THE MASTER'S ATTITUDE

A simple action, although it may seem insignificant at the time, can make a great difference. It can determine success or failure.

A chess master knows this. He or she may move a pawn just one square forward and change a game's outcome. An unsuspecting novice may not realize the significance of such a simple move until several moves later. But the chess master knows what the novice may not -- that if the proper counter move is not immediately made, the master has already won; it's just a matter of playing out the remaining moves until the novice realizes it. (You may have had this kind of experience as a child as you mastered the game of tic tac toe.)

The same applies in life. A simple act can turn out to be a crucial turning point setting off a chain of events having great consequences. For example, an instance of thoughtful action can initiate the unfolding of a great friendship, career, or love relationship. And likewise, a single callous act can set the reverse in motion. Success or failure often hangs in the balance of a single act.

Every master knows this and therefore will always conscientiously make their best effort -- no matter how basic or mundane the task. This is the norm for masters, producing excellent results and great satisfaction in almost everything they do. In Zen this is called 'right action'.

It's wise to adopt this attitude. Once you make it your norm, like compounded interest, you'll realize a great stream of positive returns and a much better life.

Goodness and joy to all, Joseph.

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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND!

Do you have control of your mind? Does it take you places you never intended to go? ... like in the following case:

"Must do my errands ... now where'd I put keys? ... not on hall table ... how'd that book get there? ... thought I put it back ... did my roommate do it? ... hate when people mess with my things ... damn! ... got to say something ... wish I had my own place ... can't afford it ... need a raise ... better job ... hate my boss ... always on my back ... glad tomorrow's Friday ... got to fix resume ... find a better job ... keys not by TV ... wonder what's on ... (CLICK) ... stock market ... ugh! ... change channel ... what's this? ... old movie ... I need to sit ... its the Marx bothers ... I remember this funny movie ... (smile) ... Sis hated Groucho ... never understood why ... this part is great! ... (a giggle)... Groucho is great ... so talented, rich, famous, smart ... loved by everyone ... wish I was loved like that ... but no luck dating ... need to do something special ... maybe write a book ... get one good idea and make a fortune ... look at Groucho roll his eyes ... so alive and mischievous ... what a spirit ... wish I could be alive like that ... oh, here comes Harpo ... and the funniest part ... (a giggle, then eighty minutes later) ... movie over ... what time is it? ... getting too late for errands ... there's the keys ... on trunk ... too late now ... might rain ... oh well, maybe tomorrow ... what else is on TV?"

The mind is often like a pinball, bouncing around erratically without purposeful direction (as the above illustrates). But we can take control of it by monitoring our thoughts and choosing which to follow and which to say NO to. Don't let random or reactive thoughts misdirect you. To live more successfully, practice noticing when your mind is meandering. Then refocus it and get it back on track.

Goodness and joy to all, Joseph.

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STAGES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

The following outlines consciousness stages from birth; at the seventh stage, we gain higher mental functioning and a more satisfying life.

One: the infant brain registers sensory experience as random electrical patterns of brain activity.

Two: as similar brain patterns are repeated, ideas, associations and memories become formed and thinking capacity increases.

Three: as thinking capacity and interaction with others increase, language develops and becomes the dominant means for understanding and communicating reality.

Four: as the brain reaches an adult capacity, a language-based personal set of biases become established as one’s normal state of consciousness.

Five: once established they become the basis for automatically and subconsciously responding, undermining true conscious choice and free will.

Six: if and when we begin to recognize this normal limitation, a special effort of self-awareness may be made to bring consciousness to another, freer level.

Seven: as this is achieved, we may live at a more conscious, creative and satisfying level.

At each progressive stage of mental development, the ability to satisfactorily interact with others and the environment increases. It’s by reaching the sixth and seventh stages that we fulfill our human potential for living our best.

Goodness and joy to all, Joseph.

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