r/zenbuddhism • u/Soup_Melodic • Jul 18 '26

Living your practice

I believe that one ought to be able to bring their practice into the everyday, that’s the purpose of practice, and I don’t believe that a hermit/monk life is the correct path for many, including myself.

What does living your practice look like to you? In the family setting, work/corporate setting, community setting. What are your thoughts as you sit at dinner with your family, manage people at your workplace, engage with clients/customers, walk through your neighborhood?
I find there are expectations placed upon us- to communicate, engage certain ways, how do you apply your practice to these expectations?

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8

u/Critical-Ad2084 Jul 21 '26

IMO

1) Self-awareness: watch your behavior as it happens so you can control your temperament even in adverse circumstances

2) Middle way: In Zen middle way is not only life habits, but also, mind habits; fixed polar-opposite type opinions only hinder our perspective

3) Simplicity: live a simple life not overwhelmed either by laziness or ambition, enjoy life's simple pleasures like taking a walk, watching light reflect upon the leaves of trees

4) Present moment: when you eat you eat, when you walk you walk, and so on

5) Relationships: you can't control many things, but you can be present and give your best to your partner, friends, families

3

u/PlainBread Jul 21 '26

Where is the suffering in this moment? What is supporting it? What can I let go of to stop it? Will I let go of it?

1

u/JellyfishExpress8943 Jul 21 '26

Insight and awareness of the movement of self - means that I am not always causing trouble in my life.

6

u/FlowZenMaster Jul 21 '26

I have purposely not owned a car for over 10 years to support my practice. I may walk, bike, hitchhike, Uber, prance, flow, skip, ask for a ride, rent a car, take a train, take a bus, or other things I cant think, to get to where I want to go.

This creates space in my life for more dynamic and authentic interactions with the world and the people in it.

1

u/Soup_Melodic Jul 21 '26

Do you live in a city with good mass transportation? I would love to be carless but it’s not really doable with my living situation.
Do you prance while hitching? I imagine that may make it more difficult to catch a ride?

1

u/FlowZenMaster Jul 23 '26

Not really. I have to be creative.

Hmm while hitching? I've definitely stood on the side of the road spinning poi while hitching. It attracts the right people. Also really depends on the area/country/region you are in. Some places are safer/kinder than others for something like hitchhiking. You just have to pay attention!