Zen habits
12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk
 I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. However
 You probably don’t want to become a Zen monk either, but you can live your life in
 a more Zen-like manner by following a few simple rules.
 Why live more like a Zen monk? Because who among us can’t use
, and mindfulness in our lives? Because Zen monks for hundreds of years have devoted their lives to
 One of my favorite Zen monks, Thich Nhat Hanh, simplified the rules in
ve discovered to work very well in my experiments with Zen-like living. I am no Zen master 
… I am not even a Zen Buddhist. However, I’ve found that there
   “Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on
follow) will be familiar to long-time Zen Habits readers. It’s part     of my philosophy
’s also a part of the life of a Zen monk:     single-task, don’t multi
while eating or bathing.     Zen proverb: “When walking, walk. When
  4. Do less. A Zen monk doesn’t lead a lazy life: he
.  6. Develop rituals. Zen monks have rituals for many things they do,     from
. You don’t have to learn the Zen monk     rituals — you can create your own,
 There are certain times in the     day of a Zen monk designated for certain activities. A time for for
time to sitting. In the life of a Zen monk, sitting     meditation (zaZen) is one
 9. Smile and serve others. Zen monks spend part of their day in     service to others
and cooking become meditation. Aside from the zaZen     mentioned above, cooking and cleaning are two of the
 most exalted     parts of a Zen monk’s day. They are both great ways
what is necessary. There is little in a Zen monk’s life     that isn’t necessary.
’m not saying you should     live exactly like a Zen monk — I certainly don’t. But
 I’m Leo Babauta, founder of Zen Habits. I transformed my life about 15 years ago
from Zen Habits: