
A time for work,
A time for cleaning and a time for eating.
It will help you develop a routine and you'll be much more productive.
You'll naturally cultivate your capacity for balancing doing with being.
Designate time for certain things.
8.
Devote time to sitting.
In the life of a Zen monk sitting meditation is one of the most important parts of the day.
The meditation practice is really just about being present.
You can do this at any time,
Just sitting down and observing what's happening around you.
You can do this at any time,
Just sitting down and observing what's happening around you and how you feel in your body without thinking too much about it.
Devote time to sitting.
9.
Smile and serve others.
Zen monks spend part of their day in service to others,
Whether that be other monks in the monastery or people in the outside world.
It teaches them humility and ensures their lives are devoted to others.
You too can do this in your life by focusing on helping others in your community,
Doing charity work or just generally being kind to the people around you.
Smile and serve others.
10.
Make cleaning and cooking like meditation.
Cooking and cleaning are two of the most important parts of a Zen monk's day.
They are both great ways to practice mindfulness and can be excellent rituals to perform at set times.
Put your entire focus into these tasks.
Concentrate and do them slowly and completely.
It may change your entire day and create much better conditions for your life.
Make cleaning and cooking like meditation.
My invitation to you is to listen to this track regularly.
Allow the 10 Zen things to seep into you.
Notice which one of the 10 things might be a useful focus for you in this particular moment.
Start small,
A simple step,
Even in one of the 10 areas.
As you become familiar with,
Imbibe and make your own 10 Zen things as an antidote to the often overstretched,
Over busy,
Overextended lives we lead in 21st century fast-paced living.
