Category: Zen

Don't Look Around

5/12/2026

An American man completed Zen training in Japan and was given the gift of a monk's robe by his teacher. Inside the robe, his teacher carefully embroidered this last piece of advice: Don't look around. The teacher was a true Zen master because that sentence, if applied, can prevent a wide variety of misery that we bring upon ourselves when we do look around. It's a reminder to
- Tend your own garden
- Mind your own business
- Don't compete
- Don't compare
- Be focused on your life . . .
Everything you need for growing in wisdom will be found within not without.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Meditate on a Koan part 1

3/7/2026

A koan is a short statement or story which is much like a riddle. Koans are often used in Zen Buddhism and are designed to force a meditator to "think outside the box." Because a koan statement is odd, unusual, ridiculous and even bizarre, the meditator must truly focus to come up with an answer.

Here are three to choose from:
-What is the sound of one hand clapping?
-How do you step from a 100-foot pole?
-Can a dog or a cat become enlightened?
Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit

Live Like a Zen Monk

12/16/2025

This Zen proverb of six words is mindfulness in a nutshell: When walking, walk. When eating, eat. It reminds us to do one thing at a time; to do it slowly; to do it deliberately; and to do it completely. This can and ought to be expanded into daily life. Here are some ways:

- When listening to a friend, listen.
- When mowing your lawn, mow.
- When loading the dishwasher, load.
- When sitting with your cat, sit.
- When driving, drive.
- When working, work.

By approaching daily living this way, you'll discover the joy of living like a Zen monk because your daily mindfulness will bring you calm, peace, perspective and tranquility.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha

Don't Look Around

Meditate on a Koan part 1

Live Like a Zen Monk

Victor M. Parachin ... a

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