7 Zen commandments to change your life

The Zen commandments are a set of beginning aimed at leading a simpler, conscious and free life of unnecessary worries.

Zen monks deeply value peace and the ability to see reality consciously. For that reason all Zen commandments focus on getting rid of what is unnecessary and irrelevant. Also in adopt some habits that facilitate this process of finding inner peace and purifying consciousness.

“Zen is not some kind of fad, it is a form of concentration in our usual daily routine”.

-Shunryu Suzuki-

It is said that everyone The Zen commandments can be summed up in a single sentence. . This says: “Smile, breathe and go slow”. Strictly speaking, such commandments are complex. However, they can be summarized in the following principles.

1. Do one thing at a time, the first of the Zen commandments

Doing only one thing at a time has become complicated. Multitasking has been imposed as a way of developing activities everyday. There are many of us who live day to day doing several things at the same time.

We eat, while we negotiate. Or we do one task with another in mind. This, in the long run, only destroys the nerves. It is a source of stress and usually leads to ineffective results. It is best to focus on a single activity to give a peaceful rhythm to our spirit.

2. Do things slowly and voluntarily

Speed is another of those characteristics that has been imposed in practically all our activities.. From work to sexual ones. It seems as if the mandate was to do everything as quickly as possible, as if there was never time available.

The Zen commandments indicate that the opposite should be done. Carry out activities slowly, without any rush. In a world like today’s this is not easy. Training is required. However, the result is wonderful because this strengthens the ability to concentrate and leads to better results.

3. Finish everything you start

Multitasking and speed lead to leaving everything half done. Some things end up being postponed indefinitely. That’s precisely where that feeling of not having time for anything comes from..

The effect this has on our emotional world is very negative. First of all, It is something that fuels restlessness and anguish. Secondly, it only leads to scattered and superficial attention. It’s like living, with life passing you by.

4. Take breaks between one task and another

One of the aspects that is most neglected in the modern world is rest.. There are hundreds of people in the world who have great problems stopping and taking breaks. They come to feel guilty or tormented for stopping for a moment and resting. They do it only when exhaustion overcomes them.

One of the Zen commandments indicates that it is very important to take breaks between one task and another. In this case, the fundamental objective is to put more order in life and allow the mind to disconnect from one activity, before starting the next.

5. Perform rituals

Rituals are ceremonies that are always performed in the same way and that seek to give special meaning to a specific moment or activity. Such rituals positively predispose the mind and spirit towards the action to be carried out..

The Zen commandments advise developing your own rituals. This helps to make us more aware of a specific moment. It is a way of preparing ourselves to live things fully and intensely.. They should not necessarily be done for unusual actions, but also for everyday situations such as eating, sleeping, etc.

6. Do less

Another of the harmful contemporary customs is that of filling each day with countless tasks and commitments, supposedly, to make more use of time. Efficiency is measured in terms of quantity and not quality. Cramming has more to do with anxiety than efficiency.

Zen masters advise purifying our time. Eliminate unnecessary activities and organize time so that each day reaches both to fulfill commitments and to take breaks and make room for other aspects of life that have nothing to do with work obligations.

7. Smile and serve others

Smiling and being kind to others is a way to raise our quality of life. Perhaps at first it is not noticeable, but over time you clearly perceive how the attitude of others is also kinder and more affectionate towards you.

Serving others is a way to increase the feeling of self-love. The word “serve” in this case does not refer to servility, but to the fact of being useful to others and generous in the face of their needs and adversities. Those who are friendly and helpful experience the world in a more positive way.

These 7 principles do not literally correspond to the Zen commandments. Rather, it is the condensation of some guidelines that exist in that philosophy. The objective is to offer practical guidelines to help make our lives calmer and happier.