Blogging is a tapestry of thoughts, experiences, dreams, hits and misses. It is both therapeutic and lonely at the same time. In the world of glamourous social media creators, it is an archaic yet reliable friend.

My tryst with blogging was by chance, never a conscious choice. It emerged as an expression, an exploration of an alternate profession, which never took off. Eventually, as the truth sunk in, the blog became a journal, my creative outlet, a shift of my consciousness and my sanctuary. I really don’t remember exactly when it became my Zen, my expression of love rather than profit.

The word Zen means meditation in Japanese, quietude in Chinese chán and dhyāna in Sanskrit. It is long known as a philosophy, a path leading to inner transformation through self-reflection, mindfulness and a deep connection with the present moment. For the last 12 years, the blog has been my transformative friend. Can I live without it? Maybe no, unless I stop writing, reading, taking photographs or making videos—it is an extension of my creativity, my swadisthana chakra!

Roots of Zen

The philosophy of Zen finds its roots in the Mahayana school of Buddhism, originating in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907). These three centuries were the golden period in China. During the Tang dynasty arts, music, painting, pottery, poetry, sculpture and Buddhism flourished.

Needless to say, Zen became a mainstay, with its core in Zazen (sitting) meditation, Non-duality (interconnectedness of all things), Satori (awakening), Balance and Simplicity (minimalism and essentials).

Traditionally, Zen can be achieved through the practices of Koans (riddles/paradoxical statements), Mindfulness and Integration of everyday activities such as gardening or calligraphy.

Zen travelled from China to Japan in the 12^th century and to the West in the 20^th century.

My Zen Practices

It’s not that I studied Zen formally, I simply worked towards my inner transformation as life threw lemons and I had to make a lemonade! Over time, as my inner shadows began to melt, I realised that the blog had become my Zen space. It led me towards clarity, purpose, joy and success. Here’s what I have gauged from this transformation:

1. Embracing Simplicity in Content Creation: Similar to a Zen Garden, meticulously curated with essential elements, the blog focusses on delivering clear, concise, and valuable content. 

After multiple mistakes, I realised that I needed to write about things that I wanted to, felt confident about, had some knowledge or information on. My article had to ignite my passion and curiosity before it reached anyone else.
 
2. Cultivating Consistency and Discipline: Like Zazen meditation, focus on breath, stillness, dedication and daily commitment, maintaining a regular posting schedule is crucial for building a loyal readership and establishing authority.  

I stopped worrying about like, comments, shares, follows. Instead, I dedicated myself to good language, well-crafted sentences, brainstorming relevant ideas and building posts around them.

While ideating or writing, I avoid checking social media and news feed pings. I focus on my work at hand, remain mindful to my post and my thoughts.

3. Clearing the Clutter: I clean my work space, get myself a cup of coffee or tea, watch the swaying trees from my balcony and relax before beginning to write. I sometimes play soft music, take a break when exhausted and watch a nice series or movies. At times, picking up a book also helps, any book that is light and fast read.

When totally drained out, I watch action or thriller movies to revive my energetic spirit. When sad, I watch mushy romances to ignite soft feelings that turn my article into a lyrical piece.

4. The Art of Authenticity and Connection: Leaving behind the digital noise, the old patterns, and embracing my unique voice, experiences, and perspectives, allows me to forge genuine connections.

By sharing true stories, vulnerabilities, and triumphs, the blog resonates with an audience in search of things that add some value to their lives.

Sometimes, I let the piece sit for a day, then edit ruthlessly, eliminate unnecessary words, and let my idea breathe and find its space before hitting the publish button.

5. Embracing Imperfection and Growth: There’s no perfect world, it’s taken me decades to realise this. By embracing my shortcomings and encouraging communication, I actively seek opportunities for growth and learning. Accepting feedback, experimenting with new ideas, and pushing past comfort zones, can unlock new potential.

I embraced the power of blog hops, forums and meaningful conversations. I learn from other’s experiences, albeit more as an observer than a participant.

6. Finding My Space in Solitude: What is your frame of mind when driving during office hours or driving early in the morning? The chaos of office hours kills the brain’s ability to think and process; it tightens nerves and enrages us.

Embracing quiet hours, solitude, chewing over your thoughts, helps to align information in a better way.

7. Finding Peace in the Blogging Chaos: In a world driven by metrics, algorithms, and trends, it’s easy to lose sight of why I started blogging in the first place.

On really bad days, I take a backseat and remind myself why I write and keep the blog running. I celebrate my wins, share them with the tribe.

Anchoring myself to my strengths, staying true to my values and cultivating gratitude, I thank myself for having the opportunity to create this tranquil Zen space.  

The Zen of blogging is not a set of rigid rules or a simple philosophy; it’s my way of fulfilling my purpose, and honing my craft. It helps me cultivate a mindful and joyful approach to writing. My blog is a window to my world, a reflection through which Zen shines.

Do you feel the same about your craft and your blog?  

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z  
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