The Schedule :
4:00am - wake/shower/walk to zendo
4:50am - zazen at zendo - Mon-Fri
7:00am - exercise/running/walking
9:30am - break/breakfast (if hungry)
10:00 work - writing/drawing/guitar/study
1:00pm - main meal of day
2:00pm - rest/nap
3:00pm - work - writing/drawing/guitar/study
6:00pm - break/light meal if hungry/check correspondence
7:00pm - zazen in studio
9:00pm - read
9:30pm - lights out/sleep
During my life I have followed a few paths -
- Schooling/university - studied history and philosophy at the university, taught myself how to write and read.
- Athletics - began to run at age 12, still going strong. Distances of 5k-50 miles.
- Love - learned about passionate love from age 18-21.
- Meditation - taught myself how to meditate. Experienced kundalini after 1 year of practice. Was unaware what kundalini was at the time. Consider this to be the most blessed moment of my life.
- Art - dedicated my life to art. Vowed to practice it for 10 years. After 10 years decided to continue, renewing the vow once a year. Ended the vow at the end of 18th year.
- Freedom - after 18 years of art, decided to drift in life with no direction. Traveled, continued to read, write, make pictures.
- Spirituality - beginning now. This will likely be the final path of my life's journey. All of the above were preparations for this difficult endeavor. Difficult because I live in a culture which puts little emphasis upon it. However, I learned through my vow of art how to remain focused and self motivated, living a secret double life. Will reveal to people who know me nothing of my new path.
The schedule is the starting point of my path. I believe I need to practice discipline, the way is in the practice, and the practice is the schedule.
There is no teacher or book who can lead me on this path. Each person has their unique way, I must search for it, keeping my senses alert and aware. Clarity of mind, a peaceful spirit, and a presence intuitive and authentic.
The Vow.