The art of doing nothing (or mindfulness?)

aka, the month of July

The most strenuous work-related activity I’ll do during the month of July is read a teacher-oriented book (in addition to multiple novels). How fitting that my pick this month was The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom by Dan Tricarico.

Much of Tricarico’s book provides examples and arguments for the practice of mindfulness.

Although July is the month I am out of my normal routines, my favorite chapter actually was on rituals. As the summer winds down, I begin to feel frantic – did I fit in all the fun and relaxation I was hoping for?! (No, never, but also, yes, I’m ready to feel productive with my school routines again.) So the idea of implementing Zen rituals appeals to me, to make the most of the end of summer, and to take some Zen into my school year as I start back.

Tricarico offers the following suggestions for weekend restful rituals:

• Take a long hike.
• Have brunch at a favorite restaurant.
• Call your parents.
• Enjoy an afternoon gardening.
• Attend church.
• Get together with friends.
• Enjoy breakfast at a local diner – either alone or with friends.
• My addition: Go to a lake and spend time just sitting in the sun with a book.

This sounds like it should become my end-of-summer to-do list. I already have the first week of August filling up with work-related planning meetings. As I look at my calendar, I should schedule the above list so that I can return to work feeling refreshed and knowing I made the most of the time I had.

Zen doesn’t have to be relegated to only the summer months when I’m long on time, however. According to Tricarico’s book, I can bring moments of peace into my work year.

He suggests the following classroom rituals for teachers to schedule simple enjoyments into their busy work weeks as well:

• Breathe or meditate before school begins.
• Take a walk around the campus.
• Start each class period with silent reading.
• Start each class period with quiet time [I would add music].
• Have lunch with a colleague.
• Read a bit during free time.
• Write or journal.
• Reflect or plan.
• Institute a “Genius Hour” or 20% time, during which you focus on a project you’re passionate about [Wait, Genius Hour doesn’t have to be just for the students? I never thought of adding my own Genius Hour to my work week – How inspiring at this stage in my career to think about spending a prep period on my own passion project, like writing.]

Tricarico rounds out his chapter on Mindfulness reminding us “Rituals slow down our day and make us present and conscious for at least a small part of each day, every day. And if you choose to be present while your personal ceremonies unfold, even the most ordinary of days will have depth and meaning” (97).