Simple Steps From a Japanese Monk to Have a Clear Mind
Having a clear mind has an essential impact on lives.
The mind produces thoughts, and thoughts lead decisions.
We give decisions each second, and it reaches millions of decisions end of the day.
The decisions finalize with an action like a movement or speech.
Constant movements become habits.
Daily habits construct our lives.
There are many ways to clear our minds, habits to be gained, routines to be formed.
But today, I want to suggest simple actions to refresh our minds and hearts.
I read the book “A Monk’s Guide to Clean House and Mind” by Shoukei Matsumoto.
A Japanese Zen Buddhist Monk explains the ancient traditional meditative techniques to cleans not only our house but also our minds.
The Buddhist approach advises how few simple changes to our daily habits will transform our minds refreshed, happier, and fulfilled.
For Japan, cleaning your living space and removing dirt have linked to ‘cultivating the mind.’
Respect for ourselves and our minds begins with the act of cleaning, so do it as your first activity of the day.
I have never been to Japan before, but I have visited Eastern Buddhist temples in other countries, and I found them extremely clean. The monks mop up the temple’s ground every morning in silence and appear cheerful.
Polishing the floor temple is a mindful activity; they aim to avoid any unnecessary thoughts through wiping, allowing your mind to focus only on the task in hand.
When doing cleaning alone, you should be looking inward and try to clean your mind and brighten your heart.
“People who don’t respect objects don’t respect people,” said Shoukei.
In Buddhism, people should avoid wasteful because they have gratitude towards objects.
It sounds incomprehensible, but they believe tremendous time and effort put into creating an object which reflects the ‘heart’ of the person who has made it.
So simply respecting an object respecting to its creator.
However, storing stuff in a cupboard as forgotten is trivializing, so reviving their energy by applying small changes or donating someone who might need them.
Repairing a torn seam is a similar action, like fixing the relationship between yourself and others.
The relationships with objects are a reflection of our relationships with people.
“If you use an object for as long as you can carefully, repairing it when necessary, you will find that not only your relationship with objects begins to change, but so will the way you relate to people”
A neat and tidy environment creates a space for energy flow. Your mind is not distracted by environmental factors, it is easier to focus on your thoughts, and your decision-making skills increase so try to eliminate the unused objects in your life.
“A room filled to the brim with so many things that they can no longer to be organized is proof of a clouded heart. The growth of mold in a room coincides with the growth of mold in the heart” Shoukei explains.
I wish you all a clean house and mind.
Namaste.
If you liked this article, you may enjoy the below articles:
