Before Breakfast Make big projects doable, with Jin Zheng Shi
10 snips
Aug 27, 2025 Jin Zheng Shi, an ordained Buddhist nun and graduate student, shares her unique journey of balancing monastic life with academic pursuits. She delves into the challenges of maintaining a rigorous schedule, including early mornings and intensive study. The conversation touches on her transformation from a tea sales career to embracing a deeper spiritual path. Jin emphasizes the importance of realistic goal-setting, time management, and the joy of writing, all while integrating Buddhist themes into her creative endeavors.
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Career Shift To Monastic Life
- Jin Zheng Shi shifted from a decade in tea sales to full-time monastic life after years of monastery involvement.
- She pursued ordination when she realized she had the potential and the path opened for her.
Plan Time By The Week
- Look at your time in weekly blocks rather than just daily slices to fit intensive commitments.
- Use a weekly view to allocate limited hours for long-term training or projects.
Rigorous Monastery Daily Rhythm
- The monastery enforces a rigorous, highly structured daily schedule that starts around 3:30 a.m. and includes multiple ceremonies and work periods.
- That structure creates limited free time and requires careful planning to add outside responsibilities like school.
