opposed to goal attainment. When you live in the present, you think about the small steps you can take to achieving your goals instead of focusing on the fact that you are so far from where you want to be. When you don’t live in the present, it is easy to start feeling demotivated when you look at your current situation and start thinking about what you don’t have. It makes the journey ahead seem so much longer. The question then becomes: how can you train yourself to start thinking like a Zen Buddha? How To MASTER SELF-DISCIPLINE THE SHAOLIN WAY Now that you have a better understanding of the main principles of Zen, it’s time to look at the lifestyles and habits of some of the most disciplined people on the planet—Buddhist monks—the Shaolin. By analyzing the monks’ everyday beliefs and routines, you will begin to understand how applying the principles outlined above can set the foundation for a life of self-discipline. So, who exactly are these people who have mastered self-discipline in such a profound way? One of the most well-known Zen Buddhist temples in the world is the Shaolin Monastery in China. History states that it was founded around 1500 years ago when a Buddhist teacher called Bugghabhadra arrived in China from India. He decided that Buddhist teachings should be passed down from master to student. Prior to this, Buddhist monks had typically relied on written interpretations and scriptures. The Chinese Emperor was very impressed with Bugghabhadra’s idea, and as a result, provided him with the finances to build the temple. Not only were the monks trained in spiritual matters, but they were also trained in martial arts, and to this day are known for their superior fighting skills. They are taught a series of special moves including the “Iron Head” technique. Monks who have perfected this move are capable of breaking a slab of concrete with their forehead. The monks have become such experts that they often travel around the world to showcase their skills to large audiences. Despite several demolitions and attacks throughout history, monks still reside in the temple. The monks start their day at 5 am, and it ends at 11 pm, and during this time, they participate in three main activities. Essential temple activities such as preparing food and cleaning, kung fu, and the study of Buddhism. All monks spend several hours throughout the day practicing grueling exercises, as well as undergoing intense spiritual and mental training. They are restricted from having outside interests and they own very few material possessions. When a monk joins the temple, they must shave their head to pledge allegiance to Buddha