Flowing Zen
Let nothing be wasted—not even the task of garden maintenance.
by Takuma Ono
Flow, a mental state that’s colloquially known as being ‘in the zone’, is readily accessed by many—but remains rather elusive to many others. Perhaps you’ve experienced flow while working on a jig saw puzzle or while running a marathon—does it come to you naturally? It’s a highly desirable mental place that a lot of people aspire to be in; benefits of being in flow include improved productivity, sleep, and health. Flow is accompanied by an enveloping sense of confidence, positivity, and relaxation—which collectively work together to enhance learning. It’s possible to be in flow in any activity, practically anywhere you are—if the circumstances allow.
There are clear, known steps one can take to bring oneself into flow.
Choose a task that you find interesting
Choose a task that feels purposeful
Choose a task that matches your skill level (not too easy or too difficult)
Clear time and space so that you can focus on the task for as long as needed
In many ways, traditional zen gardens embody flow. Zen dry gardens are characterized by patterns that represent flow and fluidity, which are quite literally drawn into fine gravel (or coarse sand) using a wooden rake. The monks, who are stewards of such gardens, attain flow through the act of raking and maintaining the area of gravel. Each step of the pattern making exercise—from the initial clearing of debris to the act of smoothing out the gravel surface prior to raking a pattern—is recognized as a way of connecting with the present, as a form of moving meditation. It is generally recognized that masterful patterns are created by those who have deeply learned the skill through practice—the patterns are expressions of living in the here and now, being fully present. Being present is to receive what appears in the frame with an open mind, without preconceptions—and this state reinforces flow.
Perhaps most importantly, the process of making is what matters more than the product of making. This understanding is reinforced by the fact that patterns drawn into the areas of gravel are continually created and erased; in this way, the austere Zen dry garden highlights change and the cycle of life and death. By extension, it is understood that a steward of a Zen dry garden is a steward of change. A steward of change learns to see change as an opportunity rather than as an adversary or liability—and this is an important facet of living Zen.
Read my blog post on why austere dry gardens developed alongside the practice of Zen here.