How to Practice Zen Driving
Take your time., Sync in with the flow of traffic., Turn off the radio, turn on your favorite music., Breathe deeply., Loosen up., Instead of squandering your consciousness on greater speed, observe your surroundings., Be thankful., Respond to road...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Take your time.
Do not be in a rush.
Be Laid Back.
If you need to be somewhere on time, leave early so you have more than enough time to get there.
Even if you're running late, don't worry about it.
There's really not much you can do about it now, because the traffic, the stop lights, the laws of the road are still there.
So relax.
Drive as if you have all the time in the world.
If you are late, at least you will have had a lovely ride. -
Step 2: Sync in with the flow of traffic.
Traffic moves like a school of fish.
The more you try to get ahead and "beat others," the more obvious you are to the cops (who act like the sharks) and the more likely to stir up other drivers' territorial behaviors
- danger! Being in sync with the flow doesn't mean you have to be defensive
- you can pass and move as needed, controlling your space with awareness and harmony.
One thing is for sure, when you sync up, you seem to get there quicker, feel at ease, enjoy your music, and you never get a ticket.
Enjoy the journey as much as you do the destination and "be like water, my friend."
Why do you listen to talk shows? Probably because it helps distract you from what you're doing, and makes the drive more tolerable.
But what's so terrible about what you're doing, that you have to pay attention to something else?Instead, try listening to the sounds of your car.
The engine, the way the tires sound on the road. (This might even make you better at detecting problems with your car before they become expensive to fix.) Listen to your breathing, your heartbeat.
This is an excellent time to learn to enjoy silence, since in our noisy world it can be hard to find. , Feel your belly rise and fall (against the seat belt, of course) with every breath.
Count each inhalation and each exhalation, until you get to ten.
Start back at one again.
This is at the core of Zazen (Zen meditation) and will help keep you calm. , Look at your hands on the steering wheel.
Are you clenching them? Let go of excess tension.
You only need just enough grip to control the wheel, no more, no less.
Then direct your attention to your stomach.
Is it tense? Soften your belly, then soften your shoulders and consciously let go of tension anywhere else in your body. , You will simultaneously be more aware of the beauty around you and more alert to hazards than you would be if you were pushing for speed and/or lost in thought.
Pay attention to the cars around you.
How are they driving? Is the person in front of you slowing down a little? Is the person behind you in a rush? Does the person on your left seem confused, or lost? , Have you noticed, today, that you're in this incredible machine that was specifically designed to make your trip easy? All you have to do is turn a key, hold a wheel, and press your foot.
Have you noticed that, right now, your car is actually working, not breaking down? Do you appreciate that not everyone has a car to drive, or do you take your car for granted, as if it's a right? Are you glad that you can drive on paved, safe roads? More importantly, are you grateful that at this moment, you're alive, and healthy enough to drive? , They're in a rush.
They're frantic.
You've been there.
You know what it's like.
You know it feels like the end of the world, even though it's not.
You can either increase their suffering, or relieve it.
And the best way to relieve it is to get out of their way, as safely and as soon as possible.
Forgive them.
And don't let them infect you with their negativity; why let a stranger ruin your ride? If someone is tailgating you, move out of the left lane if you're going slower than the traffic in front, then ignore them.
Sometimes they are truly in a hurry, and they have nothing against you.
Sometimes they sincerely believe that you deserve their wrath.
If you respond to them, they will escalate their aggression and you will be in the middle of a stressful conflict.
Just ignore them; imagine that your mirrors are set so that you cannot see them at all.
They can always go around you.
If a tailgater persists, lowering your speed three miles below the speed limit is usually enough to send them on their stressful way in a hurry. , Smile and even wave at other drivers.
Let people merge in front of you.
If someone is parking, stop and give them room.
In general, think of what others could do to make your drive more pleasant, and do those things for them! , It is an excellent opportunity to practice Zen driving as it is not only gentler on your car, the environment, and your wallet, but it also requires great awareness and patience. -
Step 3: Turn off the radio
-
Step 4: turn on your favorite music.
-
Step 5: Breathe deeply.
-
Step 6: Loosen up.
-
Step 7: Instead of squandering your consciousness on greater speed
-
Step 8: observe your surroundings.
-
Step 9: Be thankful.
-
Step 10: Respond to road rage with compassion.
-
Step 11: Practice kindness.
-
Step 12: Try hypermiling.
Detailed Guide
Do not be in a rush.
Be Laid Back.
If you need to be somewhere on time, leave early so you have more than enough time to get there.
Even if you're running late, don't worry about it.
There's really not much you can do about it now, because the traffic, the stop lights, the laws of the road are still there.
So relax.
Drive as if you have all the time in the world.
If you are late, at least you will have had a lovely ride.
Traffic moves like a school of fish.
The more you try to get ahead and "beat others," the more obvious you are to the cops (who act like the sharks) and the more likely to stir up other drivers' territorial behaviors
- danger! Being in sync with the flow doesn't mean you have to be defensive
- you can pass and move as needed, controlling your space with awareness and harmony.
One thing is for sure, when you sync up, you seem to get there quicker, feel at ease, enjoy your music, and you never get a ticket.
Enjoy the journey as much as you do the destination and "be like water, my friend."
Why do you listen to talk shows? Probably because it helps distract you from what you're doing, and makes the drive more tolerable.
But what's so terrible about what you're doing, that you have to pay attention to something else?Instead, try listening to the sounds of your car.
The engine, the way the tires sound on the road. (This might even make you better at detecting problems with your car before they become expensive to fix.) Listen to your breathing, your heartbeat.
This is an excellent time to learn to enjoy silence, since in our noisy world it can be hard to find. , Feel your belly rise and fall (against the seat belt, of course) with every breath.
Count each inhalation and each exhalation, until you get to ten.
Start back at one again.
This is at the core of Zazen (Zen meditation) and will help keep you calm. , Look at your hands on the steering wheel.
Are you clenching them? Let go of excess tension.
You only need just enough grip to control the wheel, no more, no less.
Then direct your attention to your stomach.
Is it tense? Soften your belly, then soften your shoulders and consciously let go of tension anywhere else in your body. , You will simultaneously be more aware of the beauty around you and more alert to hazards than you would be if you were pushing for speed and/or lost in thought.
Pay attention to the cars around you.
How are they driving? Is the person in front of you slowing down a little? Is the person behind you in a rush? Does the person on your left seem confused, or lost? , Have you noticed, today, that you're in this incredible machine that was specifically designed to make your trip easy? All you have to do is turn a key, hold a wheel, and press your foot.
Have you noticed that, right now, your car is actually working, not breaking down? Do you appreciate that not everyone has a car to drive, or do you take your car for granted, as if it's a right? Are you glad that you can drive on paved, safe roads? More importantly, are you grateful that at this moment, you're alive, and healthy enough to drive? , They're in a rush.
They're frantic.
You've been there.
You know what it's like.
You know it feels like the end of the world, even though it's not.
You can either increase their suffering, or relieve it.
And the best way to relieve it is to get out of their way, as safely and as soon as possible.
Forgive them.
And don't let them infect you with their negativity; why let a stranger ruin your ride? If someone is tailgating you, move out of the left lane if you're going slower than the traffic in front, then ignore them.
Sometimes they are truly in a hurry, and they have nothing against you.
Sometimes they sincerely believe that you deserve their wrath.
If you respond to them, they will escalate their aggression and you will be in the middle of a stressful conflict.
Just ignore them; imagine that your mirrors are set so that you cannot see them at all.
They can always go around you.
If a tailgater persists, lowering your speed three miles below the speed limit is usually enough to send them on their stressful way in a hurry. , Smile and even wave at other drivers.
Let people merge in front of you.
If someone is parking, stop and give them room.
In general, think of what others could do to make your drive more pleasant, and do those things for them! , It is an excellent opportunity to practice Zen driving as it is not only gentler on your car, the environment, and your wallet, but it also requires great awareness and patience.
About the Author
Alice Fox
Brings years of experience writing about hobbies and related subjects.
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