Zen

The highest accomplishment for my day is to reach the state I refer to as "Zen". I started labeling my mood as such when a friend at work, Jennifer, commented on my being the "Zen Master" after my return from a really wonderful beach trip. For me, it is simply a place of great peace, connectedness, and joy.

Here's what it really is - compared to what I call it...

Zen - A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition rather than through faith and devotion and that is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Also called Zen Buddhism.

Word History: It is hard to believe that a word as Asian as Zen is ultimately an Indo-European word. Zen, which has been in English since 1727, is the Japanese pronunciation of Chinese chán, "quietude." Chán

Zen emphasizes experiential Prajñā—particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen —in the attainment of awakening , often simply called the path of enlightenment. As such, it de-emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and the study of religious texts in favor of direct, experiential realization through meditation and dharma practice.

I find that I am most able to be Zen at Starbucks. You may think this odd, but somehow the bustle and noise of the place allows me to withdraw to my own place. I un-focus my eyes, and just sort of stare. Of course, I have to be careful where that unfocused stare is directed. It can unnerve some people.

I guess I am posting this because, the contrast between Zen and the rest of my life is stark. I hope I can learn to be more Zen - all the time.