It is a great pity we are surrounded with so many things that distract and dissipate our attention. In the face of avarice which appears boundless, Zen recommends “plain living and high thinking.” To put ourselves in samadhi, it urges with Thoreau that we simplify our lives. While eating, we should maintain eating-samadhi, by not doing something else, such as watching television at the same time. Reading a newspaper will dispell shitting-samadhi. Eating and shitting are the sacred ceremonies of reception and repayment, and thanksgiving to Nature; don’t they deserve our single-minded respect? Become food! Turn into shit!

Soiku Shigematsu in A Zen Harvest

Sometimes forgetting about a cup of hot tea until it’s completely cooled off is a good thing.