Living Zen

Jan Chozen Bays, MD - physician and Zen teacher - has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives. Exercises include: taking three deep breaths before answering the phone, noticing and adjusting your posture throughout the day, eating mindfully, and leaving no trace of yourself after using the kitchen or bathroom. Each exercise is presented with tips on how to remind yourself and a short life lesson connected with it.

In Opening to Oneness, Zen teacher Nancy Baker offers a detailed path of practice for Zen students planning to take the precepts and for anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, interested in deepening their personal study of ethical living.

Growing old is not a crime. It is an achievement to be cherished. A well-lived life, with grace and dignity, is within the reach of most people. Society should embrace it. I am no spring chicken. And you won’t be either - one of these days. Should we meekly accept society’s verdict that youth is fantastic and then it’s downhill all the way? Or should we fight? To show the youngsters that we know a thing or two about the world that can help them. That we have fought more battles than they can think of and come out on top.