Living More Like a Zen Monk
I’m not, but there’s a fantastic post on Zen Habits: 12 Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk that can help me (or anyone) live a simpler life. No magazine subscriptions or therapy needed.
They can be boiled down to (in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh): “Smile, breathe and go slowly.”
- Do one thing at a time.
- Do it slowly and deliberately.
- Do it completely.
- Do less.
- Put space between things.
- Develop rituals.
- Designate time for certain things.
- Devote time to sitting (or meditating in some way).
- Smile and serve others.
- Make cleaning and cooking become meditation.
- Think about what is necessary.
- Live simply.
Now, like the guy who wrote the post on Zen Habits, I have no desire to shave my head and live in a mountain fortress (unless I was training to be a ninja or something), but there’s something to be said for someone who can shut out distractions, get their tasks done, have time for relaxation and meditation every day, and go to bed relaxed and content.
I’m trying to slowly work my way towards this kind of thing, but obviously with a very modern twist. By automating some things and clearing out clutter, etc., it’s definitely easier to have a clear mind…the problem I have is that I have *so* many things that I want to do (spending time with my girlfriend, listen to podcasts, download things, meeting up for D&D, play console games, read websites, play computer games, read, learn guitar, write, archery, poker, play with my RC cars and quite a bit more that would probably bore you to tears) that by trying to multitask I distract full attention from what I’m doing.
Short of selling all my games and consoles, I won’t be able to cut down my extensive reading list (about 50-70 books waiting to be read - I’ve stopped myself from buying any new books AGAIN, until I cut the list way down); with spring coming up, and the time change plus longer days, archery will again take up at least one weekday evening per week - with poker taking up alternating weeks; I’m trying to set up a spare computer to act as a download/file server to take that task off my desktop so I can use it for more worthwhile things.
The idea I’ve got is to use the technology I am familiar with to make things easier for me (file sharing and downloading), listen to podcasts and such while I do my driving around and exercising, do my gaming once a week and every other week do some archery or poker (which I try to infuse with a bit of Zen-type thinking), and spend some time every day (at least half an hour or so) reading an interesting book. In between all that, some PC or console gaming, either on my own with with some mates.
Yeah…
I know it’s hardly the life of a reclusive monk, but I don’t think the robes would suit me 
The good part is, I’ve accomplished some of the things I set out to do a year or two ago. I consistently cook for myself, I’m more conscious of what I eat, I’m eating more vegetables and fruits that I’ve either grown myself (still building up the garden) or purchased fresh. I started this year well with the exercise, but then got sidetracked by a business trip and an extended illness - this will restart as soon as I am well.
The trick, I suppose, is to continue all this and work in a new, good, habit every month or two to slowly improve what I do and get closer and closer to how I want to be.
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