Zen: The Art of Simple Living

by Shunmyō Masuno

Try not to be swayed by the values of others, not to be troubled by unnecessary concerns, but to live an infinitely simple life, stripped of wasteful things. That is ‘Zen style’.

Any given day, a mere ten minutes is all you need. Try making time for emptiness, for not thinking about anything.

Making time for not thinking about anything – that is the first step towards creating a simple life.

Discard your attachments. Let go of your assumptions. Reduce your possessions. Living simply is also about discarding your physical and mental burdens.

the key to keeping your mind invigorated is to first put the things around you in order.

Life requires time and effort. That is to say, when we eliminate time and effort, we eliminate life’s pleasures.

Simply work hard to do today what needs to be done. And fortune will surely come your way.

There is no need to be troubled by things that have not yet happened. Think only about what is happening right now. Almost all anxieties are intangible. They are the invention of your own mind.

People who do their best to enjoy what is before them have the greatest chance to discover inner peace. Often, whatever it is they are enjoying – the thing before them – has the potential to turn into an opportunity. The place where you currently find yourself, the role you inhabit, the people you meet today, every little thing … you never know what might become an opportunity. Stop dismissing what it is that you’re doing, and start living.