There are many ways to practice. One of the strongest ways is

to devote ourselves to practice right in the midst of our work.

It can take many forms such as preparing a meal, cleaning the kitchen, walking the dog, paying bills, washing the car, washing clothes, folding laundry, buying groceries, vacuuming the house….ask yourself if you concentrate & contemplate when you get up to do something?

Take notice of your attitude.

• Do you feel irritated, angry, bothered, disgusted?
• Do you experience resistance to participating in the tasks of ordinary household work?
• Do you get annoyed when YOU find yourself obligated to earn a living?
• Is living life a burden?

Are YOU able to accept your life as it is?

• Do you believe you have chosen the wrong path for your life?
• Do you feel you made the wrong decisions?

Here is a strong suggestion on how to improve your attitude.

1. Take time to determine just ONE activity that improves your mindset.
2. Respect the work without complaint.
3. Make an effort to study your way of life.
4. What is hindering your willingness to accept what comes to you.

The teachings of Buddhism boil down to creating an attitude of mind that accepts our daily work. Buddhism encourages us to accept the work that comes so that we do our very best work.

• You can start by studying the first thought that comes to mind when you awaken.
• Do you resist the thoughts of the day to day work?
• Ask yourself if you are willing to learn how to be content with what comes?

Are you able to see and understand that what shows up in your life is actually a part of your existence?

1. ZAZEN is NOT just sitting in meditation.
2. It is doing just one thing at a time.
3. Give your all to the work in front of you.
4. Think of the work in front of you as a sand mandala.
5. It requires concentration & contemplation of what is right there.

We fare better when we put our shoulder to the wheel.

• Make an effort to pay attention.
• Do not drift off.
• Practice wholeheartedly.

This may sound simple…but what tends to happen is we drift off, we may dislike the work and want to rush through it or not do it at all.

1. When we follow what the Buddhists call the Way we take it seriously.
2. Go towards the Way.
3. Don’t hesitate. Contemplate the work of the Way.
4. The Way is everpresent but we may have a tendency to get agitated by it.
5. We are in the energy of the Way all the time.
   1. It can be as simple as to turn a light off.
   2. Or lock the doors at night.
   3. Or wash the dishes for the day.
   4. Or get groceries.
   5. Or get a tank of gas.

You get to determine what the Way is in your life.

1. What is the Way asking of YOU right now?
2. It may be that YOU have some spiritual awareness that holds up the Way for you.
3. Following the Way makes spiritual progress easier.
4. Even a small awakening is beneficial.

This is just a short list. It is an encouragement to take a step backward against the agitations of the world and look closely into the Way of your life.

DON’T GIVE UP. Practice small steps in the Way.