Sonny Shetty

This article presents eight Japanese Zen practices designed to help individuals slow down, improve focus, and live more mindfully in a world engineered to be distracting. The author argues against modern productivity culture and suggests these ancient habits can rewire one's approach to daily life.

Here is a summary of the eight practices:

• Ichi-go Ichi-e (One time, one meeting): This practice encourages appreciating the uniqueness of every moment and interaction, recognizing that each instant is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. It's about treating every day and the people in it as significant because the exact circumstances will never be repeated.

• Gyō (Disciplined study): This emphasizes the power of small, consistent daily actions. The article illustrates this with the extreme example of monks trekking for 1,000 days, but the core takeaway is that minor, regular efforts compound over time to create significant transformation, whether in writing, health, or relationships.

• Samū (Work as a spiritual practice): This concept refutes the idea of separating life into "important" work and "menial" tasks. It teaches that any activity, even washing dishes, is an opportunity to practice mindfulness and full presence. How you approach mundane tasks reflects how you approach everything in life.

• Naikan (Deep self-reflection): This involves daily reflection on three questions: What did I receive today? What did I give today? and What trouble did I cause today? This practice is designed to foster gratitude, awareness of one's impact on others, and a more balanced self-perception.

• Zazen (Just sitting): Unlike goal-oriented meditation, Zazen is the practice of sitting still simply to sit. It involves observing thoughts as they come and go without judgment or attachment. This practice helps to create mental space and reveals the chaotic nature of the mind, eventually leading to a sense of calm.

• Wabi-Sabi (Finding beauty in imperfection): This principle is about appreciating the beauty in things that are impermanent, incomplete, and imperfect. The article uses the example of a shattered tea bowl repaired with gold, where the cracks become a beautiful part of its history. It's an encouragement to stop chasing perfection and start living.

• Isshōkenmei (One life, full commitment): A term from samurai warriors, this means to give your entire self to whatever you are doing. It's a call to stop multitasking and be fully present and committed, whether spending time with family, working, or resting.

• Shoshin (Beginner's mind): This practice encourages approaching life with the curiosity, openness, and lack of preconceptions of a beginner, even in areas where one is an expert. The author notes that expertise can blind people, and maintaining a beginner's mind allows for continuous learning and new insights.