I practiced Zen for a short time. I now practice the art of flow.
Both are about enjoying the moment, being open and present.
But where zen is about stillness, flow is about movement.
Where zen is about full consciousness, flow is about getting lost in the movements of life, in work, in what we love doing.
Flow is about being so fully involved in what we do to point of forgetting time.
Where zen requires openness and consciousness, flow requires passion, love and challenge.
Where zen is about doing less, flow is about doing more, developing skills and mastering an art.
Where image of zen is the Buddha meditating in perfect stillness, flow is Leonardo Da Vinci painting. If you can find flow every day, in your work, in your family life, in your free time, you’ll be forever happy.
Zen and flow are not opposite, just different. I see life is full of things to see, do, taste, try. Life is full of colors, it is vibrant and beautiful.
Take the time to sit, breathe, listen and look.
But also you must run in the rain, smell flowers, see the rainbows, drink wine, play with friends, dream and do crazy things.
Enjoy and accept the challenges life brings you, appreciate life as it is.
This is one way to be happy.
Martin Pham Dinh 