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 above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!" - Buddha

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou

Until next time, keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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"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 test this theory. We simply need to be present, in the moment. Who is being heard? Who is being ignored? Who is ignoring themselves?

In this episode we explore a new take on an old saying. I hope you'll listen.

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts 

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 more, or play games or binge watch shows, all in an effort to avoid facing what we must.

The ego voice tells us to attack others, to raise ourselves higher, to judge and attack. This whisper seeks drama so that we can avoid introspection, and focus on things outside us. Bring light to these thoughts, these whispers and bring realization and attention to what you are listening to and feeding. 

 "You'll find the way in whispers of truth which you experience in your own everyday life."

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 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 new relationship with yourself, we need to loosen our grip, open our hands and welcome something new in.

Open hand, open heart, open mind...

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts 

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. Sometimes the greatest teachers are the toughest ones. They push up beyond the limits we've set for ourselves, to achieve something greater. Your teacher is waiting for you, prepare, do your work and keep an eye out.

Keep digging down in order to scale up.

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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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 surround ourselves with. 

"You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself." - Buddha

"By your own efforts, waken yourself, watch yourself, and live joyfully. You are the master." - Buddha

As we wish 2018 goodbye, and bow for what it has taught us, we welcome 2019 and bow for what it will bring us. 

Let us plant our hopes and dreams in the fertile soil of life, and cultivate and care for them, as we walk our path and become one with it.

Happy New Year! Thank you for joining me on my path and it is my honor to join you on yours. (Deep Bow)

Dean

www.startuproshi.com

[email protected]

Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts 

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 have learned that to be with those I like is enough." - Walt Whitman Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com [email protected] Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts

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 point we imagine. When we start, we have a goal, and we think what it will look like. But day in and day out, day after day, our choices, and events, take us down all sorts of paths, side streets and detours. There is now one, straight path. So don't fixate on the one "right" step. Just take that step. And the next one and the next one. Momentum will keep you going, even when sometimes you don't know where you're going. Zen Story: A horse suddenly came galloping quickly down the road. It seemed as though the man had somewhere important to go. Another man, who was standing alongside the road, shouted, "Where are you going?" and the man on the horse replied, "I don't know! Ask the horse!" Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com [email protected] Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 unknown and limitless potential. My barn having burned to the ground, I can now see the moon. - Mizuta Masahide Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com [email protected] Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 both incredibly valuable. Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com [email protected] Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 [email protected] Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi