"The principle 'Be there but out of the way,' a hallmark of Zen monasteries, is instilled in its students by means of a daily schedule. When you arrive, you are told what to do. Then you just show up, day after day, putting one foot in front of the other.

"At least your body does. Your mind may run an ongoing commentary, asking questions, bebopping around, liking it, hating it, to the point of exhaustion."