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 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 dean@startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts

"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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts

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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi Apple iTunes * Google Podcast * Stitcher * Spotify * Pocket Casts

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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com 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 dean@startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 true?" they asked. "It is," he replied. "And how do you feel?" "As miserable as ever," said the monk. Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com dean@startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter @startuproshi

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 in two. That evening Zhaozho returned to the monastery and Nanchuan told him what had happened. Zhaozho removed his sandals, placed them on his head, and walked out. Nanchuan said: “If you had been there, you would have saved the cat.” Keep digging down in order to scale up. Dean www.startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter @startuproshi

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 to a Zen master and said, “If I work very hard, how soon can I be enlightened?” The Zen master looked him up and down and said, “Ten years.” The fellow said, “No, listen, I mean if I really work at it, how long—” The Zen master cut him off. “I’m sorry. I misjudged. Twenty years.” ”Wait!” Said the young man, “You don’t understand! I’m—” “Thirty years,” said the Zen master. www.startuproshi.com Instagram and Twitter: @startuproshi

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 a certain point, we can not copy, we need to create. We need to find our own way, our own path, and speak with our authentic voice. www.instagram.com/startuproshi www.startuproshi.com

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

Once you have achieved something, and changed something, can you go back to who you were or where you came from? A monk asked Kegon, “How does an enlightened one return to the ordinary world?” Kegon replied, “A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches.” www.startuproshi.com

The bell rings and you act. What do you do? Why do you do it? You've trained your whole life to get to this point. This is a pivotal point, when the bell rings do you want to do what you have always done, or, in this wide, amazing world, do you want to try something new, different? Unmon said, "The world is vast and wide. Why do you put on your seven-piece robe at the sound of the bell?" https://www.startuproshi.com/home/answer-the-bell

Do you know what you're company is? What your product is? Who your customers are? Who you are? Good! Now throw it all away, because when you think you know you stop asking questions, evolving and growing. https://www.startuproshi.com/home/kill-your-startup

Here you are, walking through life, which is better than sleeping through life. You decide that you want more, you want something better because something just does not seem right. You want enlightenment, or you want to start a business. It can be almost anything, but it is a decision first and then an action you must take in order to go after something you want. https://www.startuproshi.com/home/down-the-well

Have a question? Be prepared for the answer but don't expect one. As soon as you start looking for an answer, rather than asking a question, you're in trouble. Keep an open mind, talk less and listen more. Ego will want to defend, but don't fall for the trap. Kill your conceptions and grow your business.

When there is an emergency we need to take action, but with wisdom and not foolishness. That wisdom comes with experience but assess the situation and act accordingly. Don't go overboard when a small measure will do, but always err on the side of action.

Judgment, resentment, broken rules and moving forward. Today's episode is all about that and more. Letting go of things, believing in ourselves and taking action, even if it means going against someone else's wishes. What's holding you back and why?

Wash your bowls, a simple request, but it can be a difficult task. Who wants to do the mundane tasks when enlightenment is calling, or a million dollar business is waiting to be born. Well, enlightenment and success are build with a million mundane tasks. In this episode we look at the zen parable, "Wash you bowls," and how it can keep us focused and on track.

We all hold beliefs in our lives and businesses. These beliefs can get us started but they can quickly derail us if we don't adapt to what we learn. What beliefs do you hold on to that may be preventing you from learning and changing. In this episode I'll discuss the famous tea cup koan and how it might apply to business and products.

Startup Roshi's 1st episode! Starting something can be intimidating and daunting but even the longest trek begins with a first step. Whether you are building an empire or deconstructing your ego, you have to start with a step. Maybe it is speaking to ten people, or a ten minute meditation, nothing gets started until you take action. Join my mailing list at www.startuproshi.com

Startup Roshi is about the convergence of Zen and startups and how to stay grounded, even as you shoot for the stars. Every day we'll look at different zen quotes and sayings and explore how they apply to you and your business. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and a zen student for 15. My story is a story of success and failure, joy and pain and pride and shame. It's the story of a startup founder who who needed to also find himself. I think my story is probably a lot like your story and I hope you'll join me on this journey.