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

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.

Have Fun and Express Who We Are

I see playfulness, open mindedness, curiosity, following the bliss, intuition, creativity and wisdom are all related to each other.  Then, our hobby offers such a quality especially when we do not put emphasis on time or results.  If we are playful, we simply follow the bliss.  And, I hear in my heart that I should live like children in the sandbox.  Also, my intuition tells me that happy state of being is in tune with the songs of the nature and everything we do in living life can be seen in this fashion.  This is what I believe Confucius meant by saying: "at age 70, I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the boundaries of law."

What I also found profound is that even swordsmanship where life and death are at stake, this liveliness and playfulness can exist (at least many writings of masters of Zen and swordsmanship and my humble experience in Aikido indicate that).  So, from casual hobby of playing tennis (however, there is a moment when I put my 110%), to championship in golf, to management to swordsmanship, I see there is something in common as if finding creativity, liveliness and even love and compassion even in the extremity such as facing death.  I believe such experience leads to this saying when we break through the conventional wisdom: Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

Of course this is a paradox.  Playfulness and creativity while facing death - or never losing smile at any instance!  Or perhaps we may find that because of the state of extremity, we finally realize creativity, source of our existence, life energy, heart, love or compassion, etc. in its true sense - not any more in words or concept.  And such experience is what I like to call, the connection to the source so that our life is expressed in its most genuine manner!  There, we may find comfort and happiness in any situation we face, thus transcending the paradox.  The idea is not so much about the form of how we live, but whether or not we connect to the essence, which is invisible but essential to be truly and genuinely alive.

In hobby, we have light-hearted attitude.  Also, if we do what we like to do, there is more energy flows and liveliness felt - again when we follow the bliss.  When my son was about 17, I gave him my last advice, "Do what you like to do, and if that is to contribute to the society, perhaps you find a way to live while having fun. "

After all, don't you agree that quality at the source or heart, which everybody has, is utmost important?  And if or when we lose that connection, guess what?  You know the answer.  I sense a definite limit in our tendency toward instant gratification that I see more common these days.  We want to live truthfully.  I believe such is the path for our New Hero to take.

Good day, good journey,
Kiyoshi Suzaki