When you hear the word "Zen," you probably think of Japanese temples and rock gardens. However, what you might not realize is that Zen originated in China, where it's known as Chan Buddhism. The religion places a strong emphasis on meditation, and its principles heavily influenced Apple founder Steve Jobs's design aesthetic. But what exactly is Chan?

Put simply, Chan is about being aware. Some people call it mindfulness; others call it "living in the moment." The idea is to be consciously aware of what you're doing at all times. You pay attention, but you don't judge. By doing this, we're able to better observe and find inspiration from our environment. In fact, many of Chan's principles apply to good design, helping artists create simple solutions to complex problems. 

The Caoshanbaoji Temple in southern China follows the Caodong school of Chan Buddhism. Days here begin and end with meditation, which is believed to help you attain enlightenment. However, Chan Buddhists believe that enlightenment can be achieved pretty much anywhere. In order to do that, you must "cultivate yourself," which means to live life according to Buddhist principles and just generally be a good person. Cultivation can be done anywhere – while chopping vegetables in the kitchen, or working in the garden. All that matters is you remain mindful, and not get distracted by anything.

Buddhists believe we live in a constant cycle of life and death. We're born, then we die, then we're born again. By attaining enlightenment, we're able to escape that loop and obtain bliss. However, most of us simply aren't interested in renouncing our way of life and joining a temple. That's where Chan comes in. Because it doesn't matter if you're a monk or an accountant, the goal is the same: to be fully present.