Recently, in an interview, someone asked me about my morning routine. I think they assumed that to have a beautiful life, success, or a sense of freedom, you need a set routine every morning to help achieve those results.
For me, it's interesting because I really have two types of days, two distinct routines. If I wake up in "Spirit Mind," the morning is beautiful. I feel at peace. I usually look over, notice my wife, Hisami, sleeping, our two little dogs on the bed, light streaming through the window, and this beautiful glow filling the room. I feel calm and ease into my day. I’ll have a glass of water, maybe take a few vitamins. I’ll make a little something for myself, something for the dogs, clean up their area, go for a walk, shower, brush my teeth—all the usual things, but in a relaxed and peaceful space.
That’s one morning routine. But, to be honest, I have a completely different routine when I wake up in "Material Mind." This one is just as common, if not more. In this scenario, I’ll wake up at 4:30 in the morning, immediately thinking about all the things I haven’t finished or tasks that need my attention, all the projects waiting for me, or things I want to accomplish. I’m immediately in a mindset focused on productivity.
On these days, I often jump right up and think, "I’ll just handle this email quickly." My sleep has brought some clarity, so I get on the computer. It's early, but the sun is already up since this is Japan. I start responding to emails, and before I know it, it’s nearly 10:00 a.m., my reminder for a meeting goes off. I haven’t showered, eaten, or done anything for myself or the dogs. They haven’t been fed, their area hasn’t been cleaned, and I’ve been lost in my computer for five hours, working non-stop.
Usually, I get a lot done on these days, but it’s certainly not enjoyable. If the meeting goes until noon or later, I often find myself a bit grumpy. By lunchtime, I’m burned out. Both of these routines happen regularly for me, and that’s okay. It’s just interesting to compare the two. When I wake up in Spirit Mind, my day flows differently than when I wake up in Material Mind.
I’m learning to blend these two states. On days when I wake up with my Material Mind active and a long list of things to do, I take a few breaths, drink a glass of water, and care for the dogs before diving into work. Often, after just five or ten minutes of this routine, I start feeling that desire to have a peaceful morning again—to spend an hour or two doing what seems like “nothing,” but is actually all the important things: being present in the moment and enjoying the morning. That’s not “nothing”—that’s the really valuable stuff. When I forget to do it, I quickly burn out.
By bringing Material Mind into the peaceful space of Spirit Mind, I notice that my afternoons become super productive. I start the day relaxed, and the stress or overwhelm I felt when I woke up eases during that hour spent grounding myself. Then I’m able to tackle my list in the afternoon in a balanced way that feels good. At the end of these days, I feel accomplished, positive, and don’t experience that burnout feeling from diving straight into Material Mind.
I encourage you to try this. When you wake up and your Material Mind is active, pause for a moment to reconnect with Spirit Mind and see how it changes your day.
One last note: during the time you take to return to Spirit Mind, it’s helpful to listen to your Material Mind with love. I’m not trying to suppress those urges but rather allowing them to play out while observing them with compassion. This approach helps me bring Material Mind into the loving space of Spirit Mind.
