I love this Zen story. A famous Japanese swordsman disowned his son Matajuro because he considered him too mediocre and undisciplined to ever reach the level of proficiency required to inherit his school. Bent on redeeming himself, the young man headed to Mount Futara to find renowned master Banzo, in the hopes to study with him. When he arrived and…
You Can’t Be Happy Without Understanding Your Mind
Two young Zen monks were traveling on a muddy road under a heavy rain when they saw a pretty girl in a silk kimono and sash looking at the road. She was clearly hesitant to cross the intersection and get her clothes dirty. One of the young men offered to carry her over the mud, lifting her in his arms…
Master the Art of Listening For Emotional & Spiritual Freedom
How much time do you spend in solitude and silence? In this time and age, it’s easy to guess not much. We are attached to our cell phones, we constantly interact with people in person and on social media, and we get bombarded with all kinds of stimuli and news as we go about our daily routines. I live in…
The Liberating Practice of Moving Into Stillness
If I asked you to count how many thoughts you think within a minute, would you include the thoughts produced by counting or would you consider those part of your task? The answer may not be obvious, because there are different mental layers at play in any cognitive process. This is what allows you to tackle three different things at…
The Urgent Need For Spiritual Responsibility
I grew up in a dysfunctional family, like most people, experiencing the same emotional neglect my parents had likely endured growing up, and their parents before them—the lack of awareness and love passed on from one generation to the next. Although I was the youngest of my siblings, my natural disposition to lead and be of service placed me from…
The True Power Of Devotion
We live in a highly toxic world, a world filled with violence and injustice, ruled by greed and the pursuit of power. Everywhere you look, there are crimes, disasters, and all kinds of disheartening news. Of course, good things are happening as well, but the negative ones get much louder, so it’s hard not to get tangled up, feeling powerless…
