Enjoy this NotebookLM AI-generated audio conversation based this post:

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This audio discussion details my journey from overwhelming stress and burnout as a solopreneur to finding calm and clarity through Zen practices.

It’s based on this post:

I initially struggled with the lack of structure and the resulting pressures of self-employment. Some time later, I experienced some health issues, including hypertension and anxiety.

I explained how simple Zen-inspired routines, such as daily solitary walks and limiting his to-do list, helped him manage stress and regain his creative drive.

I emphasized that these practices provided a proven path to regaining my center during subsequent life crises, which led me to daily Soto Zen practice and train as a meditation teacher.

Ultimately, the post serves as an inspirational narrative demonstrating how mindfulness and simplicity can transform the challenges of the creative path into opportunities for well-being.

*Audio courtesy of NotebookLM

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zenish.substack.com

Hi everyone —

In this video, I invite you to join me for Monday Evening Zen, which I host every Monday at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time on Google Meet.

These are uncertain times, and Monday Evening Zen offers a brief reprieve from our usual preoccupation with current events and their impacts, allowing us to create internal calm and adopt a practice that we can use anytime and almost anywhere as a refuge in times of need.

This gathering is not about converting anyone to Buddhism or selling anything. Instead, it's an opportunity for us to take a break from the chaos of our daily lives and cultivate calm within ourselves through simple Zen meditation with some minimal guidance from me.

In just 15 short minutes, we can experience together a sense of calm that we can carry back into our busy lives.

If you're interested, please visit the page linked above and register to join us.

I hope to see you there!

—Baz 🙏🏼

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zenish.substack.com

Hello Friends,

Today I’m talking about the importance of community and how it can enrich our lives on the path of more mindful living. Because you signed up to receive these posts, you and I are in this small but growing community of folks who also desire to lead more mindful lives.

However, we’re all part of other communities as well. We’re part of the community where live, where we congregate, learn, shop, even where we travel in cyberspace. So, this concept of community is one that we all know well.

Where mindful living is concerned, our community might be within a meditation app, an online forum, and/or in-person with others. Regardless of which community we reference, we can thrive and grow when we’re part of a community with intentional interaction.

But there’s another way too think about community…

Community as an action

Thus far I’ve named some of the ways we typically think about community - as a noun or a passive element in our lives. But the kind of community I’m talking about here is action-oriented.

* It’s showing up with consistency

* it’s giving of our time, talents, and when appropriate, our money

* it’s lending a hand and pulling others up who fall behind

I like to think of community as an intentional interaction - an action-oriented intentional choice; one in which we are an active contributor instead of a passive observer.

For me, intentional community is…

* showing up each Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm for meditation training, regardless is anyone shows

* showing up each morning at 7:30am for my private meditation group

* being intentional about generosity (always giving the largest bill in my wallet instead of the smallest to those with cardboard signs on busy corners)

There are an endless number of ways we can be intentional when it comes to community. If you have some examples from your own life, I’d love to hear them in the comments. 🙏🏼

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zenish.substack.com