Many people have different ideas of what “zen” is. Through my personal experiences, I have found that zen is all about self-study, self-examination, and self-observation, and leads to an understanding of your organic nature. As one begins to understand their nature more and more, there’s a windfall of attributes that follow, such as becoming more relaxed and at ease. Physical nature is the consummate representation of what “zen” is because it behaves in a way that is organic to its nature. Nature always looks and feels relaxed, peaceful and free. For example, when the ocean manifests enormous, ominous waves, it embodies relaxed power, command and freedom. It’s calm even though the waves are ferocious because it exists in it’s authentic nature.

Giving yourself time alone is the key to attaining a relaxed life. Why? A practice that involves only you encourages you to look inward. Within this practice, you begin to understand yourself more and more, yielding a life of relaxation, balance, happiness and peacefulness. You do only what appeals to you and your individual nature. You adopt the ability to ebb and flow with ease in relation to everyone and everything that comes your way. Knowing your nature allows you to connect to your intuit, the greatest guide. The practice of Zen teaches us to listen to this intuit: our gut. Our organic natural state is the most beautiful peaceful condition.