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Mind Like Water


As I just posted about my GTD implementation, I started thinking about what appeals to me most about GTD. Of course, there is its total organization and complete capture of everything in your life. There is the clean desk and inbox acheived by this system. I love all that.

But what really appeals to me is the idea of attaining a “Mind Like Water” state. I have to admit, I haven’t completely achieved this yet, as many GTDers have not. But GTD does bring me much closer to this ideal, and as I get better at the GTD habits, and trust my system more, I get closer each day.

It reminds me of a quote from Bruce Lee:

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.

I think the appeal is the calmness and peace that you are trying to achieve. Have everything in its place, and empty your mind of busy-ness and junk. Then your are ready for anything that comes your way. Sometimes when I don’t feel this way, I look at others around me, and realize that I have come a long way towards Mind Like Water.

It will be an ongoing quest. Wish me luck.

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Brilliant comments (13)

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Subbu Says:

March 20th, 2007, 2:50 am

Hi,

Off late I am regular visitor to your site. Pretty nice things in here..
I have been referring this site to my family and friends.

Following link seem to have some alignment issues. Once the link is opened, you get a blank page in the main frame. Text is pushed down, need to scroll down.. May be you have already noticed..

http://zenhabits.net/2007/01/mind-like-water/

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zenhabits Says:

March 20th, 2007, 3:38 am

Thanks for the feedback, Subbu. I especially appreciate your referrals to family and friends — that’s extremely nice of you. I’ll see what I can do about the text alignment.

leo

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Will Says:

December 29th, 2007, 10:31 am

Leo, if I remember correct, you are not really a Zen practitioner but use Zen principles in you work and writing. Any ways, I came across an American Zen Master who used David Allen’s GTD and the “mind like water” principle in a teshio (talk). It is on MP3 and is only 38mins and very listen-able. http://www.windhorsezen.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=231836

I really enjoy your writing and aspects of it have enriched my experience of life.
Thank you

Will

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Donald Stone Says:

January 27th, 2009, 4:00 am

first time on your site, i will be back
Regards Don

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Glyn Morris Says:

February 14th, 2009, 11:38 am

We all have a system within our brain that is always filling our conscious mind with surplus ‘DVDs’. This is called the reticular activating system and it draws what it believes to be the most relevant memories or DVDs from the sub-conscious mind in an effort to prepare us for what we face. Practice playing your most favourite DVDs and we slowly re-programme the reticular activiating system to look for less troubling thoughts as we teach it that the world is not such a dangerous place.

Glyn Morris

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Cheap term paper Says:

March 19th, 2009, 8:42 am

GTD Implementation is a good idea I must confess.

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Dissertation Says:

March 19th, 2009, 9:16 am

I find your post very interesting!

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LodsGoads Says:

March 31st, 2009, 22:45 pm

Мдя, ну ваще нихило так, хотя орфография кое где хромает

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Ride on mowers Says:

May 17th, 2009, 17:17 pm

So When I look at things like this, If I have mind like water, Am I going to be successful?

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Aldohas Says:

May 23rd, 2009, 15:01 pm

water is the source of life,
very peaceful
I think the world will be more beautiful if everyone think like the water

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free divorce papers Says:

June 7th, 2009, 7:44 am

I really enjoy reading your articles. They are very informative and helpful. Continue blogging!

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Mystic Madness Says:

June 12th, 2009, 6:28 am

Think I got the crux of your article. Generally the full mind becomes too much influenced and hence it is important to empty it at times and let it flow on its own.Generally when this is difficult in natural state you can practice it with music too.

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oyUn Says:

June 23rd, 2009, 10:30 am

first time on your site, i will be back
Regards Don.

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