Posts Tagged ‘Practices’
Effortless Zen Practices
Monday, March 8th, 2010
In the sutra it says, “There are no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body or mind…” This is Zen Mind, which includes everything.
It is not necessary to make an effort to think in a particular way. Your thinking should not be one-sided. We just think with our whole mind, and see things as they are without any effort. Just to see, and to be ready to see things with our whole mind, is zazen practice. If we are prepared for thinking, there is no need to make an effort to think. This is called mindfulness. Mindfulness is, at the same time, wisdom. By wisdom we do not mean some particular faculty or philosophy. It is the readiness of the mind that is wisdom. So wisdom could be various philosophies and teachings, and various kinds of research and studies. But we should not become attached to some particular wisdom, such as that which was taught by Buddha. Wisdom is not something to learn. Wisdom is something which will come out of your mindfulness. So the point is to be ready for observing things, and to be ready for thinking. This is called emptiness of your mind.
Excerpt from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
How do you become an observer of your thoughts? What practices allow you to see things as they are? As we open up to our whole self, mindfulness follows, and we can experience effortless Zen practices.
To the Zen of you,
Mary Anne
How Do You Practice Gratitude Attitude?
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
“Gratitude opens the way for more good to come into your life.” - Louise Hay
This is the time of year where we make plans for a big meal with family or friends, for volunteering to serve others in need, and for expressing our thanks. After some reflection about this time of year we call, “Thanksgiving”, I was reminded of my blog, Gratitude Attitude, I wrote this past summer. It highlighted the idea that each day we have the opportunity to live from the place and space of gratitude. We have a choice of living from scarcity and complaints (isn’t there enough of that on the news?) or we can live from a sincere place of gratitude. We can probably name people we know who complain for a living. This is the complainer/martyr with the mentality of victim consciousness that I often teach about – the ‘poor me’ syndrome that many live from. I choose to work, collaborate, and hang out with folks who are thankful for what is in their life – even the painful experiences. I see such liberation when we open to gratitude in every form, even walking in the rain without an umbrella!
By expressing gratitude as a daily practice, I have discovered that gratitude is an attitude and that once you have it, you can make it a regular practice like brushing your teeth. There are many gratitude attitude practices that can be incorporated into everyday life. Here are a few:
As soon as you open your eyes in the morning, say thank you.
Thank at least 3 people every day for something (from holding a door to being in your life).
Start a gratitude attitude journal – write down each day something you are grateful for.
Take 3 minutes each day, close your eyes, inhale the word gratitude and exhale the word gratitude.
Each night, say out loud at least one thing that brought a smile to your face and say thank you.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, let us take this spirit and energy of the harvesting of the past and bring forth more fruits into the world. Let us all bring “Thanks” and “Giving” to all we know.
When I am grateful, the world is grateful. Happy “Thanks-Giving!”
What are your gratitude attitude practices?
I am grateful for new learning, my life partner, Lorene, incredible co-workers, my clients, the White Mesa allyu, my coaching colleagues/friends, my friendships of unyielding support – Paulette, Val, Joe, Louis, Didi & Ellenrita, my family, friends from all the schools I attended, past co-workers, my blog, books, meditation, the building of international connections (South Africa), the ability to travel, my spiritual teachers, my faith, and my ability to hold space & so, so much more!
With much gratitude, Mary Anne