On this week’s blog, we share an article from digital media journalist and blogger Smith Willas. Enjoy :-)
 

Today’s stressful world demands a complete overhaul in order to maintain a cool, calm and composed lifestyle. Given the frantic demands of our day-to-day lives, people are realizing more and more the importance of peace of mind to lead a healthy life.

In the midst of this chaos, adding Zen into your life is no less than treading the path of enlightenment. Zen is one of the most valuable gems Buddhism has given to the world, but in its true sense, it has nothing to do with being religious. It’s a way of life that anyone can incorporate.

Zen is a philosophy that tells you no matter what happens in your life, you must keep doing what you are doing. It tells you no matter how difficult the circumstances are, you can still embody the divine motivation in your life. It tells you, however, tumultuous the external environment is, your inner peace should dictate the terms.
 

In other words, in all their divine virtue, Zen teachings are way useful for living a peaceful and happy life.

Here are the ways you can bring more Zen into your life and change it for better:  
 

1. Enjoy your every moment

One central element of Zen philosophy is happiness emanates from within – it has nothing to do with the material world. That means there’s nothing that can stop you from enjoying your every moment, come what may. It is not to suggest that happiness is based only on the spiritual side of life. You have family, friends, hobbies, dreams, and aspirations as part of your journey. So if you are happy from within, you can enjoy everything that comes in your way. Furthermore, when you cultivate mindfulness, it helps you achieve your goals and also allows you to enjoy your life even more. By being mindful, you enjoy your food more, you enjoy friends and family more, you enjoy anything you’re doing more. You even start enjoying things that you otherwise used to find drudgery or boring.
 

2. Find a new perspective/view of your life 

At times you might have woken up wondering where your life is headed. Well, it happens to a lot of people at certain points in their lives. Amidst day to day chores and inherent responsibilities, it could seem like you don’t have time and space to examine the direction of your life. So it’s time to view your life from a newer and more positive perspective. Unexpected incidents or mishaps can happen at any time, but such situations should not control how you react. Most of the people don’t even know what to do when life changes suddenly. Thus before the circumstances start calling the shots, you are required to move beyond what you know – into the unknown – and expand who you actually are. Gaining the new perspective toward the life will help you be honest with yourself and you will start recognizing your true feelings.
 

3. Reprogram your sense of freedom

So many people keep complaining about the vagaries of their lives while doing nothing much to live freely. It is one thing to fulfill your responsibilities but succumbing to the life pressures in quite another. True freedom is essential to your well-being, which is why you have to revisit and reprogram your sense of freedom. You may not completely realize it but your idea of freedom is challenged continuously. With each surrender of your attention, energy and time accepting other people’s expectations, you are letting your freedom go away. Whether you want to spend your summer holidays, or express your feelings to your loved ones, or even bring positive changes into your life, your true freedom is to agree with your choices and actions. Freedom also allows you to deeply connect with other people in authentic like-mindedness, respect, and mutual satisfaction.
 

4. Meditate

Meditation is at the core of Zen values, and a daily dose of meditation can bring a significant change in your life. If you are starting your day like a 100-meter sprint, it is not the way to live it like that. All you need to do is bring some stillness, focus, and peace of mind. Meditation adds positivity to life and rejuvenates your being. The process is quite simple and focuses mainly on the posture and stillness. Find an adequately lit room with a comfortable temperature. There are myriad benefits of meditation, including providing tools to help cope with depression and anxiety issues. The deepest purpose is spiritual, as the practice of Zen meditation uncovers the innate clarity and workability of the mind. Zen meditation also encourages the awareness of interconnectedness and appreciation of all the little gifts that life has offered to you.
 

5. Focus on the process

One of the central principles of Zen life is to focus on the process rather than the results. By doing that, you will learn faster, become more successful, and be happier with the outcome. Make sure you develop habits and rituals that support what you are trying to achieve in life. When you focus on the process, the results will follow automatically. Focusing on the process essentially eliminates the noise of the external factors. Focusing specifically on the desired result, on the other hand, will make you less open to experimentation, less inclined to serendipity, and you are less likely to stumble on an even better outcome. Being process-oriented puts you in better control, and an internal locus of control leads to empowerment, higher self-esteem, and success. 

Zen values put a meaning and perspective into your life. They tell you how it feels to be alive and be present in the moment. 
 

Don’t rush life. Before you know, it will all be over. In all its fairness, that’s the true Zen way of living.
 

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