The idea of relaxed and full concentration, where you easily flow through all the tasks on your to do list, seems like an impossible dream but with this increasingly popular Japanese practice for concentration, we could all be catching a new wave of zen.
Ichigyo zammai [or ‘one practice concentration’ ] is a Japanese term for the practice of full concentration on one single activity. While this seems like a fairly simple practice to master, apparently 47% of our waking hours are spent thinking about something totally unrelated to what’s currently right in front of us. Perceiving and responding in programmed, habitual ways is something we can change.
Why does multi-tasking feel so good, when in fact, it leads to added stress and is less productive than doing one thing at a time? Often we multi-task out of habit, but we also get an emotional boost from it. Each time we tick off a task from the list we get instant gratification and a dollop of dopamine.
Our brains, [however,] are not wired for continuous distraction and decision-making. Research found that it actually damages your brain and suggests that the cognitive damage associated with multi-tasking could be permanent.
Our brains, [however,] are not wired for continuous distraction and decision-making. Research found that it actually damages your brain and suggests that the cognitive damage associated with multi-tasking could be permanent.
Many people are in constant state of mental distraction. Our minds are constantly moving about at a lightning pace: thinking about the future, replaying conversations from the past, engaging in inner role-playing, and so on. Our inner world is a mixture of fantasy and reality. We’re so busy creating an appealing image for others to see that we do not truly engage with others or ourselves. We take whatever we’re doing for granted, because it’s dull or routine.
In his book, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Sunryu Suzuki described ‘one practice concentration’. He said that, when we are fully present in doing one activity, we express our true nature.
So instead of having some object of worship, we just concentrate on the activity which we do in each moment. When you bow, you should just bow; when you sit, you should just sit; when you eat, you should just eat.
Zen is concentrating on our usual routine; it’s not about having yet another thing to do and get anxious about.
Zen is not something to get excited about. Some people start to practice Zen just out of curiosity, and they only make themselves busier. If your practice makes you worse, it is ridiculous... Just continue in your calm, ordinary practice and your character will be built up…because when your practice is calm and ordinary, everyday life itself is enlightenment.
Source: UPLIFT - We Are One