Living in zen doesn’t mean you need to stop talking. On the contrary, zen is a state of mind you create within yourself. We think we can’t live without something too often, but if we give ourselves a chance to enjoy the silence, we can.Â
Communication
We communicate by using words, facial gestures, hand motions, art, and the written word. Some people connect with their inner being by socializing, listening to music, or traveling for communication or entertainment based on outside influences. However, instead of watching television, spending time on social media, or texting, we disengage from external stimuli.Â
Stepping Away and Reaching In
Living in silence doesn’t mean we must stop talking and find a devoid of noise. On the contrary, silence is our version of zen. Some find joy in creating, peace in surfing, or a connection to nature through forest bathing. Whatever way people communicate, they find ways to reach within. An article in National Geographic discusses forest bathing as a form of mindfulness. The Japanese coined the term to explain a physiological and psychological way to prevent technology burnout and reconnect with nature.Â
How to Find Zen
Satisfaction is essential in learning to live in silence. When we know to find joy with fewer things such as external stimuli, or sources of entertainment, we accept the chance to let something go.
How do you express yourself? When we talk, do we listen? The next time you are in a conversation, stop talking and begin listening. Empty chatter says little. When we are in a conversation and want to convey our thoughts, we can think of a simple yet powerful way to express ourselves.Â
Expressing appreciation isn’t as easy as we think. A part of appreciation lies in our expression. We may not understand the value of relationships until we learn to listen. Listening to others is twofold: we can simplify how we express ourselves and show others how we appreciate them.Â
Finding zen includes putting aside anything that distracts us. For example, phones make it easy to keep in touch with people, but do they prevent us from staying focused on those we are with? Yes. Whether we check our notifications, answer a call, text, or scroll, we are distracted from what is happening.Â
We need to learn how to let go of any thought that doesn’t help serve us. Harmful thoughts can harm our zen. Through practice or therapy, we can learn how to replace negative thoughts with positive thinking.
Meditation asks us to think about our mind, body, and emotions. Finding our zen is discovering how our mind, body, and emotions connect. We should listen to how our mind feels as we include mindful practices, such as writing and painting.Â
Perseverance is essential when we begin to discover what silences our minds. By letting go of life’s unnecessary distractions, we allow ourselves to start our zen journey. As we begin to discover ourselves, we can immerse fully in a treatment center that encourages us to change how we see things. A quiet setting where the sound of nature surrounds us truly nurtures our joy. We can learn about ourselves in comfort found here at Avalon Malibu. Begin your journey here with us. Call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
