Sometimes it is difficult to live in the moment. We feel pulled from all sides; work, family, friends, social media, future planning...it can be a struggle to live in the now and let go of these. However, if we treat every encounter, every moment, as if it were only ever to happen this once, in … Continue reading Attention
Tag: future
Act
There was never a better moment to sit than now. With all the anxiety and sadness of the past few months, the constant uncertainty and worry, we need to find a way to give ourselves some peace. It has been a terrible time for many, devastating, grief stricken. For others, the threat of a jobless … Continue reading Act
Brave New World
My daily walk this morning was shrouded in mist – a beautiful damp whiteness that hung in the air obscuring all, blowing in clouds across my path. Instead of seeing the valley and gently rolling hills I have become so accustomed to, my path was hidden from view and I could not look ahead. Instead … Continue reading Brave New World
Clarity
Sometimes the path in front of us is unclear. When we cannot see what the future may hold for us we can feel anxious and uncertain, and doubt, both of self and others, can begin to creep in. Imagine yourself walking a path when it is a very misty day. The fog on either side … Continue reading Clarity
Time
If we were locked in a small, pitch black room for an undefined period, we would doubtless experience a series of strong and varied emotions. Of course, if we did not know the reason, we would feel surprise, puzzlement and questioning what was happening would be our foremost thought. We may start to feel afraid … Continue reading Time
Begin
All journeys, all lessons, everything in life begins with the first step, the first decision, the first thought, hope, realisation. It may seem impossibly hard, when looking at it from this side, as if it is insurmountable, ludicrous, beyond our capabilities, but that is when we look at the top of the mountain from the … Continue reading Begin
Wish
How often a day do we wish for something, how often a week, a month? I wish I had a bigger house, a newer car, a better job. I wish she wouldn't say that, I wish that wouldn't happen. Our wishes are endless. And our wishes are all centred around the ego. I wish. How … Continue reading Wish
Purpose
When we sit zazen, we are sitting facing a wall, inert, and often people who do not sit question why we do it, what we are doing, what are we trying to achieve. Zazen is all about balance. Physically we are balancing our bodies, not leaning too far forward, nor too far backwards, but straight … Continue reading Purpose
Rough seas, still waters
Imagine yourself cast adrift in nought but a small rowing boat in the middle of a vast ocean. A storm whips up and the tiny vessel is tossed mercilessly, waves rising like immense walls down which you tumble, only to be churned then crashed down upon at the bottom. Where would your thoughts be? They … Continue reading Rough seas, still waters
Worry
When two ducks in a pond cross each other and begin to fight, they literally ruffle each other’s feathers, have their tussle and then go their separate ways. Watching them, they may spend a while smoothing their feathers back into place, preening, flapping a little, but what they do not do is gossip to their … Continue reading Worry
Zen musings 