Are you trying to wean yourself off your coffee addiction, but can’t find a suitable substitute for that morning rush? Sumi Loundon has discovered that the repeated Buddhist bowing ritual brings more clarity of mind than a cup of anything could.

She gets this charge from doing only 108 bows per morn. Upping that ante can lead to even greater enlightenment:

There is something remarkably purifying about 3,000 bows, I will admit. There’s a well-known monk in Korea who will only answer questions after the inquirer has done 3,000 bows. Even Catholic priests and other Christians are required to do it. Not surprisingly, he gets few questions. Yet often that’s not because people give up, but because they find the answer to their question while bowing.

All this sounds great in theory. However, with my back currently aching enough to make just walking a meditation in pain, I think I’ll have to stick to my morning tea, for now.