Startup Roshi

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 students to let go and show him who they truly are.

"A satisfactory sense of self can never be constructed. It is a frustrating and futile endeavor."

"Show me just as you are, you're ok."

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 to see the young monk. "We heard you are enlightened. Is that true?" they asked.

"It is," he replied.

"And how do you feel?"

"As miserable as ever," said the monk.

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

Instagram and Twitter @startuproshi

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, you will save the cat.” No one answered. Nanchuan cut the cat in two. That evening Zhaozho returned to the monastery and Nanchuan told him what had happened. Zhaozho removed his sandals, placed them on his head, and walked out. Nanchuan said: “If you had been there, you would have saved the cat.”

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

Instagram and Twitter @startuproshi

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, physically and emotionally, and you'll go far.

A fellow went to a Zen master and said, “If I work very hard, how soon can I be enlightened?”

The Zen master looked him up and down and said, “Ten years.”

The fellow said, “No, listen, I mean if I really work at it, how long—”

The Zen master cut him off. “I’m sorry. I misjudged. Twenty years.”

”Wait!” Said the young man, “You don’t understand! I’m—”

“Thirty years,” said the Zen master.

www.startuproshi.com

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

What it always comes back to is, "who do you want to be?"

We have an affect on everyone and everything around us, including our business and startup.

It takes time, patience and persistence, not just to build up, but to deconstruct.

Taking this Buddha quote line by line, we look deep in and break down what it takes to let concepts go and take things as they are, moment by moment.

Before you launch or start anything, you have the idea. Before you have the idea, you have your approach to the world. How will your approach feed your idea, and how will your idea inform your launch?

What's your mindset to launching your product and putting yourself out there?

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 videos, attend lectures, all in order to improve ourselves. But, at a certain point, we can not copy, we need to create. We need to find our own way, our own path, and speak with our authentic voice.

www.instagram.com/startuproshi

www.startuproshi.com

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 videos, attend lectures, all in order to improve ourselves. But, at a certain point, we can not copy, we need to create. We need to find our own way, our own path, and speak with our authentic voice.

www.instagram.com/startuproshi

www.startuproshi.com

Zen Proverb: Let it go or be dragged down

What are you holding on to? Anger? Resentment? Who you are? Who you should be? You need to let it all go if you want to grow.

The more we hold on to, the more weight we carry, the easier it is to get bogged down and dragged down.

www.startuproshi.com

@startuproshi

In life we all have a purpose, a north start, that defines who we are and what we do.

"Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” - Buddha

On your path, what is your north star? What distracts you from reaching it?

www.startuproshi.com