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Fun Zen ::
"Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun" ~misha baryshnikov
Sometimes, being a kid is not as easy as you might think. There are times when I just wanna scream. I want to go ice skating but I can't because I need to do my math homework. I want to stay up late and watch my favorite movie for the tenth time but it's past my bedtime.
Sometimes, I'll be bouncing off the walls but I've got to sit still and focus on an important audition. Arrrrrrrrgggghhhh!!!! What's a kid to do? I'm sure grown-ups have pressures they have to deal with too, but I'm just glad I'm learning how to deal with this stuff now. In fact, I've got a secret weapon. FunZen.
First thing's first, the word zen simply means, stillness, silence or meditation. My Mom teaches meditation and I've been practicing with her since I was little and she makes it fun. That's why I call, what she teaches, FunZen.
It runs in the family, in fact my Great Great Grandpa Sokei-an Sasaki was the first zen master to live in America. He founded the first Zen Institute in Manhattan New York. In the beginning he used to teach in a bookstore across the street from the Plaza Hotel. I wonder if Eloise ever dropped in....Ya never know...
FunZen is all about balance; think Yin & Yang, two different things coming together to make one good thing. Like peanut butter and jelly, flip and flop or Lilo and Stitch, donuts and mustard.
It helps me keep my cool in the pool of life, and as my Mom says, "Where the still water reflects the stars." Like everyone else, there are times when I lose my temper or get frustrated and do things I know I'm not supposed to do. This is when I turn into "The Little Me." It's like Grace with a glitch. Pretty scary. But thanks to everything my Mom has taught me, I can catch myself before I go too far. I head straight to my "FunZen Zone", press my "Zen button", take a few deep blue breaths and ciao (goodbye) "Little Me", hello "Great Me."
When I "shut up and power up" I know the tough times are over and I've earned my "Black Belt for the Soul." I can definitely relate to Disney's Mulan, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most beautiful of all." When I meditate I feel good, it's like a great gift that keeps on giving.
I get a clear mind and peaceful heart. It's kinda hard to describe what it's like though. You have to experience it. Think of it like a new flavor of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. The ingredients sound good, but you really gotta taste it. In fact, I like my FunZen with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
But seriously, getting into the FunZen Zone is so cool. When I'm really in there I feel like Violet from "The Incredibles", I can take a moment and make a force field around myself where nothing can get in...All the distractions just hit the force field and fall away. When this happens, I automatically feel more relaxed and in control, my attitude shifts from gloom to bloom, my concentration improves, things become more clear. Just having that confidence allows me to really be myself and bring out my best. When I'm in the "FunZen Zone", I feel really incredible.
Here's a quick FunZen drill that will help you put on the brakes when everything seems to be racing out of control. When you feel like you could explode, instead of Ka-Boom!, plant yourself right there, press down your roots, press up through your heavenly crown (heads up) breathe deep and Ka-Bloom! Experience the rare beauty of the flower that blooms from adversity.
"Stop in the Name of Love" FunZen Drill
1. First, get in a comfortable postition. You can do it standing tall, sitting up straight or even lying down in bed.
2. Start by breathing out all of the left over stale air. As you exhale, you are putting on the brakes, shut-up and power up.
3. Now, breathe in deeply through your nose. Feel your lower ribs expanding all the way around (front, sides, back).
*** Note: On the inbreath (The Centered Breath) imagine you are drawing in magnetic energy from your ruby slippers to your miracle diamond core. As Dorothy said, "there's no place like home."
4. Exhale (long breath out) through your mouth. Just say ahhh...Feel the magic of a clear mind, peaceful heart in one simple breath. Feel free to continue as long as you like, work up to 15 minutes.
Thanks for allowing me to share some of my Mom's homecooked FunZen. I hope it works for you as well as it has for me.
TTFN - (Ta Ta For Now)
