by Bronwyn Ison
Complete happiness. Peace within. Understanding of one’s self. Finding your Zen is quite simple… What are you? But, is it that simple? It’s the ultimate mystery question. How many times have you asked yourself, who am I? What is my purpose on Earth? What is this life all about? Why, why, and why? According to Wikipedia, Zen originated in China during the 6th Century. In the Buddhist teachings, Zen, emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment. Zen is also derived from the Japenese word Dzyen, which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word Dhyana, which means meditation.
How do we obtain Zen? Zen comes from within and there are no specifics on how to obtain Zen. Zen will be different for each an every one of us. Zen is about finding your happy place. However, there are certain exercises you can put to the test. I have always emphasized the importance of breath. When we are breathing properly the act of breathing can bring calmness to the soul. Find a quiet place and focus on your breath. Sit comfortably and begin breathing in through your nose deeply and exhaling out through your nose deeply. Breathe in all things positive, exhale the negative. Calming music can also help you obtain a Zen like place or balance. Sit and proceed with the calming, breathing exercises explained above. One may find sitting silently is not comfortable. You may find music to be a soothing affect to your soul.
Ayurvedic treatments, massage, proper diet, and exercise may well be helpful in obtaining a healthy Zen. When we exercise and eat properly our bodies feel healthy. With exercise and healthy foods we have more energy plus our mood is enhanced. Each one of us handles situations differently. Therefore, you may find going to your church and sitting in prayer is helpful to finding your Zen. Taking a long walk, baking, experiencing a new hobby or revisiting an old one. Practicing Yoga or tai chi, take your dog for a walk, or go for a hike. All these combined may well prove very fruitful.
Our daily lives can be stressful. You must ask yourself the necessary questions to attempt to reach your Zen. Am I happy? If not, how can I obtain happiness? What can I do to reach a happy place? However, let’s be realistic… we may not be happy all the time. Life’s twist and turns will always throw something at us. It’s at this time you can revisit those exercises to get you back into place.
Here are few extra tips. Begin a journal and start writing and asking your self a few questions. What is the larger purpose in life? It must be bigger than you. Stay motivated and focused on what is really important in your life. Happiness and excitement is not the same thing – happiness and peace is the same thing. Rest and breathe. Remember, whatever you do to find your Zen, you’ll be Zen-sational!
