10% Happier with Dan Harris

Zen Ways To Build Routines, Concentrate Your Mind, and Simplify Your Life

142 snips
Sep 28, 2025
Join writer and leadership coach Jo Confino along with Brother Chan Phap Huu, a Zen monk and former attendant to Thich Nhat Hanh, as they explore the essence of Zen. They delve into mindfulness and humility, revealing how simple routines can hold profound meaning. Discover the beauty in mundane tasks, the sacredness of everyday objects, and the balance between sophistication and simplicity in spiritual practice. The conversation culminates with a heartfelt guided meditation, inviting listeners to embrace gratitude and presence.
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ANECDOTE

Birdwatching Sparked Reflection

  • Jo described feeling joy watching cranes and a robin, which led him to reflect on Zen's simplicity.
  • That simple witnessing inspired the episode's focus on practicing presence in daily life.
INSIGHT

Zen Is Meditation First

  • Zen is fundamentally a meditation tradition focused on stopping (samatha) and looking deeply to cultivate insight.
  • Stopping anchors attention in the present so concentration and insight can arise from daily activities.
ADVICE

Use Physical Arts To Build Presence

  • Bring physical disciplines (archery, martial arts) into practice to train body awareness and support stillness.
  • Translate concentration from formal sitting into active contexts like meetings or work.
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