10 Minute Workday Zen

This is the final episode in the three-part finale of Season 1! In part one we saw the birth of Siddhartha and heard the prophecy of his future. In part two, Siddhartha saw true suffering for the first time and left his home. In part three, we see Siddhartha's enlightenment through the eyes of Ganesha, god of success and wisdom.

In this episode, we tell part two of our fictional account of Siddhartha's transition from prince to holyman.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we tell part one of the story of Siddhartha Gautama, who would come to be known simply as Buddha. This is part one of a three part Season Finale told from the first person point of view of Siddhartha's father and then, later, Siddhartha himself.

In this episode we read Zen koan "The Most Valuable Thing in the World" and talk about how we can spend our days appreciating and experiencing life rather than wasting it. Feedback, Suggestions, & Comments can be sent to: aitken.entertainment@gmail.com

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we follow-up on the last episode (S01E20) where we read "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carol. Today we talk about strategies for using language to more positively shape our reality.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carol and discuss how language and how we use it can define our reality. This episode is posted one day late due to a storm that knocked out internet in our area on podcast day. :-)

In this episode of"10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Voice of Happiness" and discuss being more honest in day to day life.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road" and talk about the questions you need to ask yourself to find your life's purpose, as well as a great exercise for answering the question, "what is my life's purpose" on paper.

In this episode we continue the mini-series related to Zen koan "A Cup of Tea" as read in Season 1, Episode 15. In S01E15 we read the koan and talked about breathing techniques to calm the mind and gather focus. In S01E16 we went through a guided meditation to help accept the stress of change. In this final part of the series we talk about a technique called Affirmations that can help you focus on the positive.

This is part two of a three part mini series on the Zen koan "A Cup of Tea". Check out Season 1, Episode 15 for part one. In part two we go through a guided meditation to help with acceptance of change in our lives.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "A Cup of Tea" and talk about learning to breathe to promote calm and clarity. This is part one of a three part series related to today’s koan where we explore breathing techniques.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "The Taste of Banzo's Sword" and talk about how developing patience will help us become better in life. As an experiment in concentration, this episode was recorded in one take with background noise in Chris's gym, CrossFit Catonsville. :-)

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "The Dead Man's Answer" and talk about what we can learn from silence.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "How Grass & Trees Become Enlightened" and talk about the difference between you and a tree that's getting in the way of your enlightenment. Studies Referenced in the Podcast: “Plants respond to leaf vibrations caused by insect herbivore chewing” by H. M. Appel , R. B. Cocroft "Study of the Geometry and Folding Pattern of Leaves of Mimosa pudica". Journal of Bionic Engineering. 4(1): 19-23. Patil, H. S.; Vaijapurkar, Siddharth. 2007. "Birch (Betula spp.) leaves adsorb and re-release volatiles specific to neighbouring plants – a mechanism for associational herbivore resistance?" by Sari J. Himanen, James D. Blande, Tero Klemola, Juha Pulkkinen, Juha Heijari,, Jarmo K. Holopainen "Volatile Chemical Cues Guide Host Location and Host Selection by Parasitic Plants" by Justin B. Runyon, Mark C. Mescher, Consuelo M. De Moraes

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Storyteller's Zen" and talk about the true nature of empathy and selflessness.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "No Water, No Moon" and talk about accepting impermanence and change in order to find peace and wisdom.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Black-Nosed Buddha" and talk about the overlapping nature of different systems of virtue, and how to overcome the main driver behind failing to be a good person.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Publishing the Sutras" and talk about how practice is more important than talk in finding wisdom.

In this episode of "10 minute Workday Zen" we read Zen koan "Open Your Own Treasure House" and discuss 13 questions you should be asking yourself to find wisdom in your own life.