Zen Living

When you think of Zen living, you probably picture a clean white space, a cozy Japanese garden, or a person deep in meditation. But while it’s all part of it, there’s a lot more to Zen than just cleaning out your room and meditating. Zen living is about achieving peace and balance in all aspects of life, from your desktop to your relationships with other people.

Perhaps the most popular aspect of Zen is its fondness for simplicity. In an age where everything runs on technology, a breather from the buzz of modern life is always welcome. But with a Zen lifestyle, you can feel calm and at peace all day while still getting everything done. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a lot easier than you think. Here are eight things you can do to introduce Zen into your life.

De-clutter. One thing that makes modern life so complicated is what experts call a “culture of accumulation.” We tend to spend too much and buy things we don’t need, just because we can. So we end up with too much on our hands, and too little room for everything. To live a Zen life, you need to shake off this culture. Go through all your possessions and get rid of things you don’t need or want. The process itself is therapeutic: it helps you let go of the things holding you back, and you’ll feel lighter and calmer afterwards.

Slow down. When was the last time you took the long road home, just to enjoy the scenery? Probably not in the past few months. Part of living simply is not being in a hurry all the time. Give yourself time to catch up with yourself. Keep multitasking to a minimum—concentrate on perfecting one task at a time instead of halfheartedly attending too many. If you really have a lot to do, get a pocket planner and allot a given time for each task.

Appreciate the small things. Many people are so focused on the big picture that we fail to notice the little perks along the way. On the way to work, set your eyes on something other than the traffic, such as the trees on the sidewalk. Also give notice to what other people do for you. Thank the guy who opens your door, the lady who brings your lunch, your hardworking staff. That way, even when your long-term goals seem shaky, you can find happiness elsewhere.

Go natural. Zen is also about staying in tune with your environment. You don’t need your own Zen garden (although it would help)—you just need to introduce nature into your home any way you can. Replace your marble countertop with wood, get a bamboo rocking chair, or decorate your patio with stones. A few days a week, find a secluded spot in the park and simply admire the view. The same goes for food. Whenever you can, go for a lighter, less processed meal, or if you can, try growing your own foods.

Live for the moment. Are you so busy you’re practically tied to your Blackberry? Try not to over-plan your life; a little spontaneity can help you unwind throughout the day. Have a plan, but don’t let your life revolve around it. If possible, leave your weekends free—instead of planning a family trip to the hour, just do whatever you feel like doing at the moment.

Control your temper. Self-control is one of the cornerstones of Zen living. You can’t live a peaceful life if every little thing ruins your mood. If you’d normally scream at someone who cuts you off in traffic, try taking a few deep breaths until the anger passes. Starting your day right helps a lot: if you leave the house with a genuine smile on your face, not even the biggest traffic jam can take it away.

Have a passion. Stuck in a job you don’t like? Don’t let it run your life. If a career shift is out of the question, find a hobby to take your mind off things after work. Zen people find that if they’re passionate about something, no matter how absurd, they are more motivated to do everything else. Make time for your passion—a hectic schedule is no excuse to put your personal interests aside.

Be optimistic. While positive thinking can’t change how things will turn out, it can change how you deal with the results. Optimists can deal with change more maturely, they don’t easily lose their temper, and they‘re generally happier—even if nothing’s going their way. Always expect the best of every situation. This will put you in a calmer state of mind than when you’re always braced for the worst. And when something goes wrong, look for the bright side instead of dwelling on the bad.