The Enso, the Japanese word for circle, is a calligraphic symbol associated with Zen Buddhist painting. The Enso is painted in ink on rice paper in one movement and there are no modifications to it once the circle is complete. The end result is the expression of a perfect moment when the mind is free to simply let the body and spirit create. For some artists, painting the Enso daily is a spiritual practice.

This is Zen at work, or rather, not at work. We are in a Zen state of mind more often than we know. We've all had the experience of trying to rememebr something important and focusing so hard yet getting nowhere. The answer always comes when we are relaxed, thinking of something else or drifting off to sleep - in all cases we are seemingly doing nothing and yet our subconscious minds are extremely active.

I'd call this the phenomena of braincalming, the opposite of brainstorming.

The world is full of people who constantly strive for perfection, a goal linked to ambition and success yet just as easily to unhappiness and creative blocks. I've heard from many people that if they can't do something to perfection, they'd rather not do it at all.

For them, painting the Enso itself might be totally stressful. Something at which they have only one chance to get right. Something they think they have to master. Something over which they have to give up all control. Something that just is, with no right or wrong way to go. 

Enso is an artform, but it's more than ink and paper. This is life. Taking a chance and making a mistake (or two, or three) is the only way we learn and grow. We learn by doing. Certainly all risks that take us from our comfort zone are scary, but the rewards are too great not to try.

And if you follow the Zen Buddhist artist's way, you will soon be considering all your mistakes to be works of art.

Now there's a freeing thought!