# Essential Zen Habits ![rw-book-cover](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31n4HIDxQgL._SL200_.jpg) ## Metadata - Author:: [[Leo Babauta]] - Full Title:: Essential Zen Habits - Category: #books ## Highlights > “The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” -Okakura Kakuzo ([Location 65](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=65)) > Because the mind is like a little child — constantly seeking comfort and pleasure and control. ([Location 74](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=74)) - Tags: [[favorite]] > This Childish Mind is playing a Mind Movie all the time, about how our lives should be so comfortable and pleasurable and orderly. The mind then runs from discomfort and fear and change and confusion, which aren’t at all the fantasy playing in the Mind Movie. ([Location 75](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=75)) > This Mind Movie and the rebellion of the Childish Mind is not just at the heart of our struggles with habit change; it’s at the heart of all our struggles. When we procrastinate on the important work we want to do, when we avoid pursuing our creative dreams because of fear of failure, when we struggle with healthy eating and exercise, when we are frustrated with other people or ourselves or our life situation … these struggles are a result of the Childish Mind and the Mind Movie. ([Location 80](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=80)) > I highly recommend that you practice expecting imperfection. You won’t do this habit perfectly — no one does. So expect to mess up, consider it a part of the process, and just enjoy the journey. ([Location 184](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=184)) - Note: Gfr : done is better than perfect > Seneca that moves me and which I encourage you to reflect on today: “You are living as if destined to live forever ... you don’t notice how much time has already passed, but squander it as though you had a full and overflowing supply — though all the while that very day ... may be your last.” Seneca also said that “putting things off is the biggest waste of life.” ([Location 326](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=326)) > Dogen, the great Zen master, also wrote: “Students today should begrudge every moment of time. This dewlike life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the Way.” ([Location 328](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=328)) # Essential Zen Habits ![rw-book-cover](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31n4HIDxQgL._SL200_.jpg) ## Metadata - Author:: [[Leo Babauta]] - Full Title:: Essential Zen Habits - Category: #books ## Highlights > “The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” -Okakura Kakuzo ([Location 65](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=65)) > Because the mind is like a little child — constantly seeking comfort and pleasure and control. ([Location 74](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=74)) - Tags: [[favorite]] > This Childish Mind is playing a Mind Movie all the time, about how our lives should be so comfortable and pleasurable and orderly. The mind then runs from discomfort and fear and change and confusion, which aren’t at all the fantasy playing in the Mind Movie. ([Location 75](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=75)) > This Mind Movie and the rebellion of the Childish Mind is not just at the heart of our struggles with habit change; it’s at the heart of all our struggles. When we procrastinate on the important work we want to do, when we avoid pursuing our creative dreams because of fear of failure, when we struggle with healthy eating and exercise, when we are frustrated with other people or ourselves or our life situation … these struggles are a result of the Childish Mind and the Mind Movie. ([Location 80](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=80)) > I highly recommend that you practice expecting imperfection. You won’t do this habit perfectly — no one does. So expect to mess up, consider it a part of the process, and just enjoy the journey. ([Location 184](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=184)) - Note: Gfr : done is better than perfect > Seneca that moves me and which I encourage you to reflect on today: “You are living as if destined to live forever ... you don’t notice how much time has already passed, but squander it as though you had a full and overflowing supply — though all the while that very day ... may be your last.” Seneca also said that “putting things off is the biggest waste of life.” ([Location 326](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=326)) > Dogen, the great Zen master, also wrote: “Students today should begrudge every moment of time. This dewlike life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the Way.” ([Location 328](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B019NS21MY&location=328))