It’s part of my philosophy, and it’s also a part of the life of a Zen monk: single-task, don’t multi-task. This rule (and some of the others that follow) will be familiar to long-time Zen Habits readers. “Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.” – Shunryu Suzuki However, I’ve found that there are certain principles that can be applied to any life, no matter what your religious beliefs or what your standard of living. I am no Zen master … I am not even a Zen Buddhist. However, for those who would like a little more detail, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve discovered to work very well in my experiments with Zen-like living. One of my favorite Zen monks, Thich Nhat Hanh, simplified the rules in just a few words: “Smile, breathe and go slowly.” It doesn’t get any better than that. Because it serves as an example for our lives, and whether we ever really reach that ideal is not the point. Why live more like a Zen monk? Because who among us can’t use a little more concentration, tranquility, and mindfulness in our lives? Because Zen monks for hundreds of years have devoted their lives to being present in everything they do, to being dedicated and to serving others. You probably don’t want to become a Zen monk either, but you can live your life in a more Zen-like manner by following a few simple rules. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days. I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” – Thich Nhat Hanh By Leo Babauta

Amd zen time spent