Are You A Meditator, A Scientist, An Entrepreneur, An Artist, Or An Activist?

In this issue:

·     Insights Into Practices

·     A Poem, by Mary Oliver

·     The Evolution of Self Esteem

·     One Half-day Retreat

Insights Into Practices: Are You A Meditator, A Scientist, An Entrepreneur, An Artist, Or An Activist?

I was looking at a study of entrepreneurs who approach their businesses like a scientist would, versus those who don’t.  As scientists, they see their strategies as theories to be tested. In this study, 100 company founders came together. Half were advised to act with the approach of scientist, and the other half were not. The results of the study were business leaders who took the scientist’s approach far out-performed those who did not.

In business, though we often value speed and decisiveness, the scientist’s approach of more slow, doubting, and steady often has better results.

With this in mind, I think it can be useful to experiment with seeing yourself not only through one lens but through several lenses. Five ways of being in the world that all seem essential to our wellbeing and effectiveness are a meditator, a scientist, an entrepreneur, an artist, and an activist

 

Meditator – someone who has a regular meditation practice, and aspires to bring mindful, warmhearted awareness, and supporting others into all aspects of life.

A core practice of a meditator: You have the ability to be still and let go of various biases.

Scientist – Approaches most activities with an attitude of wonder, testing to see what works, what is true and not true.

A core practice of a scientist: You are willing to experiment and try new, unfamiliar things.

Entrepreneur – A person who looks at what is needed and implements a vision that solves problems to meet those needs.

A core practice of an entrepreneur: You develop a vision for what is possible.

Artist – Someone who expresses creativity through various mediums.

A core practice of an artist: You trust your creativity and allow it to arise.

Activist – A person who aspires to have positive influence through social, political, or environmental change.

A core practice of an activist: You ask what is best for the common good.

Practice:

In what ways do you or might you show up with these qualities in your work and life?

What identities are strongest and what might need attention?

 

A Poem, called Today, by Mary Oliver

Today I’m flying low and I’m
not saying a word.
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.

The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.

But I’m taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.

Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.

The Evolution of Self Esteem

– from Think Again, by Adam Grant

Phase 1: I’m Not Important

Phase 2: I’m Important

Phase 3: I want to contribute to something important

Half Day Meditation Retreat, Sunday, April 7^th

Mill Valley and Online

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.

In our world of busyness, of more/faster/better, this half-day retreat offers time to stop, reflect, and renew. We will explore the practices of effort and effortless as a path to well-being.

Together we’ll follow a gentle schedule of sitting and walking meditation, a talk, and some discussion. Anyone looking to begin or deepen a meditation and mindfulness practice is invited to attend.

What is meditation? I like a definition proposed by Zen teacher Dogen, the 13th century founder of Zen in Japan: “The practice I speak of is not meditation. It is simply the dharma gate of repose and bliss…It is the manifestation of ultimate reality…Once its heart is grasped, you are like a dragon when he gains the water, like a tiger when she enters the mountains.”