Simple Frugality

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Be a Hell Yes to Life

· Mindfulness & Mastery

So often, we reject the experience in front of us. It’s usually out of habit, from not wanting this particular experience, not liking the discomfort or uncertainty … or really not liking the fact that we aren’t going to get what we want. We reject the experience in front of us: This rejection of our experience is why …

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We’re All Monastics Now

· Mindfulness & Mastery

My Zen teacher Susan recently told a group of her students at the end of a Zen meditation retreat, “We’re all monastics now.” In this global pandemic, we’re in an era of isolation, retreat. We’re also in an era of heightened uncertainty. This can be a terrible thing, and drive us to loneliness and distraction … or it …

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The Practice of Meticulous Attention

All day long, we’re only giving anything a fraction of our attention. We’re distracted, multitasking, opening multiple browser tabs, checking phone messages and social media. I’m a part of this like anyone else. I’m not immune, and I don’t judge. This fractured, scattered, partial attention has many deleterious …

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The Importance of Meditation in Crazy Times

· Mindfulness & Mastery

These are times of heightened change, disruption, uncertainty, fear, anxiety. It can feel pretty crazy for most of us. So how do we cope? What can we do in the middle of chaos and crisis? This is when meditation becomes of critical importance. Without meditation, we have no way of dealing with the anxieties coming up. …

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4 Mindfulness Practices That We Need Right Now

· Mindfulness & Mastery

In the middle of the chaos of the world right now, what can we do to take care of ourselves? Let’s talk about a handful of simple mindfulness practices that can be helpful. Let these practices help you through this troubled time, my friends.

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Dealing with the Immense Uncertainty of the World

· Mindfulness & Mastery

The world is in a state of fear and uncertainty right now, and it’s stressful and overwhelming for most of us. This kind of fear, stress, uncertain and overwhelm can have some really strong effects on our lives: These are just some of the strong effects from a constant sense of fear, uncertainty, stress and overwhelm. …

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The Power of Getting Clarity

· Purpose-Filled Work & Life

Before I started Zen Habits, I was in a place in my life where I had a beautiful family, but I was stuck and dissatisfied with myself. I knew I wanted to change things — my health, finances, job, way that I was approaching life — but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do about any of it. Most of the time, I just …

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Undone: The Unprocrastination Challenge

· Productivity & Organization

This month, I’m issuing a challenge to all of you procrastinators … and no, you can’t make the joke that you’ll do it later! The challenge is called Undone: The Unprocrastination Challenge, and it’s a part of my Sea Change Program. The challenge is to set aside an “unprocrastination session” every day — it just has to …

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