What is Zen? For something that sounds so simple, it’s pretty hard to define. In fact, you probably won’t find a clear-cut definition of this Eastern philosophy. Instead, you will find various teachings and beliefs that underlie Zen. For some, Zen refers to a Buddhist religion. To others, it may make them think of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.
Zen and its philosophy are a way of life. Living your life according to even small parts of Zen philosophy has many benefits. Here are a few ways that you can take Zen philosophy and apply it to your own daily life:
1. Let go of what you can’t control.
The only person you can control in this world is yourself. Everyone and everything else that happens is not up to you. When you are able to let go of the need to control others, you’re freeing up space in your mind to focus on more productive thoughts and ideas.
2. Focus on something that’s going right.
Focusing on something in your life that’s going right sounds a lot like, “Think positive!” But these are two different ideas. Thinking positive is like tricking yourself into having good thoughts. On the other hand, focusing on what’s going right is an actual shift in your focus. Rather than dwelling on negative thoughts, you make the conscious decision to shift your focus to things that are going well in your life.
3. Recognize your feelings.
Paying attention to your emotions can help you identify how you’re feeling and address that feeling in a productive way. If you’re angry, ask yourself what events or actions led you to feel that way. Once you’ve identified the source, you can take appropriate action and give yourself some time to process and calm down.
Martial arts training values many of the same ideas that you find in Zen philosophy. If you’re curious to find out more about training martial arts and how it could benefit your life, contact us at Karate Families in Tarzana today.
