True Love and New DNA - LIFE's basic Principle

What is LIFE's basic Principle?  Given the limitation of words to express the inexpressible, the sentence below is my best answer that I can think of at the moment:

Confirm True Love*, (or connection to the heart through intimacy/oneness) and find new DNA (and fully expressing the potential) with the realization that there are infinite ways to do so.

I realize that such is the basic principle of my life that I aim for.  Or, what I call here, The New Hero's Journey!!! And if so, then, how do I confirm the true love (or connection to the base/source/heart - so to speak)? Answer: Through the sense of intimacy... oneness .... Again, given that words have limitation, in the post, Deeper level of Connection and Communication,  I proposed various signs of "connection to the Heart" (shortened as follow):

-  Sense of being present, here and now

-  Vivid sense of inner body sensation, aliveness, liveliness 

-  Calm, clear and quiet mind

-  Body/muscle is totally relaxed

-  No ego/self; desirelessness, effortlessness, no boundaries

-  No doubt, questions, concerns

-  Mind and body are one; I am the universe

-  Sense of serenity, peace, feeling at home

-  Delusions/errors are nowhere to find; If there are, there is no significance.

-  Sense of living truthfully; being absolute

-  Sense of Ki (Life energy) flowing

-  Sense of oneness; non-duality; connection to unconscious/infinite potential

-  Sense of love, bliss, and intimacy to all

-  Sense of time lost its meaning/significance; everything is OK as it is

Then, finding the new DNA (and fully expressing the potential) will be assured as the following points are witnessed:

-  Brain and Heart find a connection

-  Heart to heart communication between people, and everything else is made possible
-  Kegon (interpenetration - everything is connected to everything else)

-  This deeper level communication may be manifested as wisdom and compassion

-  Paradox of human existence is resolved (in oneness)

-  Bliss in various activities, e.g., work, hobby, relationship, health, and the sense of genuine security in any situation 

-  Discover new meaning of intimacy, e.g., sexual union, non-sexual relationship, Aikido, etc.  The list is infinite.

-  All of these corresponds to "living truthfully" - the new hero's journey


To illustrate, here are but a few quotes related to such a state/process:

"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places..." -  Pissarro

"Happiness that does not depend on anything"  - Daisetz Suzuki
"You are the master of your own destiny" - The Buddha

This experience/state/process whatever you may call, to me, is a realization of the whole, where nothing is missing, while all possibilities are being manifested. Yet, us being human, we may go in and out of such experience/state as our mind moves. That is the same as going between duality and oneness. Or, it is like going between mind and no mind. Or, it is like 1) mind, 2) mind but not losing the base ("mirror mind"), and 3) oneness (intimacy/melting into one/no mind). Although such description may be seen as unresolved or incomplete, I see it is so as humans.  In other words, as we go through ups and downs in life, we also appreciate to find the bliss....and find our way in life's journey. Only humans have this privilege. A Myokonin (a group of often poor, illiterate people in Shin sect of Buddhism in Japan) says, "Thank you for not taking all of my delusion away!"  In such words, I see the humble, yet bottomless appreciation of LIFE.

It is interesting when we see our own mind moving.. 

It is like us watching us in the mirror: objects in the mirror moves but not the mirror.

This is what I call the experience of "mirror mind"

Picasso said, "I've reached the moment.. when the movement of my thoughts
 interests me more than the thought itself"  

Taking this occasion, let me also talk about, what I call, the "Mirror mind." With mirror mind, the picture of the world we live in may look like this. We see the contents of the mind moving... as if it is a play on the mirror or movie screen.  Yet, screen or mirror itself does not move.  Interestingly, I found that mind (citta) has a meaning of container or envelope - which is like the image of screen or mirror where play of events takes place.  So, although we can relate to the play in the screen or mirror, it does not have an immediate impact to the watcher (as if he is just watching the movie - calmly and quietly).  There is no significance. This however points to transcending the paradox, where we see not just content, not just  mirror, but as a whole.  (Here, Kitaro Nishida, close friend of Daisetz Suzuki says, "self-identification of absolute paradox." or ”絶対矛盾の自己同一”)


Some call such state as "delusion is enlightenment." Why? Because the watcher see the delusion (mind movement) not as real. It is like a dream, unreal. This is because HE is connected to the source/heart/ground - the very secure ground. There is silence, eternal stillness, and serenity.  (again, the words are just a pointer and not to be scrutinized with mind/logic but to be felt as direct experience).  Again, although it appears that there may be two states, or observer and observed, this paradoxical situation is to be seen as one.  Instead of caught up in the mind, if one can watch his own mind, he is detached, and find the calm quiet mind - mirror mind.    Mr. Levenson said, "You won't be disturbed even if you are killed." This statement points to the functioning of the mirror mind. It is that base, the ground, the heart, true love - or "I am that I am" where "ultimate happiness" is found.

If such statement is not resonating with us now, we may realize that sometime as if from no where... if we keep our inquisitiveness and awareness sharp as if with the mind of new born child with calm and quiet mind....we may find us total openness/release to all of happenings without fear, defensiveness, ego, power, but true love.  (The message of Daisetz Suzuki on Love and Power is, as I believe, nothing but that!)

Perhaps as if adding legs to a snake, here are examples of those moments that may trigger or correspond with such state of being:

In Taichi - inner body sensation...sense the Ki/Chi (life energy) - Ki in Japanese; Chi in Chinese

In Meditation - same as above, mind and body as one, Awareness and equanimity

in Everyday events - sound of guitar, fresh breeze through the window, spider net in the sun - refer to my Poem, symphony of light, joy of life

In Nature - Feel one with nature, sense life energy, or Ki (Ki is Japanese; Chi in Chinese)

In Sex - In pure spiritual experience of intimacy - oneness with the partner, not just in orgasm in the conventional sense but spiritual ecstasy, is the pure moment of creation covered by bliss.

In Aikido - The master uses Ki, the life energy, based on compassion/true love. As if opponents are the extension of his mind and body, the master may read the mind of opponent as if he has a third eye, to resolve the situation harmoniously.  

In Sports, Art, and Business - Some common traits of masters are, effortless, desireless, witnessing, and faith (conscious of unconscious)

Note:

* I plan to write in the next post Re: Characteristics of the Masters (revisiting the Appendix form my book "Results from the Heart")

- True Love*:  I use this expression often, yet I have not defined quite clearly as IT is indescribable, yet to be experienced.  Other terms that may be used as synonym are: God, Law of universe, nature's way, Tao, emptiness, stillness, here/now, presence, ground, absolute, imperturbability, true self, original self before your father and mother were born, I am that (I am), etc.  Or, it may be felt at the moment as one notices one's mistake/delusion.  Or, to see things as they really are and not as they appears in our mind.

Happiness, Creativity, and Playfulness

Playfulness and happiness; Playfulness and creativity; Happiness in creative state.  I feel they are almost synonymous among themselves.  In other words, in that state, don't we feel a good utilization of our talent as if it is meant to be so?  Don't we feel like being really "alive"?  Don't we feel bliss, no words can describe?  And if so, how important is it to be connected to that state of playfulness, creativity and happiness?

Observe children in the sandbox.  Are they happy, playful and perhaps creative?  What about me writing this blog?  Am I playful, creative, and happy?  How about you immersed in your work or hobby which you like, or perhaps having a playful moment with your kids?  And of course, how about having a moment of intimacy with the loved one when the time has lost its meaning?  Don't you feel playful, creative, genuine and lively in such a moment?  

We do not have to be children to be "qualified" to play in the sand box...

OK there may be "hurdles" to overcome before getting there- like making a living, or address concerns of this and that.  Yet, as paradoxical as this may sound, are we not often dictated by those play of our own mind, to the point of blocking us from accessing those states where our senses are hightened, i.e., bright sunshine in the blue sky, vivid sense of colors of all surroundings, and smell and fresh breeze in the air.  In other words, intimacy with all!

What if we lose inquisitive eyes of children but to live in fear and anxiety?  What if we are caught up in our mind way too often and simply live as if according to the script from the TVs, and magazines and idiosyncrasy of the society?  Lost soul, lost paradise, lost intimacy with all...fun and pleasure of eternal children are no where to be found?!  Yet, I wonder, how can it be the case, especially when we are born as playful, creative, and happy children to start with?   Why not to be with the bliss, or follow the bliss and let the unknown future (new DNA) to unfold?  Or, whatever the task we may have, be engaged in it, forget time and space, or our self-identity.. just merged with the task at hand?

I want to propose to define happiness as the state when we are in the "zone" to express who we genuinely are?  And, may we also define "zone" as us connecting to the primary (the source, heart, law, order from God)?  If so, is it not absolute - beyond right and wrong of human mind?!  In other words, mind has little to do with what we may 'really' and 'truly' enjoy.  Yes, very subjective, is it not?  Although I recognize there are certain "rules" to follow, but they seem to be more of common sense, which is like not to hurt others and if possible, help with each other.  Yes, I propose, we can be playful and creative and happy alone, or with others - if we choose to be.

Desire less and be satisfied (from Buddhist sutra)

Then, I also see the connection to awakening or ultimate happiness (The free state) where Lester Levenson said five elements to characterize it, i.e., imperturbability, desireless, actionless, effortless, and witnessing.  And of course, there is no room for ego. 

Happiness is tied to liveliness, and it is about creativity, playfulness, fun, love, enjoyment!!!  Happiness is physical and biological!!! Also, it is tied to channeling the energy well toward new DNA whereas all cells are jumping!!!   And one more to add: body/muscle is totally relaxed when you are in that state.  These are the essence of LIFE, is it not?!

To end this post, here are some words of wisdom from those who walked ahead of us:

"To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me."  -  Issac Newton

When Pablo Picasso was 85, he was asked how his later paintings could be so innovative - could have the boldness and fire of a young artist's work.  Picasso's reply:"It takes a long time to become young."  -  Pablo Picasso

"Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculation or thinking. 'Childlikeness' has to be restored with long years of training in the art of self-forgetfulness. When this is attained, man thinks yet he does not think. He thinks like showers coming down from sky; he thinks like the waves rolling on the ocean; he thinks like the stars illuminating the nightly heavens; he thinks like the green foliage shooting forth in the relaxing spring breeze. Indeed he is the showers, the ocean, the stars, the foliage. "  -  Daisetz Suzuki

* Related Posts:
Bliss, Ecstasy and Ultimate Happiness
Have Fun and Express Who we are

Living Truthfully - Relationship with a Woman

Living truthfully...  We can only work toward that.  We are humans and may make mistake any moment.  We may not have the full perspective of the situation; we cannot predict the unknown future; we may not even know who we really are especially when ego is in play.  Impermanence is everywhere, everything is in transition, we ourselves are in transition going through new experiences externally and internally.  Yet, we can work toward that aim, living truthfully, as if to adjust the sail given the situation and find the path of truth in life.  This is an eternal quest while we may still enjoy the moment by connecting to the Heart, being in the presence and happy along the way.

It is ideal if we know our-self and the situation well and be able to find a path with insight based on our calm and quiet mind.  A case in point, here is a case of a man dating a woman, which brought forth some challenging situation - an example of how to live truthfully.  She was a single parent mother taking care of her teenager, going through severe financially difficulty, yet very compassionate to the people around her to the detriment of not looking after herself.  Hence, she ended up in doing so many things, yet, carried on her life even if the situation was hard physically, mentally and financially.   He got involved with her - odd enough so different from his previous relationship.  He was attracted by her genuinely compassionate character.

I wonder where these seeds may land, and...?

At the beginning of their relationship, he wanted to confirm what he thought might be the base of the relationship, i.e., true love (Primary relationship).  It is to live from the heart, which is essentially the same as living truthfully.  (For reference, see the poem, True Love, posted in Art, Life and True Love.)  As they became close, he found more about the difficulty she faced in life.  For example, while they tried to make time for themselves, it often resulted in interruption caused by work, family, friends, etc.  As single parent, she needed to attend the various requests of others. Eventually, he felt as if he was at the end of the list.  Their time together became less and more interrupted as various concerns mounted.

The situation became so chaotic such that he thought they could not maintain their relationship no matter how he tried to accommodate to meet her needs.  He often felt he was in the middle of the storm.  Here is a series of his writings that might point how he was going through this relationship, facing the unknown nature of circumstance internally and externally, yet to live truthfully the best he could.

* E-mail to her at 8AM

Two leaves on the Ocean

We are like two leaves met on the surface of the vast ocean...

wind, current, etc., thing can go this way or that way...

nothing is certain

Yet, we know where we are, and can still be like children

playing with imagination, exploring with innocent mind

appreciating time and space we happen to have

drifting on the ocean of love in this immense space...

not knowing what may happen in the next moment

yet we do what we can, and leave the rest to the divine,

that is our life, and our destiny

simply smile, do our best and move on!

it is the new hero's journey!

*  Following day, E-mail to her at 5AM

 (Rare to feel like this but sensing the danger of relationship, I shared my feeling)

I almost feel like getting a panic attack.  I am afraid that something may happen again on this Friday.... I cannot go back to sleep.

- He comes back with his friends and chaos takes over 

- Or, you pick him up, and drive back to home.  Then, take him to XYZ, only to go and pick him up again later

You are so busy and this is such a small thing ...like nothing.  But for me this is a sad reality.

I want to see you...especially as I feel closer to you again, but I am afraid, and am torn  - no where to go.

* to her at 7:30AM

I went out for a walk; it was misty...

The mountain tops were covered with low clouds 

I thought, there is a blue sky above these clouds

then, I thought if this was like the situation we are in

who knows even storm may come

yet, the sun is shining up in the sky - always

then, I wondered if we may be able to play like children

mindlessly...under the blue sky...someday...

* to her at 7:45AM

When children are told the cold fact of life

like their favorite toys are broken beyond repair,

they may openly cry for a long time...

parents may gently suggest that there is nothing they can do

Even the grown-ups fall into the similar situation

as we face the cold fact of life.

If we do our best and nothing more we can do...

accept what is, and just like children, let go...

The new morning will come, birds will sing

and the sun will shine in the blue sky some day.

So, put the smile back and twinkles in our eyes

just move on!

* from her at 3:30PM

Sometimes I don't want to hear words, but I just want to be held....

wish I could now.

* to her at 4:30PM

I am full of life energy...

Just a while ago, I was feeling "IT" even from flowers, and leaves..

I want to share such experience with you - as always have

as if to confirm our base 

That is the ultimate human experience I can think of...

no self, but covered by the mist of love

It is there, you know... if we let it reveal by itself...

and to me, Love is just a word to point to such a genuine state of our being

It is always there...

Always.


==


The above memo may portray the situation where they do their best to navigate the hardship in life no matter what the end result may be.  The memo started with the awareness of the situation they happen to be in (poem, 'two leaves in the ocean'). Then, he posted the fear of facing the unknown, followed by re-assessing the situation (analogy of 'clouds and the sun above') and reflecting with the story of children facing the inevitable's.  It may take some time to settle down and reorient.  Yet, at the end, they may realize that their life energy/true self will find ways to express itself, and lead the way - as they live truthfully.  

Deeper Level of Connection and Communication

Previously, I said primary relationship was the relationship with True self, Heart, God (if I may use this term), Infinite potential, or the Law - as if to connect with the source of compassion and wisdom --- and to find peace, happiness and harmony.  This may sound funny but it is developing the connection with Heart which we already have.  In any case, we are here to explore ways to develop that relationship, i.e., how to develop the deeper level of connection as if to find a special communication channel.


Generally, we know communication is multifaceted. There is verbal, and there is nonverbal which appeals to five senses.   Yet, from old days, Oriental philosophers said that we have 'sixth sense' to detect the Law of nature on top of five senses.  (Note this is somewhat different from typically used sixth sense as in extrasensory perception or ESP)  We are not what we are as solely captured on the mind movement.  For example, Hypnotist Milton Erickson's observed people while he was immobilized with polio.  People's "yes" in word may be "no" in body language, he said.  We know this in our own experience.  And if so, there may be a conflict of communication within oneself.  Also, how may we detect and address it?  If this is the conflict we have with Heart, may we simply ignore it?


Previously, with posts such as; primary relationship, 50 CM Problem (Brain and Heart), Hypnosis and Aikido, we looked into the deeper level of our being and how our Heart, or True self, may be expressed.  Yes, easy to say, but we need to practice this while our living condition changes constantly - not just within ourselves but also to communicate with others in the most truthful manner.  Such is the nature of communication and connection I believe we should go after.


In business settings, I point to managers that if their mind is disturbed, reactionary, or negatively conditioned, the impact to their organization and the business results could be huge.  I also say, "the shop floor reflects the mind of managers." (The New Shop Floor Management)  In other words, manager's mind is reflected on how people at the shop floor behave.  It shows in people's motivation, the level of housekeeping, quality of products and services, and cost and timeliness of job.  "If the top water is muddy, it cascades down to the rest of the organization."  So, I conduct a short meditation session with managers to be more aware of having the quality of calm and quiet mind.  The situation is no different in any organization, e.g., family.


Many spiritual teachers emphasize, "You need to address yourself first before helping others."  And if we do this successfully always ourselves first, we should be able to bring out the insight and compassion naturally in our daily life.  The title of my book, "Results from the Heart" points this internal link being utmost important to get the results that have meaning.  Brain should communicate with Heart, not act independently.


Previously, I used the Cross of Jesus as reference, i.e., primary (Know Thyself) and secondary (Know Others).  If we see us functioning in these two dimensions, we may see our communication in a different fashion, orienting that, ultimately, everything needs to be aligned connected to the Heart.  This is the meaning of "Living Truthfully," in the post on Life Profile.

An Image of Communication and Connection at Deeper Level

So, how do we connect to the Heart and how do we know if we are actually connected?  Remember? This connection/communication refers the "sixth sense," Asian philosophers mentioned.  When we use that sense with "a calm and quiet mind.", we may be able to say we are living truthfully - connected to the Heart.  Of course, this connection is something each one of us to find.  My view is that there is liveliness or bliss we feel when we are connected, perhaps vibration as inner body sensation.  There is an intuitive feel to it.  More we experience this, we may connect and expand as if into this new dimension more often, like opening the third eye, .


Here are indicative signs of being connected to Heart as I see it, i.e., my experience;

-  Sense of being in present, here and now, choiceless observation, witnessing

-  Vivid sense of inner body sensation, aliveness, liveliness 

(cells jumping around as if very happily)

-  Calm, clear and quiet mind; beginner's mind, no mind, mirror mind

-  Soft eyes...see without seeing - very intuitive, third eye as if opening up a new channel

-  Body/muscle is totally relaxed; There is a sense of effortlessness; no strains felt

-  no ego/self; desirelessness, actionlessness

-  It is as if a new channel opens up by itself from deep within (a new sense of connection)
-  Feeling of all answers are already there (there is no doubt or question any more)

-  Mind and body are felt as one; no boundaries; I am you; I am one with the universe

-  Sense of serenity, peace, arriving/being at home, nothing is missing

-  Wisdom and compassion come naturally; delusions/sufferings/errors are nowhere to find

-  Sense of living truthfully (connection to the Law, the Way); sense of being absolute, imperturbability

-  Sense of Ki (Life energy) manifesting; Blissful sensation spreading over

-  Sense of connection to unconscious/infinite potential (connection of external and internal)

-  Sense of oneness; non-duality

-  Sense of mind and body being 'healthy' and 'genuine'
-  Sense of everything seen as vivid and alive (inside and outside)

-  Sense of love, bliss, and intimacy to all 

-  Sense of time distortion (as if time lost its meaning)

Signs of benefits/awareness:
-  Brain and Heart find a connection
-  Heart to heart  communication between people is possible
-  This deeper level communication may be manifested as wisdom and compassion
-  Paradox of human existence is resolved (in oneness)
-  Bliss in various activities, e.g., work, hobby, relationship, health, and the sense of genuine security in any situation 
-  Discover new meaning of intimacy, e.g., sexual union, non-sexual relationship, Aikido, etc.  The list is infinite.
-  All of these corresponds to "living truthfully"


To sum up, however hard we may feel at times, and however is the thorny bush we may have to go through, the path we are taking as new heroes is precisely for its own good.  It should become more and more self evident as we move on.

50 Cm Problem (Brain and Heart)

The term, "Primary relationship" was used in previous posts to point to the connection to the heart, true self, unconscious, or whatever it may be called.  Here, I would like to give an example of a company and its people who grasped this idea in managing their company.

UBISA is a Spanish company in Burgos producing steel wire products, which won a coveted European Quality Award some 20 years ago.  I consulted this company over decades, sharing the journey aimed at excellence.  Time flies and many people have left the firm by now, but many wonderful memories are with me.  There are less than a handful of companies that I felt so connected at such level and this company (i.e., people) is certainly one of them.  My heart is with "you" and this one slide below signifies the message.

Courtesy: UBISA

Here, they call it a "50 cm problem," signifying the distance between brain and heart.  The Spanish words above translate: "Our purpose is to share our experience to help solve "half meter problem""

They used this slide in a seminar in Madrid where I talked about overall idea and UBISA people joined me to give their story tied to my message.  In my book, "Results from the heart," I wrote;  "They emphasized that it is the heart that is the core... and made their presentation on that theme.... I was quite moved that we identified with something that is very essential in running the mini- company (and company as a whole)."  Further, I wrote, "We all have such connecting moments...  In such moments, we may not directly share feelings verbally, but there is that sparkling light in the eyes and sense of spirit in the air that us beyond expression." (p.185)

I wonder if this experience in Madrid is also connected to the results from the Heart - literally speaking.  Was there our heart and the meaning connected to that, which we shared in our journey at that moment?

Instead of pondering any further, let me just share some quotes:
"Concept without intuition is meaningless.  Intuition without concept is blindness." -  Kant
"Science without religion is meaningless.  Religion without science is lame." - Einstein

After quoting these, my resolution is in the book; [whatever the subject matter is..e.g.,].. science, philosophy or management, mastery is tied to finding the channel to connect brain and heart, thus eliciting an integral or balanced solution. (p.12)

*  Or, this corresponds to what Eckhart Tolle may say, "the alignment to the present moment."

Results from the Heart - You are your Own Master

In my book, Results from the Heart, I proposed the idea of "Mini-Company" where everyone is viewed as the president of his or her own mini-company.  This is an idea pointing to self-management, to become the master of destiny, no matter what the situation we face is.  If we can manage our own mini-company well and prove that to ourselves and others (we form a customer-supplier relationship with each other as we interact in our life) - knowing the process and aim to accomplish the mission, we are on the path of new hero's journey.  Whether in a business setting or in personal life, the idea applies the same.  It is to live well and be happy no matter what situation we may fall into.

But, what is "self" in self-management, anyway?  In its truest sense, it should be the true self - not our ego.  It  is the heart, the divine, the law of the universe, the absolute - beyond human comprehension.  Does this sound too vague or incomprehensible?  Yet, I know we can appreciate such connection once we have experienced that precious moment, the moment of bliss (as we may have had it when we are very young for example).  That is the connection to the primary (true self, heart, etc.).  Yet, knowing is not the same as doing.  We cannot live in the concept, we are to prove in life from moment to moment.

Here are few memories from publishing, "Results from the Heart" (Simon & Schuster):

1)  Foreword from the Dalai Lama; Steven Covey, et. al.
 “I believe we have both the ability and the means to solve our problems and improve the world​.....But we must be careful, for there is also a narrow-minded selfishness that can lead to destruction.....I agree with him (Suzaki) that if we all learned to use the brain but at the same time listen to the heart, we could make our world a happier, more peaceful, and successful place.”  - The Dalai Lama

​

Steven Covey, the author of Seven habits of effective people (over ten million copies sold) said: “Suzaki... teaches  brilliant ideas ...how to connect the mind and the heart in unleashing human potnetial.” 

2)  Picture of front page - man climbing up the stairs
I like the front cover of the book where a man is painting the stairs on his way up to the unknown future.  Although I never contacted the person who came up with this front page, when I saw it, I felt happy that he/she understood the message of the book.  It is to open up your own future.

You are your own master, you make your own future.  Therefore discipline yourself as a horse dealer trains a thoroughbred.  - Dhammapada, XXV.21 (380)

Reference:  FAQ on Mini-company

New Hero and his Primary Relationship

In life, I see there are two major relationships; primary and secondary.  Without primary, secondary is like a mirage, i.e., lost meaning.  Primary is the relationship with True self, Heart, God (if I may use this term), Infinite potential, or the Law- as if to find the source of compassion and wisdom - or happiness and harmony.  Secondary is our relationship we typically talk about in this world.  The symbol of Cross in Christianity seems to symbolize these relationship; one is vertical (Primary) and the other horizontal (Secondary).  Although tricky to discuss, I see primary is more internal, and subjective (spirit/heart/unconscious) while secondary is more external, and objective (mind/brain/conscious).  Many religions around the world seem to point to the same 'place' although their expressions may be different.  (But, no worries, I am not to talk about any religion here.)

Then, over years, I also noticed that mastery of any discipline seems to be, at the end, a lot to do with the Primary whether it is art, sports, science, management or else.  For anyone to attain the level of mastery (i.e., taking care of things with effortless effort - as if it is a divine/magical touch), one needs to look into the depth of one's own self to go beyond greed, fear, anger, ignorance, and delusion - and break through the ego to connect to that primary source - so to speak.  Thus, "know thyself" and mastery are closely related.

Now, if I am to get into a relationship with a woman, seeking ways to find harmony and meaning in creating a life together - bonding with love, I call manifesting such potential, with a term New DNA.  As obvious as it should be, such potential cannot be realized if we are self-centered, or ego driven.  So, any 'genuine' relationship is at the end a relationship with true self, a primary relationship.  This is not just for couples but any type of organizations.  Then, new DNA is like a representation of their mission.

In my book, Results from the Heart, I proposed the idea of "Mini-Company" where everyone is viewed as the president of his or her own mini-company.  Here again, self-centered way does not work as mini-company can exist only when customers are satisfied.  So, mini-company is an idea pointing to self-management, so that we can all become the masters of destiny, no matter what situation we get into.  Then, if we can manage our own mini-company well and prove that to ourselves and others aiming to accomplish the mission, we may find us the master of destiny.  So, self mastery, self-management, and be the master of destiny are all inter-related.

Now, can you guess what is "self" in self-management anyway?  In its truest sense, I see it should be the "true self,"  divine, the law of the universe, or the absolute.  We can appreciate such connection once we have experienced the moment of bliss, miracle, the sense of absolute.  Or this may be like a "zone" experience one may have in intimacy when he or she is in tune with the song of the universe - so to speak, at that special moment.  Such is the connection to the primary.  Yet, knowing this is no use.  We are to prove the connection as if riding a wave from moment to moment.

So, primary is the foundation, and secondary relationship cannot be sustainable without the primary.  In other words, if primary relationship is in danger, we should forgo the secondary.  It is the connection to the heart:

Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, (George Harrison /  Paramahansa Yogananda)

Here, you may ask, how do we find the true self, heart, or God?  At minimum, I suggest that we have a calm and quiet mind.  Without that, our judgement will be flawed, and our behavior and destiny will reflect that.  In summary, new hero's need to have a good antenna to detect what is going on externally as well as to be able to sense the connection with heart, internally - at the same time.  After all, everything is (to be) connected to the base/heart, where wisdom and compassion originates.  Yes, this is ideal but my view is that our whole existence is to be connected to that, and to do that in everything in life is the New Hero's Journey.

Everything comes from that...

What I found fascinating is the same basic "principle" applies in psychology/hypnosis/therapy, Shop floor management/Lean/Toyota Production System, mini-company/master of destiny/creativity, brain development/biology, quantum physics/meditation, human relationship, path of spirituality/Way, and of course New Hero's Journey.


What I mean is the following symptom exists in all of those above:
- Attention to detail (concept often create barriers to see what is actually going on)
- Continuous improvement (Once the insight is gained, energy may build up for further advancement)
- Awareness and response (Quantum physics; observer is the observed)
- Small gets big, as energy flows, and life expresses itself on its own, given the setting - as a tree grows (everything is an expression of energy, dead or alive)
- Calm and quiet mind (awareness and equanimity) is the base/key (what is behind/unseen is compassion/love/absolute)

And what does that mean?

Saint-Exupéry says in Little Prince:

 "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. . ."

By the way, in 1939, Saint-Exupéry wrote, “Don’t you understand that somewhere along the way we have gone astray? . . . we lack something essential, which we find it difficult to describe. We feel less human; somewhere we have lost our mysterious prerogatives.” 



What is then the essence of such a principle (Law of universe, dhamma/dharma)?
I believe that is LIFE or Heart being the primary and us humans are to see it functioning in whatever we do, and be able to guide our action along with such path/law.  This is insight/wisdom all supported by Compassion - love of God (if I use that word).   Of course this is incomprehensible to the brain!  And there we find the human tragedy and all variations of the drama.


So as human, we come out of that source/primary (eating apple and chased out of the garden of Eden) yet to redirect us (through the eye of needle or gateless gate) to be connected to that, and express whatever makes sense according to the law (insight) and witness the marvel all in and around us with appreciation that we are one, connected with that.


In Zen, the expression pointing to this is:
All laws go back to one. (i.e., the principle, law)
Where does that one go?
A cloth weighing few pounds (Back to the manifested world; appreciate what we have such as warm cloth)


==


References (out of many):
- Milton Erickson* p198, 202 (relates to therapy/hypnosis) "My voice will go with you"
- My dialogue with Ohno of Toyota (known as Father of Toyota Production System)
- Experiences from Zen, vipassana meditation, etc.
- Three of my books (New Manufacturing Challenge, New shop floor management, Results from the Heart)


*  Erickson says: "Speak in the patient's language" "Join the patient" whereas I have said,"Speak the language of shop floor/customer" "Understand their world (for anyone to be effective to communicate - from the heart"  This is the same as, "become one with the problem" to go beyond the impasse, any insurmountable problem in life.  (Koan in Zen)