In Zen philosophy, non-duality emphasizes the dissolution of boundaries. You are not separate from the task you’re doing; you are the task. Applied to language learning, this means letting go of the struggle and resistance that often arise when we view learning as something external to conquer. Instead of thinking, “I need to learn this grammatical rule,” shift your mindset to, “The exploring of how this rule expresses ideas is entering this very moment in time.” Instead of seeing a vocabulary list as a hurdle, see it as the vocabulary becoming immersed with your very being.

Non-duality teaches us to embrace the process fully, without judgment or the pressure of results. When you sit down to study, there is no "you" trying to learn the language; there is only learning happening. This mindset helps dissolve resistance and makes the process more intuitive.


111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 55 - How to enter the Zone or Flow State through Non-Duality 

In Zen, the act of sitting down and doing nothing isn’t about idleness. It’s about allowing the mind to rest and reset. When you stop forcing progress, you invite understanding to emerge naturally. This stillness isn’t passive—it’s active receptivity.

In language learning, this means stepping back from constant effort to allow the language to settle into your subconscious. Play a podcast in your target language without trying to grasp every word. Let the rhythm of the language flow through you. Over time, your brain will pick up patterns and nuances effortlessly.

Research supports this approach: studies on the brain’s default mode network (DMN) show that periods of quiet reflection are crucial for consolidating memories and integrating information. In short, doing nothing allows your brain to do its most creative and productive work.


Tip 56 - How the Zen principle of Sitting Down, Doing Nothing can help you 

Invest in Yourself: Why Language Learning Pays Dividends for Life

In Episode 54 of 111 Tips for Learning a Language, we uncover how language learning is a long-term investment that always yields returns. Discover how every effort you make—no matter how small—compounds over time to benefit your mind, career, and cultural connections.

Here’s what we explore:
✅ How language skills sharpen your mind and keep you adaptable 
✅ The financial and career benefits of bilingualism 
✅ Why cultural competence is an asset in today’s world 

Ready to see language learning as your most valuable asset? Listen now and start investing in yourself today! 

Tip 54 - Consider your language learning difficulties as a long-term investment in yourself 

Understanding the “Laziness Factor”
When you’re feeling lazy about learning a language, it usually means you’re lacking motivation or genuine interest. Although research shows that motivation is a critical driver of engagement in learning, you have to be aware that not all motivation is the same. This is because there’s intrinsic motivation (which is interest that comes from inside you) and extrinsic motivation (which are rewards and incentives that come from outside you). To keep moving forward, it helps to know which type of motivation works best for you.

To Overcome Your Laziness, You Have To Find A Personal Connection With The Language You Are Learning.
If you’re struggling with motivation, tapping into internal interest can help. Studies show that people are more likely to engage in activities they find personally meaningful. Here are some ways to cultivate this type of interest when the thought of language learning makes you lazier by the second. 


Tip 53 – How to Learn a Language When Motivation is Low: Turning Laziness into Productivity

Sophie knows what it’s like to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety in learning. When she was younger, she often found herself overwhelmed when studying, fearing that her efforts wouldn’t pay off. Research shows that fear often stems from a lack of self-confidence, where we question our own abilities. Sophie’s self-doubt was compounded by her parents’ high expectations, which made her feel like she could never measure up. Instead of motivating her, these pressures caused her to avoid studying, fearing that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be “good enough.”

In adulthood, Sophie realized that her fear was more than just insecurity—it was often accompanied by a sense of learning guilt. This guilt made her feel undeserving of success. When she did well, she sometimes self-sabotaged by downplaying her accomplishments or giving up at the next hurdle. According to research, self-sabotage often results from feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth, where people create barriers to avoid possible failure. Sophie’s “learning guilt” made her believe she wasn’t truly capable or deserving of progress, reinforcing her tendency to give up rather than push forward.

How did Sophie move forward? 