Although popular culture is often banal, there is worthwhile meaning embedded in this television show, including some Zen lessons on letting go of resentment, seeking justice instead of revenge, managing anger, achieving acceptance when times seem dark, and recognizing our connection with others.

Buddhism, as a religious and/or philosophical enquiry, has been pointing the way towards the casting off of the self for the last 2,500 years.

I know what I am talking about is almost too personal to be articulated properly and also something that everyone either has or will have gone through at some time in their lives.

There is a Zen story about a student who said to a master, Master Ichu, “Please write for me something of great wisdom.” Master Ichu picked up his brush and wrote one word: “Attention.” The student said, “Is that all?” The master wrote, “Attention Attention.”

I remember first learning meditation practice, as a somewhat distracted and giggly student. The leader of the session said that “the great thing about your breathing is that it’s always with you, you even take it with you on the bus!” I was sorely challenged in my attempt to keep a straight face. It was funny but it was true, it was funny because it was true.

I had a quick surf around the internet and realised just what a lot of time you could spend, if you were so inclined, reading tips on how to prioritise, streamline, simplify, and link up the things you do every day with your goals in life. In fact someone like me could use these tips as a handy feel-good tick list (“Know that! Yes, of course!”), and simultaneously it would work beautifully as a procrastination device.