Living intentionally is a powerful tool for self-improvement, and it's one of the ways to achieve an alert calm state. One of the ways that I get into this flow state is through music, and specifically, minimal house music like The Social Network OST by Trent Reznor.
When we live intentionally, we are more focused, alert, and calm. This allows us to be our best selves, as we are able to give our full attention to the task at hand and to make better decisions. Zen philosopher Taizan Maezumi said, "Attention is the key to the door of the present moment."
Being more alert is another benefit of living intentionally. Zen master Shunryu Suzuki stated, "The most important point is to be in the right state of mind. You should be calm but not indifferent, attentive but not obsessed." When we are fully present and alert, we are able to pick up on subtle cues and signals that might otherwise go unnoticed. This heightened awareness allows us to make better decisions and navigate the world with greater ease and confidence.
A concept related to living intentionally is calming awareness, which is a practice of using the present moment to focus on the breath, the body, and the environment. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh said, "Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile." This helps to release tension, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Living intentionally is a powerful tool for self-improvement. It's essential to plan our days and take charge of how we spend our time and energy. The key is to become meditative and mindful in our approach to life. There's no need to stick to traditional forms of meditation, in fact, you can find your flow state in various ways, whether it's through walking, writing, listening to music, or any other activity that brings you peace and focus.
Getting into the flow state allows us to achieve a state of alert calm, where we can give our full attention to the task at hand and make better decisions.
It's about striving for perfect and clean alertness and becoming our perfect selves. You’re a human being. You were meant to do great things.
“You should be calm but not indifferent, attentive but not obsessed.” Woah, amazing quote. Living with intention and making better, more conscious decisions - love it! Maybe the way I get into an alert calm state is by focusing when I draw.