Saturday, May 26, 2012

Going Zen



“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha

I have been practicing Zen habits for almost a month now and I’m kind of sticking to it without a bit of resistance, though I have my very own band of exceptions here and there.

Sometimes we put so much energy into pushing and striving to get ahead that we miss out on the joy of being where we are. That’s not the way I am comfortable with. That’s why I chose the Zen path. It’s amazing how calm and inspired I feel since I started practicing it. I started believing that every part of my pursuit to happiness can be beautiful and joyful, that I will feel a sense of calmness and peace. This moment will feel like something I need to savor while it lasts—something unique and worth celebrating, regardless of where it takes me.

Basically, these are my personal Zen philosophies.

1. Practice Yoga and Meditation – Find your center, breath and ‘let your thoughts go like the passing clouds’

2. Observe Mindfulness and Peace – Live at the present (YOLO); accept yourself flaws and all, use your strengths; and be aware of your own thoughts and actions moment to moment

3. Simplicity and Minimalism – Quality over quantity;  be more with less possessions;  have less but only the best; control impulsive buying; and find true love in the simple pleasures

4. Healthy Eating Habits – Eat real food, take small bites and chew slowly – savor it

5. Be inspired – Have a sense of wonder, let your heart be your guide and just be happy

Though these sounds fairly simple to follow, the stubborn me still found a few exceptions, I’m afraid. I can’t help it, I’m only human.

Exceptions:

I still drink more coffee than tea.

I’m not going vegan. Ever.

And I’ll still eat junk once in a while especially with friends and family.

Yoga Inversions during menses is a big no-no. Tried it yesterday and got distracted by my own farts. Haha. But restorative yoga did me good.

I will still hoard books. Sorry minimalism. They are my only comfort. After chocolate.

With bath and body products, I still buy cosmetics and branded toiletries. Finding Zen beauty products is just a lot of work.

And with clothing, I pretty much own a wardrobe of a homeless person, so there’s no problem with that.

Zen and Zen-related Sites I follow:


N.B. My birthday and Buddha’s fall in the same date. May 28th. What can say? Providential. Makes me even more inspired now.

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