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Experiencing ourselves as ordinary and holy is one way to not get caught by either being consumed by the world or turning away from it.

Reading is a great and surprising learning affair. It was the 13th century Zen teacher Dogen, who taught that to “Study The Way” is to “study yourself and go beyond yourself.” Reading, for me, is a concrete practice and way of learning more about myself and to expand my world, open my mind and heart to new ways of seeing, thinking, and living.

It’s important to train ourselves to work through whatever challenges and ordeals help us to keep our hearts open, even, and especially when, doing so is hard. It’s all in the approach. It’s all impossible, easy, and sacred when we pay attention.

At work, regardless of your role, and at home with your family, the point is to try to enjoy what you do. Enjoy how you can have a positive influence. Enjoy your life – even when things are really challenging and messed up.

There is a talk in Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, called No Trace, where he says, “when you do something, you should do it with your whole body and mind…You should do it completely, like a good bonfire. You should not be a smokey fire.”

Many of us have theories of change and development that often remain somewhat hidden and unconscious. In what ways can meditation and our own theory of change provide a framework for personal growth, goal setting, and self improvement?