Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 21
UNDERSTANDING ZEN: A
PATH TO MINDFULNESS
AND SIMPLICITY
APPLYING ZEN
PRINCIPLES TO DIGITAL
DISCONNECTION
Zen is a school of Mahayana
Buddhism that emphasises
direct experience and
medita琀椀on over theore琀椀cal
knowledge. Origina琀椀ng in
China as Chan Buddhism
and later 昀氀ourishing in Japan,
Zen focuses on a琀琀aining
enlightenment through
mindfulness, simplicity, and
self-realisa琀椀on. Central to
Zen prac琀椀ce is ‘zazen’ or
seated medita琀椀on, which
cul琀椀vates a deep awareness
of the present moment.
This prac琀椀ce encourages
individuals to observe their
thoughts without a琀琀achment,
fostering a state of inner
peace and clarity.
Incorpora琀椀ng Zen into our
approach to technology
involves cul琀椀va琀椀ng
mindfulness and inten琀椀onality
in our digital interac琀椀ons.
1. Mindful Awareness: Zen
teaches us to be fully
present in each moment.
By becoming aware of
our digital habits, we
can iden琀椀fy pa琀琀erns
of mindless scrolling or
compulsive checking of
devices. This awareness
is the 昀椀rst step towards
inten琀椀onal disconnec琀椀on.
Tip: Schedule “tech
mindfulness breaks”. Create
moments where you stop
and no琀椀ce your body,
breath, and surroundings.
2. Simplicity and Minimalism:
Zen advocates for
simplicity in all aspects of
life. Applying this to
ISCONNECTION
our digital world means
declu琀琀ering our devices,
unsubscribing from
unnecessary no琀椀昀椀ca琀椀ons,
and focusing only on
essen琀椀al applica琀椀ons.
This minimalist approach
reduces digital noise and
enhances focus.
Tip: Use grayscale mode
to make your phone less
visually en琀椀cing.
3. Non-A琀琀achment: A
core Zen concept is nona琀琀achment to material
possessions and outcomes.
In the digital realm, this
translates to not being
overly a琀琀ached to our
online personas, social
media valida琀椀on, or the
need to be constantly
updated. Le琀�ng go
of these a琀琀achments
can alleviate stress and
promote mental freedom.
Tip: Start to no琀椀ce when
you are checking your
phone to 昀椀ll a void and
see if you can just sit with
that feeling.
