Startup Roshi

"If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" -  Philosophical thought experiment

Science tells us that sound is created by vibration. If a tree falls, then vibrations create sounds, no matter if that sound is heard.

But what does experience tell us? How do we listen? How are we heard? How do we hear that voice inside of us? 

Sounds are present all day, every day, all around us? Do we listen? ...

When we hear that voice in our mind, it can come in two forms, the whisper asking us to do better and be better, and the whisper that attacks others or defends our sense of self. One if looking to connect and the other to disconnect. One is seeking our enlightenment and the other to feed our ego. One tears down walls and the others builds them up.

When we are asked to do things that are uncomfortable we tend to avoid and ignore or ...

 We want to hold onto things in life. We want to hold onto people, places, memories, relationships, because they mean something to us, or because we are afraid to move on and move forward. Either way, when we hold on, our hands are closed. We are telling the universe that we can't take on anything new because we we're carrying the past. 

"The tighter you squeeze, the less you have." - Zen saying

To welcome in change, whet...

It's 2019 and no doubt you have your resolutions, hopes and dreams all set. Maybe you are building on 2018 or maybe you are working on something new, but whatever the case, you will be better off working with a coach, mentor or advisor, who can help you achieve your goals and accelerate your success. 

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." - Zen proverb

Sometimes we may not recognize a teacher right away. It can...

Happy holidays! As we head into the new year, I wanted to share some of my own thoughts, hopes and dreams for 2019. Life is not a spectator sport and it is not a solo sport. It is a team sport, meant to be lived, loved and experienced with others. There is an African proverb. "If you travel alone you go fast. If you travel with others you go far.

A Zen master said that the Sangha (the community) is everything. And I have to come to...

At home and at work we are surrounded by people. These people have a direct effect on our lives. Who is in your life? Do they love and support you? Do you love an support them? When we look back on our lives, we remember the moments, the feelings, the emotions and the people. When you are surrounded by supportive people, who want you to succeed, you are more likely to. The more people you try and help, the more likely you all succe...

We all have goals for our lives. Things we want to start and accomplish. We invest in ourselves and sacrifice, so that we may achieve our goals. Issues arise when we can overthink, over-analyze and over-research, and never take that first step. I call this paralysis by analysis, and it is very common. After all, no one wants to make a bad choice or take the wrong step. However, this is the wrong mindset, because no matter how much ...

Things happen in life that upset us, that make us question ourselves, our choices and life itself. How do we react to things when something happens, as it inevitable does. How do we view the the situation, overcome and persevere. Our perception and outlook helps us define these challenges and transform them from roadblocks to speed bumps. When we let go of self limiting beliefs and self sabotage, we remake our relationship with our...

How do you value yourself? When you price out your product, your time or your knowledge, how do you go about it? Do you value yourself as you should, or do you give away too much, and hope you get a return? "The trouble is, you think you have time." - Buddha We think we have limitless time. It is a trick of the mind, so that we can operate in this world. Time is limited and we have to be careful how we invest our time, in what, a...

We live in this world with many titles. We are surrounded by them, we take them on and they begin to define who we are. But they are not who we are. They are labels we put on, like putting on a denim jacket full of buttons. Is that jacket you? No. The jacket can be removed. My teacher, Roshi Rich Hart, passed a few months back, and this episode is in his honor. We look at two of his favorite sayings. He was constantly asking his s...

We all have goals and dreams in life. What do you think your life will be like once you achieve your goals and dreams? Can the dream live up to the reality? Was where you are today once a dream too? Recognize your life and appreciate it, where you are today and those around you. Zen Koan: One day the Master announced that a young monk had reached an advanced state of enlightenment. The news caused some stir. Some of the monks went...

Life is full of fears, rational and irrational. It can be debilitating, causing us to freeze at the moments that require action. Only by taking action can we take steps to improve ourselves. When the time comes, what will you do? What will you say? Today's koan is "Nanchuan's Cat": Nanchuan saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. Seizing the cat, he told the monks: “If any of you can say a word of Zen, ...

Things take time, and in today's world we are time averse, wanting instant gratification, on-demand and quick replies. The truth is, that is not how it works. Big, worthwhile endeavors take time, patience, practice. Are you willing to put in that effort or will you stop at the first pitfall, road block or criticism. There are no right or wrong answers, only our responses based on our preparation, experience. Be prepared, mentally, ...

Zen Koan - Monk: "What is the one road of Ummon?" Ummon: "Personal Experience!" Monk: "What is the Way?" Ummon: ""Go!" Monk: "What is the road, where is the Way?" Ummon: "Begin walking it!" What is your true voice in a world full of noise? Will you try to mimic what others say? Will you stay quiet in order to blend? Do you speak up, even if what you have to say may be unpopular? We can learn from others. We read books, watch vide...