A Zen lifestyle is an attempt to lead a simpler life. To do so effectively you will need to take on a set of habits that minimize, simplify and sort out the chaos of your everyday life.

By incorporating Zen habits into your everyday routine, you can learn to focus on what’s meaningful in life and give all your attention to that. At the same time, you will also hone in your skills to remove the unwanted and unimportant stuff from life. The goal is to lead a simpler yet more purposeful and productive life.

This book will help you get started with Zen fundamentals and how to implement these habits into your life.

The Meaning of Zen

You may not have practiced it, but you most probably have heard of Zen. It is a common word doing the rounds in different circles, primarily where people are looking for a way to simplify their lives.

In fact, Zen has often been associated with aspects like tranquility, mindfulness, concentration and anything else that can help restore some order in today’s fast-paced and chaotic lives. In essence, Zen tries to understand the meaning of life without being distracted by logical or rational thought.

The practice does demand an intense discipline which, when followed properly, will let you get better at dodging distractions. But this is easier said than done. If you come from the western part of the hemisphere where intellectual thinking and multitasking dominate, it can be challenging to adapt to Zen.

The Origins of Zen

Historically, Zen has been practiced for centuries in Oriental monasteries by monks and goes by various names. For instance, the Chinese refer to it as Ch’an, the Vietnamese as Thien and the Koreans as Seon. But it is the Japanese rendering of this aspect of Buddhism that is known as Zen.

Zen Buddhism was brought to China by the Indian monk, Bodhidharma sometime in the 6^th century. Then, it became known as Ch’an and then spread to Korea and Japan. Under the sixth Chinese patriarch, Huineng, Zen shed many of its inherent Indian trappings becoming more Chinese. It also became more of the Zen that we now think of.

But it was not until the middle of the 20^th century that Zen Buddhism became popular in the West.

Zen, as we know it today is a way of living where people find happiness and peace within themselves. They learn to be more aware of their surroundings and the present rather than be distracted by an influx of information overkill. Zen teaches these individuals to lead a more disciplined and simple life instead of a contrived and artificial one.

So if you are looking for a way to incorporate more Zen into your life then read on. Here is a quick rundown of what to include and what to exclude from your life as you start your Zen journey.

What to Do?

At its very basic, Zen teaches you to be fully aware and live in each moment. This means you should work with a single-pointed awareness.

For instance, if you’re cleaning, then you’re fully present for the act of cleaning alone. If you’re spending time with family, they are your only focus and nothing else. Or if you’re relaxing at home, then you’re not thinking about the day’s events or worrying about tomorrow.

Keeping things simple and focused also lets you understand that less is more. So while you may be doing less, you’re actually giving it your everything, and coming out with a gratified experience.

Keeping things minimal will also help you figure out what’s important and unimportant in life. In a way, it’s decluttering your everyday affairs. But decluttering here doesn’t only refer to your physical life as in dealing with everyday activities and chores, but also decluttering your thoughts.