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Where’s My ZEN?

Finding Zen in Everyday Moments

May

17, 2012

Mapping Your Noodle

New brain imaging shows gridlock

Dear [fname]:

Don’t you love it when a plan comes together or should I say a matrix? Well, I
was reviewing some light reading in Science News about a group of scientists
who have discovered that the brain’s pathways are arranged more like a package
of neatly interwoven ramen noodles. Using a new brain-scanning device at
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Van Wedeen led the
team to uncover the brain’s superhighways. (1)

The scans show that the brain signals form a “grid made up of parallel and
perpendicular tracts woven together into curved sheets.” The grid has an
evolutionary basis as we see it also in primates. What is interesting is that
the matrix (see below story), which I developed to explain, part one of the Zen
Advantage Program graphically demonstrates a grid in which memory

The Matrix and Your Noodle

Mapping Your Noodle

New brain imaging shows gridlock

Don’t you love it when a plan comes together or should I say a matrix? Well, I
was reviewing some light reading in Science News about a group of scientists
who have discovered that the brain’s pathways are arranged more like a package
of neatly interwoven ramen noodles. Using a new brain-scanning device at
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Van Wedeen led the
team to uncover the brain’s superhighways. (1)

The scans show that the brain signals form a “grid made up of parallel and
perpendicular tracts woven together into curved sheets.” The grid has an
evolutionary basis as we see it also in primates. What is interesting is that
the matrix (see below story), which I developed to explain, part one of the Zen
Advantage Program graphically demonstrates a grid in which…

Casting Call for Documentary Film

Documenting the Magic

Taking it one step further…

I have teamed up with some visionaries to make a new documentary about how the
Zen Advantage Program changes people’s lives. I know how powerful it is because
I have been hearing inspirational comments from readers of my books and
workshop participants for years. Now, we will take it one step further, by
documenting how change occurs in the lives of those lucky few people that will
choose to participate in the filming of this vital documentary.

If you are interested to participate in this worthy film or if you know someone
who may be ideal, then please click on the link to right or forward this
message to them. The specific details are below…

Conquer Public Speaking Fears

Can You Give a Toast?

Are you afraid? or good at it?

A [1]Chicago Tribune article said:

“Talking in public is the No. 1 phobia in the world,” says Jonathan Berent, a
licensed psychotherapist and co-author of the book “Work Makes me Nervous.” “A
number of my patients say they would consider getting into an accident on the
way to work to avoid speaking in public scenarios. One patient who was an
ovarian cancer survivor said she’d rather go back to chemo.”

I know the feeling of having the fear of public speaking. I know the
disappointment of not being able to give a toast, let alone a good toast. I had
Glossophobia, commonly know as stage fright or fear of public speaking…

Finding Your Zen in Emptiness

A Universe Without Purpose

Where Nothingness Creates All Things

So I am reading an article in the Sunday Los Angeles Times titled, “A Universe
Without Purpose.” I know this is a little deep to be considering on a perfectly
beautiful Sunday afternoon (obvious reference implied). It starts: “the
illusion of purpose is perhaps the most pervasive illusion about nature that
science has to confront…” And I am thinking, “how many people are thinking that
exact same thing at this moment?” Today, many are in church, many are playing,
and many are working. What are you doing right now when the Universe “needs” to
be defined?

Haa! Seriously, the universe will STILL exist without us trying to define it!
Well , back to the L.A. Times article and the author who is the director of the
Origins Project at Arizona State University, his newest book a “Universe…

Zen, Sex, and Math

When Aroused, Does 2+2=6?

Learning Sexual Transmutation

I’m reading an article in Cosmopolitan on my wife’s Kindle titled, “Your
Hotness Fries His Brain,” about how scientists discovered that guys couldn’t
think properly when they are around a pretty woman. A study found that men have
a harder time doing simple math problems when they receive an instant message
from a woman than when they received one from a man. Guys are hard wired to
think about sex and unfortunately it creates less brainpower. But NOT for those who know how to tap into the energy…

Overcoming Fears and Phobias-Video

Eliminating that Dark Space in Your Mind Where Fears Grow and Fester

About 19.2 million American adults ages 18 and over, or some 8.7 percent of
people in this age group in a given year, have some type of specific phobia, or
extreme fear.

How many of us are trapped by fears and phobias? A PHOBIA IS DIFFERENT IT TAKES
A FEAR AND TURNS IT INTO A PRISON SENTENCE. I know it was for me, until I
learned how to unlock the prison door and escape.

Many of us have fears that our minds have created without our consent…

Banker says He is Not Zen at All

Can The Rich Suffer like the Poor?

Well, the Buddha says all is suffering until there is liberation or
enlightenment. It is awakening to read the following stories about how the rich
are suffering in this economy, in contrast to what most people think once
people are rich all of their problems are over. Or perhaps their problems just
begun. Yet, in fact in reality, new ones will arise and old ones just multiply.
I have concluded that not only is it true that “money can’t buy you love” as
the Beatles screamed once upon a time, but money can’t buy you enlightenment.

My favorite Zen master, Ikkyu, who lived in the 14th century despised how the
rich could BUY an Inka from the head master at the local Zen Temple. The Inka
is a written certification given to one who have reached enlightenment. Just as
today, non-profits always need money and of course selling or giving…

In Vino Veritas

The Zen Of Wine

The Zen of Wine poem below was inspired by a recent trip we took to the
vineyards just north of Santa Barbara. We love our reds, and especially have a
soft spot for a good Pinot Noir or a nice Chianti-Sangiovese. But today we
decided on one of our favorite vineyards that produces a Sauvignon Blanc that
is unmatched in its subtle grapefruit taste with the perfect blend of fresh
squeezed citrus and a refreshing splash of coconut. We know a good Sauvignon
Blanc since we had the experience of traveling for 10 days the entire wine
trail in the North Island of New Zealand. And they are known for the absolute
best Sav Blanc’s in the world.

Our first pour at the vineyard led us to take the taste outside the tasting
room—slowly taking in the stunning view of the vineyard with rows of winter
vines and rolling green hills. We tasted slowly and enjoyed mindfully,
absorbing not j

Rock Band Finds Their Zen

The Zen of Rock & Roll
Seed Potential and Inner Anti-Authoritarian Spirit

For those of you who don’t know them, Lynyrd Skynyrd is the American rock band
responsible for hits like “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”. Just as they
were getting into their peak years, they lost two of their members in a plane
crash in 1977. The individual members tried to form new bands, but saw little
success and regrouped in 1987. Now, you might be asking, “what does any of this
have to do with zen?” It turns out, quite a bit. After attending a recent
concert of theirs, I had some thoughts I wanted to share.

First, I realized that the original line-up had the ability to find their Zen
or “seed potential” through others that they shared something with. You see,
the band never had the same energy or peak performance after the plane crash;
the band’s best music is still from 1973-1977…