When Then Zen

Start a timer for 10 minutes. Sit upright on a normal chair, hands resting in your lap, one palm nestled in the other. Eyes closed, chin slightly down. "Look" (behind eyelids) about 45deg down. Breathe through your nose. Keep your attention on your breath. Count them (breathe in... breathe out... "1"... breathe in... breathe out... "2" .... up to 10, then back down to one, and back up to 10 etc.

If/when thoughts arise, as they will, be aware that that's what's happening ("ah, I'm thinking about work") and return to the count. If you lose count, just start again at one.

Practicing this directing of your attention, and learning to gain even a small amount of separation from your thoughts, takes time, but for many people (including myself) it's transformative. Let me know if you try it, or even if you want to sit zazen together remotely (eg on zoom or jit.si).

PS Cool personal site.