Modern Zen

The other day I nearly got run over by a bus, spily my take-out coffee over my shirt and had an avid cyclists swear at me in very colorful language and all within the space of five minutes!

Oy Vey!

Why is everybody in such a mad hurry to get here and there as if their very lives depended upon it?

Well, after twenty years of trading, I finally managed to conquer myself and brush off the usual urban din with such consumate ease! Its like fencing blind-folded but the  personal odysses was not without it's twists and turns.

Well in order to cope with the daily grind of trading I gravitated towards the coffee houses, evolving into long country walks, morphed into casual games of golf, took up gardening, readibg books, ascended into the realms of eclectic photography, grapsed the composed  world of Tai Chi and inevitably reached the lofty plane of Zen for a very private and intuitive stage of contemplation. 




Becoming a modern Buddha of suburbia, for me at least, was the quinessential accident-prone stumbling of a journey. But the can't be any gain without pain indeed and so back to my happless incident of nearly being run over by a thundering bus; I have learned to just shrug it off. Nobody told the bumble-bee he couldn't fly!

So what is Zen? Zen is a process of enlightening meditation. It is also known as Zazen which is a traditional Buddhist practice that involves sitting in a specific posture and focusing on your breath to quiet the mind and cultivate awareness. Thus, for the average suburban plodder like me, the appeal of Zen becomes very instant and gratifying.

Some benefits of Zen meditation include:

Reduces stress and anxiety: Zen meditation helps to calm the mind and relax the body, which can reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Improves concentration and focus: Practicing Zen meditation regularly can help improve your ability to concentrate and focus, which can enhance productivity and creativity.

Enhances emotional well-being: Zen meditation encourages self-awareness and self-acceptance, which can lead to greater emotional stability and well-being.

Boosts immune system: Research has shown that regular meditation practice can boost the immune system, making you less susceptible to illnesses and infections.

Improves sleep: Zen meditation can help calm the mind and promote relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Increases compassion and empathy: Zen meditation cultivates a sense of compassion and empathy for others, which can lead to greater understanding and connection with others.

Enhances overall sense of well-being: Practicing Zen meditation can help you develop a deeper sense of inner peace and well-being, which can improve your overall quality of life.

Overall, the practice of Zen meditation has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, and can help individuals cultivate a greater sense of peace, clarity, and well-being in their daily lives. So the next time I get get coffee spilt all over my shirt, I just hold my breath and mutter mea culpa. Oy Vey life must go on ...

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