Your life becomes what you imagine your life to be

Picasso said, "People don't realize what they have when they own a picture by me. Each picture is a phial with my blood. That is what has gone into it."  I find his painting as the manifestation of his life.   If so, I wonder if this blog may be the manifestation of my (image of) life.  Or, in a broader sense: one's life becomes the manifestation of the image of oneself...  with other areas of manifestation being work, hobby, relationship, health, finance and living truthfully (see Life Profile)  Since we are living beings, our life may be seen as a creative process of coming up with a New DNA (LIFE) by combining different elements (or seeds, ideas, images) and for that to grow.

Going through various experiences in my life brings a seed/insight for my blog.  More ideas pop up and writing this blog can become a manifestation of creative process, i.e., my life.  If one wonders how various topics are integrated as a whole, I see they are like a tree growing with various branches and leaves, all contributing to the growth, yet somehow balanced as a whole.  In other words, this blog is like a canvas to exhibit my paintings (experiences of life = creative process), manifesting my image of  LIFE!  

BTW, I met few people who are expressing their talents to create an image or vision for clients as well as for themselves.  One lady is doing a business of creating an image for clients such as actors or business man through matching clothes, appearances, values, etc.  Another lady is counseling individuals to overcome life's hurdles as therapist with the heart at the center.  One man is an instructor of Aikido to instruct the Ki (life energy) to manifest in students'daily life with compassion at the base.  Another is a man involved in making deals to transform companies, through mergers and acquisitions, which ultimately may develop better flow of life energy, providing better life experiences, if this is done right.

So, as much as I write this blog and try to live life truthfully from the heart, there are quite a few new heroes - who strive to manifest their image or dream in what they do.

If our image may become reality, let me revisit what the Dalai Lama said in his foreword to my book, Results from the Heart:

"As human beings, the one factor that differentiates us from other species is our intelligence which both expresses itself and trains itself through education.  However, the development of the brain, the intellectual side of our nature, and the development of a good heart, a warm heart, must complement each other in a more balanced way.  This is why, wherever I go, I always try to promote human values, the good qualities of the human mind, the good qualities of human beings.  They are the source of happiness, and happiness is ultimately what each of us wants.

I believe we have both the ability and the means to solve our problems and improve our world.  Perhaps the most important factors that inhibit us are short-sightedness, narrow-mindedness, and selfishness.  Yet, to look after yourself is not wrong.  Without a strong sense of self we cannot develop self-confidence, determination and will power.  But, we must be careful, for there is also a narrow -minded selfishness that can lead to self destruction.  To counter that we have to realize that in reality our own interest is closely linked to the interests of others and the benefit, happiness and interests of others are our own."

As new heroes, we are to confirm the core value, live by core principle - perhaps to create new DNA (LIFE) to express compassion and wisdom, while utilizing our talent, helping each other as well as being the master of our own desitiny.  To me, this journey is as if I am to re-invent myself as I move on and face and overcome hurdles and difficulties one step at a time.  The real test is in LIFE itself.

Reflecting back, I was a kid aspiring to be like Thomas Edison, later I wanted to become an engineer to contribute my talent to the society. Then, I found myself as an nucelar safety analyst for Fukushima plant for few years.  Later, I got an MBA to expand my skill base, and satisfy my curiosity.  Working as consultant to develop corporate strategy, and operational improvement for companies, I also honed my skill to address human psychology to find a path for organizational transformation.  Years of my Zen practice and mediation have helped a great deal for me to maintain calm and quiet mind under difficulties.  Yet, there is no complacency to be had as life brings various traps we can easily fall into.

So, there are always new challenges to be met and new images to be created as I moved on in this journey.  As I turn the corner, there are more new difficulties or opportunities waiting.  The front page of my book points the image of what this journey is about, where a man is painting a stairs as he move up the stairs he painted previously...  (Note: I did not know there was someone who came up with such a great idea and put it on the front page of my book!!!)

Yes, image may manifest on its own - if we let it.  Here are my words from Results form the Heart (p.164):

"Wherever we are and whatever our past, we can paint on the canvas of our universe the total existence  of our life and see how it may unfold.  And in this journey of our life, may we hear our heart continue to whisper, "When we give up, that is when we fail.  If we do not give up, there is no failure."

In life, just like painting, I have an image, and as I paint... more ideas may flow...as if many things want to be expressed in their own unique way, expressing who they really are...

One of my paintings 

A CEO in Japan, Hikoji Suzuki said, "Jinsei ha ime-ji zoukei nari"

My translation is:

- Life is an image creation (direct literal translation)

- Life is the form created by our own imagination

- Our life becomes the manifestation of what our our image of life

May you let your life to be the manifestation of your imagination?!

Life is the manifestation of your image (My Calligraphy)

Funny, but a talk with a person on "life is image creation" brought an idea for me to write this post.  To me, such encounter (exchange of image-potential) is as if to confirm the spark in life and be able to share with someone or anyone while keep exploring the joy in our adventure in what we call this thing as LIFE.

Living truthfully..is my image re: my life!! I have been working on this since my awakening experience in 2,000.  This is the same as Tao, or following the law of nature (or, live according to God's order).... and to do that is the New Hero's Journey.

To end this post, I would like to offer few more quotes:

"Imagination is power" (Einstein)

“When the answer is simple, God is speaking.” (Einstein)

"He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law." (Picasso)

"As he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 25:7)

Best wishes on your journey,
Kio

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.

Art, Life and True Love

Here is an e-mail correspondence with my Aikido friend - first about Art and then what I call "True love," or primary relationship, the connection I discussed in the previous post:

==
(From Laura)

I have been sculpting for 2or 3 years now.
Well, aikido is a martial ART, is it not? A movement art.
So what does being artful mean? To me it means staying in the
moment and allowing  your experience of subtle dimensions to take shape in physical form.
To describe peace or beauty in form or action. To act from the void, see how it comes through you.
A lot of people call personal expression art, describing neurosis (Throwing up on a canvas)
and expecting the viewer to appreciate you for your creativity!! I don't call that art. Art is to teach!
To have the viewer (or experiencer) appreciate something beyond himself.
So aikido is a movement art. We try to stay centered and open to peace coming through KI
(energy) and guiding our actions, so that the viewer or partner, is changed by joining with you in the interaction.
Form follows energy which follows thought. The creation of anything comes from the idea or vision forming
the blueprint for the next denser dimension of energy (behavior,action, ki) to move and the densest form
rides or takes the shape of the action.

Here is another movement art I am involved in. You're going to laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CivLRIbpo

==

Well.. if so,,,, we can say that our life is itself an art, right?  Of
course!! You will agree!!!!

Yet, may I hear your view on LIFE if I may?

==
(From Laura)

Oh boy! Don't get me started!  Of course life is an artistic event.
I am the medium. WHO IS THE ARTIST?

I don't have time for writing poetry. I play cello and garden also.
I told E that, If I beg for cooking lessons, to tell me NO.

I do love poetry. My favorite poet is Rumi:

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened.
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down 
a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth.



I would love to kiss you.
The price of kissing is your life!
Now my love is running toward my life shouting,
What a bargain, let's buy it!


May I hear some of your poetry?

An Image of Art, Life, and True Love - i.e., New Hero's Journey

Oh Luara...Don't get me started....

I wrote many... but before that,  let me tell you my most favorite of all, Kabir - 17

http://www.oocities.org/capecanaveral/campus/4178/kabir17.html

and well....Here is one I wrote re: True Love

True Love

True love is unconditional

and accept everything as is

While in meditation, I re-discovered this unconditional love

and re-witnessed its miracle

When I meditate

simply observing what is going on...

there is that sensation in me that responds to my observation

Everywhere I observe, my body cells are happily jumping right then and there...

as if given an encouragement to play like children...

they are genuinely happy as they are

This is a joy of being touched by love... true love...

at the molecular levels, yet it extends to the end of the universe

In that sensation, I realize...

love is found and realized in total acceptance of what is happening

but, not like we may think of love...

as in the conventional manner

As we accept everything as it is and we are in tune with it...

everywhere, and unconditionally, love is prevailing

because it is simply a happening of absolute

Thy will be done.

We witness this as we meditate...

or whenever our mind is still

That sensation/power is universal

you, me and everyone, everywhere

When we witness that happening...

we realize that we are the Life itself –  fully alive!

and True Love is also realized...

as the foundation of life

With its compassionate and creative energy...

love heals everything, and create anew

Being one with Love

we realize that there is no single error in us

Floating in the swell of love,

we witness all sufferings and scars disappear!

In that sweet power of love,

nothing can resist but to surrender

And, as we surrender to love,

Love takes over

Ego is broken,

and the burdens we have carried explodes into a mist of speckles...

We see everything is connected, and melt into one, the absolute unity...

No duality, no good/bad, right/wrong, you/me, any more

Why?

Because it is as it is when love/absolute prevails as it should

How ridiculous, the mind may speak...

but, in that intimacy, such voice has no place to be!

So, you, me, the lucky ones...

simply float in that infinite swell of love, and witness the magic

being played out

Enjoy the taste of nectar called love

heal all the wounds, and be reborn as this magic takes over

--

When we realize True Love

All words lose their meaning, yet there is nothing missing any more!

After the healing and rebirth...

there is continued healing and rebirth...

--

Note: So, within what we think is love (called here as bilateral/horizontal

connection) is this True Love ready to emanate when the connection is

made in each individual.  Once, this is found, tested, and confirmed,

the sparks generated there may be found as most genuine - incomparable

to none.

This is the world of nirvana realized in the awakening of true love.

Yet, since we are as we are as humans, dusts accumulate and the

connection to the source may be weakened or lost.  So, the travelers

of life, be aware, find the right path, confirm the foundation, and

let True Love prevail!

==

(Note on Aikido terms:

-  uke: attacker with aggression

-  nage: one responding with aiki (do) - way of nature to harmonize all... with compassion)

==

Oh well done!

I should say well carried through, right?

I understand the difference between human love and divine love to be the absence or presence of a sense of separation from home.

Divine love being unity with the void, knowing where home is so securely that it overflows

in gratitude and love of life. Human love being a desperate grasping to be loved from another

because we feel separate from our source.Thus the human drama, the source of most of the

stories and movies and songs in pop culture.

The way we move and interact on the aikido mat is a moving meditation.

Since we are always filled with love, abundance and possibility, when we move in an

open full manner, every cell expressing confidence, higher power, KI, it feels like FLOATING..

When, as nage, we doubt the presence of ki, we squeeze for personal power, using our upper body and arms to manipulate uke.  When uke is treated like this, he has to defend himself with his own personal power, it ignites a fight. When the KI inside nage touches the KI inside uke, there is no separation. Only a sense of freedom.

Oh! Something natural is happening! It awakens uke to the source of power present throughout his whole body.

We're teaching as we touch and interact. Life long study! Same in any true art. Is there anything better to do in life?

                                        Your friend,

                                                 Laura