Part five: Just give zen a chance

We have explored some of the inner-workings of Buddhism and how the practice traditionally works. The point of this series was to present the facts and allow for students to pick and choose things that they feel they may be able to implement into their own lives to aid in the everyday helter-skelter.

Whether you adopt one practice or more-or even none - I hope readers at least had an "ah-ha" moment where they stepped back and took inventory of their own life.

It starts with wanting to change one thing. You find one aspect of your life that you wish you could improve and then that interest in yourself abounds. This is hopefully true for more than just a faith system. In college, we should be interested

in learning new things and implementing them into our own lives. This is simply a direct form of improvement because there is a "key" if you will. You do not have to scrounge around to figure out ways to improve on your own, instead you are given directives.

Focusing on yourself, loved ones and matters of direct importance will help center yourself back into your own life and block out distractions and stressors. Whether you formally meditate or not, taking time out of your day to just evacuate and breathe is vital to your sanity.

Clear the useless appointments from your schedule. Get rid of clutter and unneeded objects in your space. End your own suffering. Being pro-active in your life should include taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally.

It is easy to go around with hatred and criticism in your heart. But where does that really get you in the end?

Negativity wears a person down, and soon you will find that you are not content with any aspect of your life and your comrades are few and far between.

Think about it-who would you rather be around, someone who is sensible enough to see the faults with things or someone who is constantly down on the world? There comes a point where cynicism is no longer a good quality.

If you can make yourself happy, you will never have a reason for discontent. Once you are pleased with your attitude, accomplishments and surroundings, you will be on your way to an enjoyable life.

You only get one shot in this particular lifetime. Why not try to make something of it? Life is suffering. This is a fact. Anyone who disagrees is naive-or they're selling something.

While Buddhism is not a solve-all, it can be a way to relieve your mind without the effects of consumed substances.

After a meditation session, you may have lost a little time, but at least it was free and legal. Not to mention it is risk free.

Sit back and unwind, FGCU. Not everything is a life-or-death matter. Stop taking your material goods so seriously and consciously remind yourself that you are not the only person in the world.

If you're frustrated with what life keeps throwing at you, try living zen and see what karma has to offer.