- “What we are experiencing right now will never happen again”
- Ikigui - discovering something we become passionate about and which also comes easily to us
- Kaika - when something unknown begins to blossom within us
- Ikigui + Kaika + Time = Man kai
- 4 emotions
- Anger - survival instinct “like holding a hot coal with intent of throwing”
- Sadness - sense of loss, ties us to the past.
- Fear - ties us to the future
- Happiness - with a cause (temporary), without a cause (contentment)
- Zen
- Just sit
- Savor moment ast last
- Avoid distractions
- Free from all non-essential
- Be your own friend
- Celebrate imperfection
- Practise compassion
- Let go of expectation
- During pain - remind yourself it is temporary, it is inevitable, and suffering is not
- Chance - for some things, enjoy where chance takes you (eg restaurant, book, movies etc)
- Awareness - keep a diary/talk to creative people/meditate/pay more attention
- Personal time - once/week, sit by yourself in a cafe/tea house, engage your senses
- Listening - ask questions without interrupting, “So you’re saying that”. Don’t give unsolicited advice.
- Seeing - once/week, swap city<>countryside, on commute swap phone <> awareness of surroundings
- Touch - be aware of texture of day to day things - feel the weather against your skin
- Tasting - blindfold apple eating - note the taste
- Smell - we remember 3% what we see, 5% of what we hear, 35% of what we smell. pine = stress relief, lavender = sleep, mint = concentration
- Art of an event/party is an unique experience that’ll enrich the lives
- Unlock creativity in anyone by asking “What if…?”
Zen meditation routine, 20 mins per day:
- Sit in a peaceful spot, where no one can bother you. You can use a meditation cushion or a simple chair. Sit comfortably with straight back
- Focus all your attention on the air that slowly enters and leaves your nostrils. Give all your attention to this life-giving process.
- To help you concentrate, you can count your breaths in groups of ten. If you lose count, or a thought pulls you into past/future, start counting again.
- Don’t worry if, while you meditate, many thoughts come into your mind. Let them pass by without judging them.
- If during the meditation you manage to keep your mind free of thoughts for only a few seconds, consider this a success.
- Don’t transition too quickly from meditation to activity. Give yourself time to stretch and move your body.