Zazen is the practice of sitting meditation. I have been working towards a disciplined routine in this since March - and I have been semi successful but it is something I really want to explore more fully. I have been getting taps on the shoulder from the universe about this, and it is time I sat up (no pun intended) and listened.
So there's that.
At the same time I have been continuing my journey with Total Immersion swimming and the word Kaizen is used in the training books.
Kaizen is a Japanese word that means 'continuous improvement'. It helps me in my swimming sessions to realize that it isn't about reaching a state of perfection, or mastery, but instead working every day to improve. This makes my swims so much more than continuous laps for 48 minutes. I can focus on my hands, my breath, my core, my kick, and each time I am in the pool I can strive to swim better than I have before.
Lately I have been working on my backstroke and breaststroke as well, and yesterday I even started to play around with butterfly.
Imagine that? I have never tried butterfly stroke before, but at 60, well, here I am giving it a whirl.
So these two Japanese words are guiding me this month.
Zazen and Kaizen.
What words are guiding you?
I've been trying to work on my meditation too! I have a yoga nidra CD that I find really helpful and I'm thinking about re-subscribing to Headspace. I find having some kind of guide is very helpful to keep me focused. Good luck with your practice!
ReplyDeletethank you. I will check out Headspace.
DeleteLove your zen goals.
ReplyDeleteWords guiding me:
My mom told me at the nursing home Saturday that she was a wervous neck. I'm trying not to be a wervous neck. Or nervous wreck.
Be still?
Make it fun.
wervous neck!!! I love it! I will work at not being a wervous neck too!
ReplyDeleteRemember to breathe...
ReplyDeleteWabi sabi is good too...<3
ReplyDeleteyes I like that one too!
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