Zen With or Without a Cushion

Zen With or Without a Cushion

By Jo Anne Preston

I started writing this piece on the day of the U.S. 2024 national election. Perhaps you joined me-and what felt like an entire nation-collectively holding our breath. Practicing breathing deeply has been top of mind ever since. I’m grateful to IZL for helping me be more aware of how my breathing matters; how to re-ground and be bigger than any challenge I face. Without breath, I lose my perspective. With breath, my perspective is renewed and I am reminded that giving still matters. I remember that we are here to make our contribution, and giving is receiving. 

We give in many ways, and the work of IZL assists at every question. We:

Give away – We move something out of the way that is impeding us, (like nudging that dog off the meditation mat, or sharing it, as the case may be), but more importantly, give away our own historically crafted prisons of thought. When we give away what no longer serves us, we make way for new energy to be ready to do the work we are called to do without the weight of the ego’s doubts holding us down. Where might you give away to make space for something bigger?

Give meaning – When we have “posture, breath, and focus,” we can let go of the attachment of meaning that we have assigned things. Most of us have an internal habit of saying, “this means that.” Maybe it does, but maybe it doesn’t. What is possible when seen through opened eyes?

Give in – Give inward. Give in to allowing ourselves the gift of taking action toward something we need but may resist, like time set aside for growth, contemplation, meditation. What might you gift into yourself in pursuit of realizing your best self?

Give up – It’s an option. Sometimes a good one, when it comes to examining our commitments. But before either holding on or giving up, critically think, “What have I said yes to, and do I still say yes?” Decluttering frees us to recommit to that which we can really give something. And speaking of which – 

Give to – We know that giving to others is the quickest route to our own wellness. Duke University has collected a wonderful body of research on well-being (check it out – https://hsq.dukehealth.org/well-being-toolkit/ ). A key finding that likely we have all experienced is that the giver experiences a boost in emotional and mental health that outshines the happiness of the receiving party. What might you gift others so that they can receive what you have gained through the loving circle of IZL and its teachings?

Give and Receive – I had a scholarship to attend my first Zen Leader-HEAL program https://zenleader.global/heal-1-program/ which is focused on leaders and caregivers working in healthcare settings. This life-changing experience inspired me to pay it forward wherever I can. One of the ways I have enjoyed giving back has been the ZL: Alive Off the Cushion monthly gatherings https://zenleader.global/zl-alive-off-the-cushion/. We have structured a way to stay connected on a monthly basis, and coordinating this effort with my IZL colleagues has returned more to me than I gave it many times over. Even if you are new to IZL, join us here to learn more in a circle of open arms. 

Give what you can – Among the many places in need of your generosity, please consider giving to IZL, either in a monetary donation for scholarships or your time and effort; maybe as an alum of a program, you might consider teaching one of the monthly ZL: Alive Off the Cushion sessions?

Leadership matters, and leaders equipped to deliver what we need in these times are fostered through this community.

The pebble ripples.

Jo Anne Preston is an Zen Leader Practitioner and a ZL: Alive Off The Cushion facilitator.

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