A manager was recently asked to describe her role in the company. She responded that it was her responsibility to spread the spirit of worth by creating a sense of purpose in her employees.
If a manager could master that responsibility, her employees would work as if they were at play.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Forget About It
There is a certain kind of amnesia that lulls us into a false sense of security.
This forgetfulness is not the result of a poor memory. Rather, it is the result of our inability to conjure up an experience of the past in the present moment. When we recall an event, it is only a limited description and not the actual experience itself.
Hence, we have difficulty recalling the emotional impact of even the most painful experiences. After trials and tribulations, we rest easy and often forget that fate can be pitiless.
The best way to prepare for an unknown future is not to slumber in the present moment, but to awaken our faith and courage.
This forgetfulness is not the result of a poor memory. Rather, it is the result of our inability to conjure up an experience of the past in the present moment. When we recall an event, it is only a limited description and not the actual experience itself.
Hence, we have difficulty recalling the emotional impact of even the most painful experiences. After trials and tribulations, we rest easy and often forget that fate can be pitiless.
The best way to prepare for an unknown future is not to slumber in the present moment, but to awaken our faith and courage.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
A Guide in the Wilderness
It is very difficult to practice Zen without a true teacher. Unfortunately, we are not likely to bump into a sage as we go about our daily activity.
That leaves books as our next best option. But it is difficult to recognize a true teacher by his written words because the false prophet sounds exactly the same in speaking and in writing.
Long ago, Christ gave the ultimate litmus test so that we could tell the difference between the charlatan and the enlightened individual: A wise man would never advocate hatred and violence.
By this test, Hitler was not a wise man despite his many followers and a book to his credit.
Nor is wisdom gender-specific. A woman can be as wise or foolish as a man.
No one wants to be lead by a fool. Again, since both the fool and the sage speak the same language, we need another test to tell the two apart.
The second test that we can apply in determining whether we should accept a spiritual teacher as our guide is also straightforward: A wise man or woman always leads you back to yourself. This is because a fool thinks he knows while a wise man knows that he does not know. He also knows that the truth is within each of us.
In addition, a true teacher will encourage you to find your own way under the current circumstances of your life. He or she will point out the wrong way so that you can discover the true way for yourself. With a true teacher, you will always be safe from wrong practice.
Once you have found your teacher, study to know the reality that flows between his words.
That leaves books as our next best option. But it is difficult to recognize a true teacher by his written words because the false prophet sounds exactly the same in speaking and in writing.
Long ago, Christ gave the ultimate litmus test so that we could tell the difference between the charlatan and the enlightened individual: A wise man would never advocate hatred and violence.
By this test, Hitler was not a wise man despite his many followers and a book to his credit.
Nor is wisdom gender-specific. A woman can be as wise or foolish as a man.
No one wants to be lead by a fool. Again, since both the fool and the sage speak the same language, we need another test to tell the two apart.
The second test that we can apply in determining whether we should accept a spiritual teacher as our guide is also straightforward: A wise man or woman always leads you back to yourself. This is because a fool thinks he knows while a wise man knows that he does not know. He also knows that the truth is within each of us.
Once you have found your teacher, study to know the reality that flows between his words.
The volatile
truth of our words should continually betray the inadequacy of the
residual statement. Their truth is instantly translated; its
literal monument alone remains. The words which express our faith
and piety are not definite; yet they are significant and fragrant
like frankincense to superior natures.--Henry David Thoreau
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