7 Japanese Concepts That Will Help You Clear Your Mind and Stress Less

Ancient principles for modern life that will help you slow down, think clearly, and live with more peace.

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“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” — Shunryu Suzuki

There’s an old Zen story about an American professor who visited a Zen master to study Zen.

The master pours tea into the professor’s cup, even after it’s full.

Tea spills over the sides and flows everywhere.

The professor says, “It’s full! No more can fit!”

The master replies, “Exactly.

Your mind is like this cup.

How can I teach you Zen, if you don’t first empty your cup?”

In a world that never stops buzzing, our minds are constantly overloaded with information, pressure, and nonstop mental chatter.

But real clarity doesn’t come from more input, it comes from better thinking.