Zen Meditation: Stop and Smell the Roses!

How many of us walk through life wondering what our purpose is? How many of us look in a mirror and wonder who we are and what we want out of life?

Why is it that we do so? How many times have you said, 'I would like to purchase that' or 'I want to go there.' But who is 'I'? Do you really know yourself? Zen is the process of knowing who you truly are.

This is generally done by living the right way and practicing your meditation. When you live a Zen lifestyle, you can achieve happiness and contentment.

1) Importance

We rush, day to day, to do the things that need to be done. Little Johnny needs to get to soccer practice, Susan needs to get to dance, the report needs to be on your boss desk by 10 a.m., you need to make lunches, get dinner, etc.

We get to the point in which we are extremely burned out and are ready to pull someones hair out. This type of stress can age you quickly. One of the first things you should do is figure out what is important in your life.

What do you want to be doing with your time? Do not just think about it; write it down. Write down four to five things that you want to accomplish with your life, as well as four to five things you want to get done at your job.

Also, put down four to five people with whom you truly want to spend time. This should give you an idea of what is really important to you.

Next, figure out if you truly need all the commitments you have going.

Do your children really need to have three after-school activities per day? Do you need to take on more things when you are already very busy? You need to prioritize your life by choosing the things that are really necessary in your life. Instead of doing eight things a day, do three.

Take the things out of your life that you do not need to do so that you can focus more on the things that you do need to do.

2) Slow Down

One of the best ways to live a Zen lifestyle is to stop and smell the roses.

Before I had children, I rushed through my everyday tasks and landed in a heap on the couch shortly before 11 p.m. Then I had children and truly learned the meaning of the word 'multi-tasking.'

One day my three-year-old stopped me and pointed out a little caterpillar on the road. I had almost stepped on it! I was moving so fast to get to my destination that I forgot to look around at where I was going.

Most of us all rush around without noticing our surroundings? We take for granted the area in which we live. Whether you are in the city or in the country, there is always something to see.

Try slowing down when you brush your teeth, or when you are cooking supper. When you take things at a slower pace, and live in the MOMENT, you can find true enjoyment in every task.

3) One Thing at a Time

As I said, once I had children, 'Multi-task' became my middle name. I was able to cook supper, prepare my girlfriend's lunch, make the morning coffee, and work at my internet business all at the same time.

Did I enjoy it? Absolutely not.

There was no part of those tasks that was enjoyable to me, and I got to the point that I hated doing it. Instead of multitasking, try single-tasking. Do one thing at a time and do it well.

When you are making your sandwich for the next day, make an amazing sandwich. Add pickles and other vegetables and make it a truly amazing sandwich. Not only will you slow down, but you will have a wonderful sandwich to enjoy the next day.

4) Solitude

A big part of the Zen lifestyle involves learning how to live with solitude. Some people are scared of the quiet and being alone, but there is nothing to be scared of.

The quiet and solitude can give you time to meditate about your day and about your life. Even if you choose to sit back and quietly enjoy a book, the silence gives your brain time to work through everything that has occurred since the last moments you had in silence.

Living a Zen lifestyle is about minimizing the things you do not need and maximizing the things that are important. In doing this, you can achieve peacefulness and a sense of self.

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