Living the Zen Life

Sufficient Zen Practice

Sufficient Zen Practice

 
“Focusing on something called ‘Zen practice’ is not necessary. If from morning to night we just took care of one thing after another, thoroughly and completely and without accompanying thoughts, such as ‘I’m a good person for doing this’ or ‘Isn’t it wonderful that I can take care of everything?’ then that would be sufficient.”
—Joko Beck

T

he holiness of religious practice happens in the empty space of silence. It occurs in simply tending to whatever is there in front of us without the jibber-jabber of the voices either praising us or beating us up. Zen is incredibly practical in this way. It does not seek to measure results, acquire miracles, alter what is, or control experiences.

However, it is in a Zen meditation practice that we build the skills necessary to keep our attention out of those “accompanying thoughts.” If there was one thing I would say is not only necessary but imperative, it’s meditation. Just as training is necessary in conjunction with a marathon and becoming proficient at an instrument is necessary in conjunction with playing a concerto, meditation is necessary in conjunction with living a conscious, compassionate life.

It is only when we can masterfully direct our attention at will that living simply becomes extraordinary living.

In lovingkindness,


If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, Living the Zen Life: Practicing Conscious, Compassionate Awareness (Volume One).

If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, Living the Zen Life: Practicing Conscious, Compassionate Awareness (Volume Two).

If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, Living the Zen Life: Practicing Conscious, Compassionate Awareness (Volume Three).

If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, A Shift to Love: Zen Stories and Lessons by Alex Mill.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, Meditation and Reinventing Yourself.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find a version of it in my book, The Zen Life: Spiritual Training for Modern Times.

 


  Alex Mill trained in a Zen Buddhist monastery for nearly 14 years. He now offers his extensive experience to transform people’s lives and businesses through timeless Zen principles.

He is the creator of three powerful 30-day programs, Heart-to-Heart: Compassionate Self-Mentoring, Help Yourself to Change, and Your Practice, as well as the online Zen meditation workshop, Taming Your Inner Noise (now offered as The FREE Zen Workshop).

Alex has also written seven books on Zen awareness practice. The latest are entitled A Shift to Love: Zen Stories and Lessons (Get it for FREE here) and the 3-book series Living the Zen Life: Practicing Conscious, Compassionate Awareness.

He is a full-time Zen Life Coach who offers guidance and life-changing support to his private clients worldwide. Book a call.