Somewhere down the line I’ve developed the reputation among some people as that Zen guy. That's sometimes said while they extend their hands with their finger and thumb touching. They might even add an ohhmmm sound for effect. It’s seems to describe for people someone who meditates and tries to be, as the comedian Eddie Izzard would say, relaxed and groovy. And that's hilarious because my mind rarely feels very Zen-like. My Monkey Mind is Hyper-Active In Buddhist circles, they often talk about the monkey mind. It describes the fact that your mind jumps frenetically from topic to topic like a monkey in a tree. A lot of days, I … [Read more...]
When You Get There, There You Are
“I think I would really like his life.” That was a statement made by my wife last year while watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. It's one that I could echo. And it was an understandable sentiment. It seemed like a pretty good life. Travel around the world, go to interesting places, eat delicious food, spend time with fascinating people. Even his demeanor seemed well earned: grizzled and patient, with the self-awareness of someone who had a tough life and made it through. But as is often the case, we didn’t know the whole story. And one of the people who didn’t want his life... was Anthony himself. "Over … [Read more...]
Don’t Look for Truth Under Rocks
Mind the Mind
One of the Best Time Management Tools I’ve Found
I recently visited the Zen Garden at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and found it a profoundly calming experience. Like many of us, I find myself bouncing around from activity to activity during the day. My mind is usually even more frantic as it works on what I need to do in the future and what I've done in the past. And, oh yeah, tries to pay attention to what I'm doing right now. For a few moments I was surrounded by the quiet in the Zen Garden. I could almost feel the cogs in my mind slowing down. My breathing became deeper and more relaxed. I was peaceful and felt a sense of clarity that is often elusive. When You Are Busy... … [Read more...]