Top 5 Ways to Achieve Total Zen

Zen is the art of keeping harmony and balance body, mind and spirit. When all are functioning optimally, a state of tranquility is born that transcends any daily struggles.  It brings a lasting inner peace that frees you from the grip of stress and anxiety.

There are several ways to consciously and deliberately invite more zen into your daily life.  Doing so will allow you to reach your fullest potential and live the life you’ve always imagined.

Understand Your Dreams

It is impossible to create goals without having a clear idea of where you are going and what you wish to achieve in life. Uncertainty leads to self-sabotaging behaviors like avoidance, procrastination and postponing joy.  Take time to really know and understand who you are and what your soul desires.  Once you know what you truly want to achieve, find ways to incorporate that into your daily life by developing positive habits and behaviors.

Develop Positive Habits

Develop positive habits. It’s easy to become focused on what we don’t want or what we feel limited by. Where our thoughts go, so does our vital energy, so it is important to shift your focus to developing positive behaviors that will move you in the right direction.  When you learned a sport or how to play an instrument as a child, chances are you were made to practice every day.  This eventually developed a positive habit that nurtured and grew your new skill.

In order to lead an enriched life, it is important to focus on positive habits. They build and improve upon your natural strengths and talents, keeping you motivated and feeling on purpose in your life. Larger goals and dreams are achieved through this practice.

Remove Chaos and Pursue Order

 Remove clutter from your life.  Clutter has many forms, from negative self-talk and mind chatter that is left unchecked, to discordant living and work spaces.  Chaos in any form is anti-zen and creates stress and ill health.  Take time to explore and express your thoughts and feelings before they turn to anxiety.

Start to make your work space and living area more workable.  Clear clutter and arrange needed items in such a way that everything has a proper home. Tackle one area at a time and embrace it as  a personal growth challenge.  Organization is key to a better life and a simple way to be more zen.  Imagine having a space free and open, where the energy flows naturally and everything is where you can find it when you need it.

 

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the fastest path to a zen state, that anyone can do at any time with a little practice.  Placing your mind fully in the present moment eliminates stress and anxiety.  You are no longer living in the past or worrying about the future, you are wholly alive and in the moment.  Close your eyes, take a deep cleansing breath and engage all of your senses. Immerse yourself wholly in the moment.  Feel the rise and fall of your chest, the air on your skin, the smells and sounds that surround you.

This practice can be done anytime you need to feel more aligned.  Whether it’s a few moments or an hour, mindfulness is a powerful form of meditation that transforms lives.

Move Your Body

Sedentary lifestyles are very common in the West.  Many people work long hours sitting in an office. The consequences of this lifestyle can be devastating to one’s health and well being.  Take time to move your body every day, whether it’s a brisk walk outside at lunch to soak up some sunshine and fresh air, or a dance class after work.  Move your body in ways that also move the soul.

Many enjoy mind/body activities like Yoga or Pilates. Others enjoy hiking in nature and reconnecting with the elements and some feel the need to move their body to the rhythm of music.  Ask your body what ways it would like to move and then incorporate that movement into your daily routine.  Exercise clears the mind, relieves stress and boosts energy naturally.

Incorporate these five things into your daily routine and you’ll find that every day can be a zen day.