Startup Roshi

We can live a life of regret, disappointing with where we are, and a life of discontent, always wanting something else, something more. But Buddha told us that there is a way, to fully embrace our situation, to love where we are, find the good and live in the moment. A Parable: "A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from...

"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? Do we even notice? We don't have to be in the middle of a forest to...

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 self medicate. Maybe we drink more than we should, or eat...

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, whether that is a new job, a new relationship with others, and especially a...

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 be a person or a situation. It may also not be pleasant....

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 see and believe that. We are strengthened by those we...

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 succeed. "We were together. I forget the rest." - Walt Whitman "I...

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 thought and research we put in, we will never end up at the...

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 ourselves and the world, expanding our view and embracing...

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, and in who. Value yourself, value your time, because they are...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 dean@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

A bodhisattva in Buddhism is a person who has taken a vow to liberate all sentient beings. WOW! Talk about a devotion to a tough job. Is there someone in your life that is dedicated to you and your success? Are you dedicated to someone else's success? Are you dedicated to your own? www.startuproshi.com