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how to live my life like a zen monk. (but with wife,kids and work to go to)

WithinWithin
edited September 2011 in Buddhism Basics
It probably isn't realistic. However I would like to live more like a zen monk does.
Very simplistic! Calm in everything you do and say. Sit as much as you can. Be mindful in everything we do. Help people. Bow. Smile and be joyful. WELL, all these I can do until LIFE gets in the way.

Its all good reading up zen and thinking, when hungry eat.when tired,lie down. But when I'm at work I can't eat when I want. And I can't sleep when I feel tired. I can't help someone in need because I can't leave my office. When i come home from work my kids jump on me and want all my attention which I love. But then after they go bed my wife wants her time with me (or naggin at me) lol..

And these are things that are called REALITY! Its not all about sitting cross legged all day long in menditation like they used to 800 years ago! This is real life.we have jobs and families to look after and prioities.I'm stressed about my massive tax bill I have to save for whilst the kids are asking for a holiday.
has anyone got any tips of becoming more zen-like..if u know what I'm getting at!!

?

Comments

  • LesCLesC Bermuda Veteran
    edited September 2011
    Welcome to life! I believe you will be more at peace, which is what I sense you are striving for, if you practice mindfulness in all that you do. And that is really what your statements above are saying. Whatever you are doing - do that! Be mindful of the moment, when at work - work, when playing with the kids - play with the kids. That is real spirituality, that is real peace. Then when you meditate - meditate. There is practice in everything! Don't be focused on something else all the time... pay attention to the present moment and be still.
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    Back in the days when I was very intent on Zen practice, my teacher told me not once, but twice -- "Take care of your family."

    For a Japanese teacher to do that -- twice -- is like being screamed at by a Marine Corps drill instructor. And he didn't raise his voice at all.

    That was a lot of years ago.

    It was very good advice as regards Zen practice.
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    Sitting cross legged is precisely what allows you to stop wanting what you can't have, so the tip is to spend some time sitting cross legged :) Wanting what you can't have and not wanting what you do have is not reality either! That is how you would like reality to be, not how it actually is. To go against the grain of reality makes lots of stress! You have stress over a tax bill because you wish to not have the tax bill. However, not having a tax bill is not reality. :)
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited September 2011
    @Within is a banned member sneaking onto the forums again, and so this thread might as well also be closed.

    We wish him all the help he can get with his questions/answers, but this isn't the place for him to come anymore. Unless he's banned on every other Buddhist forum, he may have luck elsewhere.
This discussion has been closed.