always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, woodWhen we’re overwhelmed with problems, it’s time to take a rest and let our senses take over. It’s time to get back in touch with the real world we live in, and reconnect once again to our fascinating and wondrous environment.

To achieve a Zen moment, we rely on sensory stimulation in order to create a feeling of detachment. Use only ONE of your senses at a time. Never allow the other four to interfere with your deep connection.

• TOUCH Run your hand over a patch of grass. It’s springy. Grass always maintains a healthy response by moving back into its original state. And though an individual blade can easily be broken; collectively, grass is amazingly strong.

Glass is pleasant to the touch. Windows are usually cool, even on a warm day. The smoothness of a vase, a drinking glass, or a handful of marbles is always an enjoyable sensation. Move your fingers through a string of glass beads, or hold a jar in your hand without noticing the contents, only the container.

Let water flow into the cupped palm of your right hand, and pour it into the cupped palm of your left hand. Notice how water can’t be manipulated. When most of the water has escaped, rub your hands together and feel that last bit of moisture.

As your fingers tap upon the small plastic squares of a keyboard, pay attention to how the pressure point is absolutely perfect.

Your environment is full of texture; explore it; touch it.

• SOUND Listen to the sound of the air. It can carry human chatter, swooshing traffic, or echoes from concrete. Social settings always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, wood

ur to interfere with your deep connection.

• TOUCH Run your hand over a patch of grass. It’s springy. Grass always maintains a healthy response by moving back into its original state. And though an individual blade can easily be broken; collectively, grass is amazingly strong.

Glass is pleasant to the touch. Windows are usually cool, even on a warm day. The smoothness of a vase, a drinking glass, or a handful of marbles is always an enjoyable sensation. Move your fingers through a string of glass beads, or hold a jar in your hand without noticing the contents, only the container.

Let water flow into the cupped palm of your right hand, and pour it into the cupped palm of your left hand. Notice how water can’t be manipulated. When most of the water has escaped, rub your hands together and feel that last bit of moisture.

As your fingers tap upon the small plastic squares of a keyboard, pay attention to how the pressure point is absolutely perfect.

Your environment is full of texture; explore it; touch it.

• SOUND Listen to the sound of the air. It can carry human chatter, swooshing traffic, or echoes from concrete. Social settings always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, wood

e, a drinking glass, or a handful of marbles is always an enjoyable sensation. Move your fingers through a string of glass beads, or hold a jar in your hand without noticing the contents, only the container.

Let water flow into the cupped palm of your right hand, and pour it into the cupped palm of your left hand. Notice how water can’t be manipulated. When most of the water has escaped, rub your hands together and feel that last bit of moisture.

As your fingers tap upon the small plastic squares of a keyboard, pay attention to how the pressure point is absolutely perfect.

Your environment is full of texture; explore it; touch it.

• SOUND Listen to the sound of the air. It can carry human chatter, swooshing traffic, or echoes from concrete. Social settings always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, wood

rub your hands together and feel that last bit of moisture.

As your fingers tap upon the small plastic squares of a keyboard, pay attention to how the pressure point is absolutely perfect.

Your environment is full of texture; explore it; touch it.

• SOUND Listen to the sound of the air. It can carry human chatter, swooshing traffic, or echoes from concrete. Social settings always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, wood

always contain babble; human voices; from fast, high- pitched whines, to deep, slow, syrupy tones. The range and inflection of human sound is a playground for the ear. Listen. Wind moving through plant life; chirping birds, rain, the ocean, a stream, your water faucet, the sound of the kitchen cupboards, the hum of a refrigerator, your shoes over different textures; waxed floors, cement, wood, gravelly walkways; the sound of sound. Listen.

• SIGHT Look at a seashell-pink sunrise or blazing-orange sunset; the many shades of human hair and the color of clothing; look at NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day” through your computer. Gaze into the night sky; gaze into human eyes; look at the varied colors of houses; animals, and plants. Vibrant or subtle, you live in a world full of astounding things to see; Look.

• TASTE Pick that perfect grape off the vine; the one that is still warm from the sun, and delight in it; eat s-l-o-w-l-y. Be conscious of all your food; be aware of your mouth; how it moves; crushing, mashing, tasting. Eat something as if it is your last meal. Savor.

• SMELL Breathe in the scent of fresh, laundered cotton; smell all fruits and vegetables; apples, oranges, melons, onions, bananas; everything in the produce department. Notice the scent of plants, even the ones without flowers. Break open the leaf of any herb; break open anything that has a shell; nuts, seeds, or shellfish. Bury your face in a sachet pillow, a bouquet, or in the arm of someone you love. Smell the world and breathe deeply.

Although words can never express a Zen moment, at least this will you give you some ideas for reaching a more blissful state. After all, even if that rope you’re hanging from should break, your senses are always there to catch you. It’s a sweet reminder of where you are.