Everything is transient

It is therefore illusory to believe in the permanence of things in this world. 

In Buddhist Zen, we know that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. 

A beautiful example of this is the "Symondsbury Zen Garden," which I and my students created at a magical place of power in the southwest of England. Have a look...some pictures.

We used the garden for several year as a refuge of peace and relaxation and for meditation. After I left the area for a while, my students cared for this beauty spot another two years and after that the landowner required the plot back.

Hoping for repairs from the doctor

The negative news surrounding current medical care in our country, Germany, is endless.
From a 115 perspective, I can only say that, unfortunately, most of it is self-inflicted. And these self-inflicted illnesses are destroying one of the best healthcare systems in the world, bit by bit.
By self-inflicted illnesses, I mean:

1. Systematically self-inflicted illnesses, such as those caused by smoking, drinking, or excessive obesity.

2. Visiting the doctor as a "hobby" or to have someone to talk to.

3. The greedy influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the healthcare system.

The list goes on and on. More personal responsibility is required! Keep your "boat" in good seaworthy condition! Get involved in health policy before you end up in the hospital yourself!

About Breathing

 It doesn't have to be a self-made Zen Garden, as pictured here.

More than four years ago, my students and I created the Symondsbury Zen Garden. It was meant to be a place for meditation. But you can practice relaxing breathing almost anywhere. When sitting, ensure your back is straight and don't squeeze your stomach. 

I always practice my breathing in the morning before meditation. Or sometimes in the evening, when I'm already in bed. This usually leads quickly to sleep. I strongly advise against practising this kind of exercise while driving. Deep breathing is too relaxing and can negatively affect your driving.

Two legs for running

It doesn't have to be the marathon distance. The journey is more important than the destination, even when running. As the poet and thinker Goethe said, "Travel for the sake of travelling."  

And once you've started, the next step becomes easier. Honestly, this creature, called my inner demon, usually gets the better of me initially. And that's despite a few worn-out running shoes. It's the beginning, getting up on my ass, that's it.  

Unfortunately, humans are wired to take the easiest route. Why should I run when I can drive? Those who run regularly not only get more out of life. 

They are also generally healthier, sleep better, are more relaxed, and look better because fresh air positively affects their skin.

 Horst Lindenau, a Longevity consultant, completed the Berlin Marathon in 1992

Carpe diem!

The phrase "Carpe diem!" comes from the final line of Carmen 1:11, written around 23 BC. In the poem's context, it is an exhortation to use the limited time of life today and not rely on the next day. According to Wikipedia. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpe_diem 

 It's the completely natural course of life. We come and go. But that sounds too dramatic and abstract. What isn't abstract is if I want to do something specific today and don't want to postpone it until tomorrow for any important reason. Or, what you can do today, don't postpone until tomorrow.

The diary is good for your health

Why is that?
Keeping a diary means relaxing from everyday life and letting go of what's happened as soon as it's written down. Regular journaling can strengthen the immune system, prevent illness, and reduce stress. It can have a similar effect to jogging or even meditation. By writing down events, we become clearer about our feelings. Thoughts can be revisited. The result is more balance and improved self-esteem.

And there's no need for an expensive, elaborate notebook. Any small note book will suffice. Another advantage is that you can "monitor" yourself excellently. What about those resolutions last year? And there's nothing more exciting than embarking on a journey into yourself. Try reading your diary from five years ago...

 

Fate

I just met my parking neighbour and complimented him on his new car. He needed a larger vehicle because his wife has been in a nursing home since a stroke, and when he picks her up and wants to take her out, he can fit her more easily in the new car. She weighs 95 kilos, he tells me. 

He is a rather small man in his 70s. Then there's his daughter, a beautiful young Turkish woman, who was in a serious traffic accident five years ago and has been physically disabled ever since.

As I listened attentively, he revealed other stories in his family. His older daughter has a severely physically disabled nine-year-old boy. He suffers from asbestos and receives a good pension, but a lot of it goes towards his wife's health and care. 

And he doesn't feel comfortable here anymore anyway, far from his homeland, and he can't go back at his age. Fate has been unkind to me, he said.
All I could answer him was, if you look closely, everyone has to endure these kinds of blows of fate. And it's spring!

But with a positive attitude, this fate is easier to experience. There's also another kind of fate: the changeable kind. People believe they can change their own destiny, and I prefer that kind of fate.

I watch TV

As you already know, I'm not a big fan of watching TV." To sum it up in one sentence: If you want to grow personally and lead a healthy, happy, and successful life, the first thing to do is get rid of your TV.

Anyone who thinks even the slightest bit that TV can relax, inform, or entertain is on the wrong track. In the long run, watching TV not only makes people stupid, it also makes them sick. 

Children are especially at risk. For some "adults," it's often already too late to control their TV consumption.

I found the image above quite apt for reflection. It shows the empty TV casing as an installation. (What each person wants to put in there is quite individual.)

But it's not just TV that condemns us to passive "participation." Very similar dangers lurk in front of the PC. Content or not, active surfing, choosing from more than "just" 36 TV channels. None of this should obscure the fact that real life still takes place. And, as with TV, it's not just the content that causes negativity. No, eyes, posture, passivity, and ultimately the flood of stimuli leave their mark in the long run.

I'd like to label this post "Think " because, of course, everyone will decide for themselves.