Life's Jigsaw - Zen

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Each little piece is an aspect of our journey through it. And when at last we find that last piece and fit it into place, we eventually see the meaning of this life.

UBC Day 30
The Z Piece - Zen

So while we wait for our dreams and desires to come true, lets live the Zen way.

Here are some Zen proverbs that give us a clue to Zen living.

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be - Lao Tzu

Be still, the quieter you become, the more you can hear - Ram Dass

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river - Lao Tzu

A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving - Lao Tzu

To hold you must first open your hand. Let go  ~ Lao Tzu

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished ~Lao Tzu

To the mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders ~ Lao Tzu

Chasing after the world brings chaos. Allowing it all to come to me brings peace.

Here's one of my favourites that summarises my philosophy:

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. 

Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow.

 Let reality be reality. 

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

~ Lao Tzu

And a reminder when I feel disturbed or fearful

If you are depressed, you are living in the past

If you are anxious, you are living in the future

If you are at peace, you are living in the present  

~ Lao Tzu

Be Zen, Stay Zen. Namaste

image source: google images

The Jigsaw Pieces of my journey so far

Check out some blogs participating in the AtoZ Challenge


Written for: A to Z Challenge and The Ultimate Blogging Challenge


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Warm Regards

UBC Day 21 - Sharp

Day 21 Ultimate Blogging Challenge

Written for Haiku Heights

Sharp pointed pencil

Smoothly glides across paper

Creates Zentangles

Haven't done a haiku in a long time and Zentangles seem to be on my mind.

Have a Zen day.


Check out these awesome bloggers who are also taking part in the UBC challenge:
  Shilpa  Kajal  Richa  Jairam  Sheethal  Kathy  Swati  Michelle  Nabanita

My previous UBC Jan 2014 posts here


Like my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Thursday Thoughts - Emptying the cup

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master in Kyoto, in search of knowledge. 
While the monk served tea, the professor commented exercises, analysed writing, interpreted stories and traditions, and deliberated on the ancient processes of meditation. 
He did everything to impress his host, in the hopes that he might be accepted as a disciple. 
As he spoke, the monk continued to fill his cup, until it overflowed and the tea began to flow across the whole table.  
The professor remarked - What are you doing? Can't you see the cup is full, and that nothing more will fit in it?
Your soul is like this cup - replied the master - How can I teach you the true art of Zen Buddhism, if it is already filled with theories?
                                                                      ~ from The Warrior of the Light Volume 3, Paulo Coelho 


Today I went for three interviews with recruitment agencies. And as I sat through each one, I reflected on all that I had learned, experienced and achieved.

One of the questions I got asked was ... if I rate you as 7/10 what would you do to get to 10/10? I gave him a pretty good answer but pondered on it almost all afternoon.

And then as today is a Thursday Thought day, I searched my "Warrior of the Light" book and came across the story above. Just what I needed. A confirmation of my answer to that recruitment agent.

At the end of every project I deliver or at the conclusion of each job I have to "empty my cup" and start again because each situation is different, each job / project presents different challenges and provides new knowledge. What works for one project may be the wrong way for another. Being prepared to re-learn, re-start, going back to zero, is how I move forward though on the surface it might look like "emptying the cup" moves you backwards. I'm not sure that the recruitment agent actually got that.

I have discovered that I have grown or discovered a new ability when I have been prepared to "empty my cup" - learn, change direction, re-start. This of course does not mean that I throw away all that I've learned it just means I am open to another way of looking at things or considering an alternative or relearning / enhancing a skill.

And it's quite refreshing to "empty the cup".

Enjoy your day.

Warm Regards

Snapshot of my week - Tough to Zen

I am mentally drained this week. I had to remind myself constantly to be persistent and flexible.

It's been a week that really tested my ability to stay Zen.

I had to use a variety of techniques to do that.

Most effective this week:

• change the scenery
• karate
• breathe
• ho'oponopono
• new way of dealing with situations
• using circumstances to my advantage

Check out my posts  From Chaos to Zen  and Karate - what it means to me for a description of the techniques above.  

I guess we need some difficult days with "mental drain" to appreciate being in a state of "Zen". 

Hope your week was infinitely better than mine.

Haiku Wednesday

This week's Haiku is dedicated to Spiritual practice

List It - Karate - What it means to me.

When I started Karate 3 years ago, I took it up purely as a sport and martial art. To advance to the next belt was my only aim.

Then about a year ago it dawned on me that for me it was more than a sport and martial art and earning the next belt was no longer important or the focus for me.

I believe that we progress just enough to get what we require from an event or experience and I think I reached that with Karate a year ago.


Karate for me took on a different meaning. So what does Karate mean to me?

o  Keeps me in Balance
    Practicing kata (detailed patterns of movement) engage both the right and left side of your brain and
    body. It keeps me balanced

o  Takes me to a State of Zen
    When I am stressed or feel out of sorts, performing kata and the basic karate movements helps
    to relieve stress. The kiai (short exhalation during a strike) is particularly helpful at
    relieving stress as when done correctly, it channels the energy within into a destructive force. It
    requires timing and focus and hence a clear mind. Relieving stress takes me back to a state of Zen.

o  Sharpens the mind
    Karate demands focus as movements need to be undertaken with precision and right technique.
    In a class it also means keeping up in synchronized harmony with the rest of the karatekas.
    The mind must be engaged at every second. The same applies during kumite (sparring) as even a
    momentary lapse in concentration can lose the match for you.

o  Keeps me Fit
    Karate is very demanding on the body. My fitness levels absolutely soared after I first started.
    And I also lost a lot of weight.  It's a great fitness regime.

o  It's a Meditation
    Kata is meditative as it is a coordinated pattern of movements. As in the kiai, it requires timing,
    focus and clear thinking. After a while, it becomes quite hypnotic if you are in "the zone".

o  My Spiritual Practice
    Karate requires the synchronized engagement of body, mind and soul. Karate demonstrates the
    concept of "Be here now" perfectly which is the essence of a spiritual practice.
    Dan Millman illustrates this concept perfectly in his book "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior".
          Where are you Dan?  Here
          What time is it?  Now
          What are you?  This moment.
    To be in "the karate zone" you need to be here, now, in this moment.

o Teaches me to use circumstances to my advantage
    During kumite you always study and understand your opponent. Then you quickly learn 3 things -
        -  exploit your opponents weak points to make a strike
        -  use your opponents strengths to your advantage (eg defend instead of attack)
        -  take them by surprise - change the pattern
    You can apply the same to everyday circumstances. For example, at work,
        -  when in difficult situations use the strengths of a coworker to help you or
        -  if something isn't working and you've tried over and over again, change the pattern,
           try something different.
    In all honesty I do not enjoy kumite, I am not even good at it, but that's not important.
    What's important is that it has taught me skills that help me everyday particularly at work.

I love karate. I no longer strive for belts, I don't need to. Karate is now more a way of life for me.

Thank you Sensei Scott for introducing karate to me. You are an inspiration.

Osu.

  

Question of the day - How do you get from Chaos to being Zen?

I am going to answer this question based on my definition of Zen.

For me Zen means - to be balanced and in a peaceful and calm state

So what do I do to get back to my Zen state when chaos reigns?

C  =  change the scenery 

              If I'm in a position to change the scenery, I will remove myself from the situation.

              The best way for me to change the scenery is to take a walk. 

              Gabby Bernstein sums it up nicely as "take a fiver"

H  =  humour

              One of the most effective techniques for me is to find the humour in the situation. It changes 

              the dynamics for me completely.

              If I can't find the humour myself, I will find someone who will find it for me. I have a few friends

              and workmates who have the most amazing sense of humour. I call on them to keep me sane. 

A  =  accept the situation 

             There are times when I simply can't change the scenery. Then I accept the situation as it is.

             Someone taught me a technique many years ago to "Accept and Detach".

             Having accepted the situation I place it in front of me like an object so I can detach from it.

             Then I deal with it in the most appropriate way.

     

O  =  organise

              If the chaos is my own creation, then the best way for me to move out of it is to organise.

S  =  spiritual practice

              My spiritual practice consists of many different things.  Anything that helps me connect with
              my inner being, is a spiritual practice for me.

              Ho'oponopono is a technique that is so effective for me because it is simple, I can practice it

              anywhere and it works. I love it.

              I love listening to music and I have my special playlist that I listen to when I need to get in touch

              with myself.

              I also practice my karate. For me karate is not just a martial art and a form of exercise,
              it is a spiritual practice that brings focus, sharpens my mind, and brings me back to a state
              of balance.

to

Z  =  zzz,  sleep on it

             If it's a solution that I am seeking that is creating chaos in my mind, I will usually sleep on it.

             Doesn't work all the time but more often than not the answer will be in my head the next

             morning. It may not be a complete answer, but it provides the way to the solution.

E  =  exhale and inhale, breathe

              If chaos is starting to stress me out, then the best thing for me is to undertake Dr Hew Len's

              breathing technique. It's short and simple and it helps me to calm down.

              

N  =  new way of doing 

              Sometimes a new way of doing something helps to remove the jumble. I find this most at work

              particularly when I'm planning my projects. Rather than stressing over a plan that does not 

              work or doesn't feel right, I will look at several alternatives. Then suddenly one will stand out 

              and I can feel my heart and mind nod in synch - yes! Then chaos starts to fade.

My post on Meditation  has links to ho'oponopono and Dr Hew Len's breathing technique.

Check out Gabby Bernstein's  Take a Fiver