# What's your Zen Mantra? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 22, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218 "2003-04-22T02:50:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/21 "2003-04-22T11:25:08Z")
Mine is usually - “It’ll change.” In situations I find uncomfortable - “Oh well, they can’t legally kill me.” Perspective is everything. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/22 "2003-04-22T11:35:59Z")
My basic philosophy in life is: “You have two options in any situation: You can accept it, or you can do something about it. If you can’t accept it – do something about it. If you can’t do anything about it – accept it.” My motto is “That which does not kill us makes us strong.” When I opened the thread, I thought I didn’t have a mantra, but now I realize I do: It’s “Okey-doke.” This is kind of an all-purposed mantra that covers a lot of the territory other people have mentioned. I take a deep breath and say “Okey-doke,” meaning “Okey-doke, I can do this,” or “Okey-doke, we’ll get through this,” or “Okey-doke, this sucks, but it’s how things are,” or “Okey-doke, I’m pissed, but let’s move on.” Dang, turns out that all these years of spiritual journey end up in “Okey-doke.” Who’da thunk? ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/23 "2003-04-22T11:48:50Z")
I never thought of it as a mantra before now, but when I’m dealing with something complicated or unpleasant, I do tend to repeat “I will get through this” over and over to myself. At work I often say it outloud and I’ve heard a couple other people at work saying “I will get through this.” Apparently I am a mantra trendsetter. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/24 "2003-04-22T12:30:30Z")
“This, too, shall pass” when I’m dealing with an unpleasant/painful situation. I just think of the time in the future that whatever I’m facing will be done and over and it helps me to realize and focus on the fact that I will be on the other side looking back at some point from a different place. Of course, while I was in labor with child #2 and child #3, I added “with the assistance of major drugs.” The first time round I was still stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Otanabi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Otanabi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanabi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/25 "2003-04-22T12:35:34Z")
It was a self-defense mechanism. Single Mom. Three sons. Responsibility. Are they really Good Boys? Am I a Good Mom? I kept my sanity by simply repeating to myself, “I don’t want to know, I don’t want to know, I don’t want to know”. It was a mantra and an attitude. It was the result of my philosophy of Motherhood, Benign Neglect. You really don’t want to know what they do when they’re not with you. You don’t want to know what they say behind your back. You’ll find out about it if it’s really bad stuff, but the mischief could drive you crazy! Benign Neglect and it’s Mantra “I don’t want to know” let you assume that all is well, they’re wonderful guys, and you’re doing a good job. Result? They develop a really good sense of guilt. “My Mom thinks I’m a good guy”. They knew what would upset me. So when they were breaking the rules, at least they were learning the rules! Today they’re in their 30’s. Now I hear about the pranks, the days they flicked school, and some Really Bad Stuff they got away with. I can handle it now, sure I can, they really did turn out OK. Back then, the only way to survive the worry was, “I don’t want to know, I don’t want to know, I don’t want to know”. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/26 "2003-04-22T12:59:34Z")
Long one- The power of the storm is in me this day. And I will strike with all the force of moonlight. I am here, now, awake at last. And my victory is inevitable. Short ones- from Kurgan’s theme, from the Highlander soundtrack “I am the one, the only one. I am the god of kingdom come. Gimme the prize! Just gimme the prize!” ``` I will not let Them win. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/27 "2003-04-22T13:01:09Z")
Well, if you don’t care, I don’t care (usually reserved for finding that my kids have left some sort of blatant mess in the middle of the floor) I’m just getting through the days (this is short for one of my basic philosophies: if I can get through a day without falling down, breaking anything, or losing my temper, that’s a good day) ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/28 "2003-04-22T14:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrVisible \* > \*\*Mine: > > “Could be worse. Could be raining.” > \*\* That’s mine, too!! Better living through Jerry Clower (late southern comedian extraordinaire). And “No evil goes unpunished.” It works to make me let go of anger for someone hurting me… and to stop me from hurting someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Zenham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a5b964/32.png) [@Zenham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenham)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/29 "2003-04-22T15:03:20Z")
Wow, so many of mine have been posted here already… “Breathe in, Breathe out…” usually said to coworkers undergoing stress. “This too shall pass.” “s’good to be the king.” And yes, “Could be worse… could be raining”. All Hail Mel Brooks. ---
**Author:** ![Leifsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a698b9/32.png) [@Leifsmama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leifsmama)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/30 "2003-04-22T15:21:30Z")
For too long it was–stupid bitch, you should have known better. I’ve learned that I was creating a horrible life for myself with that and picked up a couple of new ones. I love you, you can do it. This too shall pass. Nothing is lost in the eyes of God (Very good for finding things) ---
**Author:** ![mfield31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@mfield31](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mfield31)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/31 "2003-04-22T15:37:15Z")
Short and sweet - “If it feels good, do it!!”😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/32 "2003-04-22T16:07:06Z")
_om mani padme hung_ But it ain’t Zen. Tibetian is more my flavor. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/33 "2003-04-22T16:16:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Vanilla Toast \* > \*\* > And yes, “Could be worse… could be raining”. All Hail Mel Brooks. \*\* Yes! I’m so gratified by how many people chose this as their mantra. I say it often and nobody I’m with _ever_ gets it. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/34 "2003-04-22T17:04:40Z")
“In all things, there is balance.” Others supplant it in certain situations– When attempting something at the edge of (or beyond) my abilities: “I can do this.” When in a dangerous situation: “Live without fear. Die without regret.” or “I have owed Fate a death since the day I was born. Let her collect if she can.” ---
**Author:** ![Ego\_Mk2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Ego\_Mk2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ego_Mk2)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/35 "2003-04-22T17:14:02Z")
For some reason Homer Simpson droning “Must find man…” I’m a man, but I’m not gay. It’s very strange. Mostly I use it if I absolutely have to remember to do something. Need something critical at the store? It goes into the “must find man” bin in my brain. This too is very strange… ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/36 "2003-04-22T18:21:40Z")
Most of the ones that I use are here already. If it’s not in your power to fix it, then quit worrying about it; If it is in your power then get up off your ass and do something about it. All things in moderation. Somebody here once told me to “Move my brain” when it was getting stale. It really does help. The next two aren’t really mantras, but guidelines I have for myself: Admit to your own faults and misgivings and then you won’t have to worry about anybody finding out about them. (i.e. “I did it, my mistake, will do better next time.”) If you are not learning or do not have a goal, you will lose sight of where you are going. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/37 "2003-04-22T18:27:50Z")
Keep a tight asshole. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/38 "2003-04-22T18:37:53Z")
While I’m in the middle of something stressful/upsetting/difficult, I say to myself, “You’re okay…you’re okay…” over and over again. After the problem is over, I like to remind myself: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” It makes me feel like the hard-ass I wish I was. ---
**Author:** ![WhiteyFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@WhiteyFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhiteyFoo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/39 "2003-04-22T18:42:32Z")
Kyo wa taihen atsui da sore de mina wa shin da. Repeating this to myself helps me regain focus and ignore non-necessary external stimuli. (“It is very hot outside, therefore everyone must die.” Well, more or less) ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218/40 "2003-04-22T18:43:20Z")
\*One for the ROOOO-oooo-oooooad . . . \* Hmph. Thanks, **Scylla**. THAT one’ll be with me all day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-zen-mantra/170218.md?page=3)