What Is Reality After All? Nothing But A Collective Hunch

In this issue:

What Is Reality After all?Zen of Coaching: Course for Executive CoachesA Poem. Accepting This, by Mark NepoHalf Day Meditation Retreat, October 12thCoaching In Complexity, Paradox, and Insight: A Free Webinar, October 10th

What Is Reality After all? Nothing But A Collective Hunch!

This is one of the more memorable (at least to me) lines from In Search Of Intelligent Life In The Universe, a play by Jane Wagner, originally starring Lily Tomlin.

I think of mindfulness practice and business practice as deep aspirations to understand and engage with what is real: How we live with the realities of pain and pleasure, change and impermanence, and of self and selflessness, as ways to reduce confusion and live from a place of more wisdom and compassion.

For example, I’ve been studying these two statements by Shunryu Suzuki from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind:

1) “Every existence in nature, every existence in the human world, every cultural work that we create is something which was given, or is being given to us…”

This is one of those simple, yet profound assertions about what is real. Imagine taking this in and living from this awareness — the reality that everything is a gift – our bodies and minds, the air we breathe…everything… It is more difficult to be grumpy, to complain, to feel a sense of scarcity.

Then, Shunryu Suzuki goes on to say:

2) “But as everything is originally one, we are, in actuality, giving out everything. Moment after moment we are creating something, and this is the joy of our life.”

This is an enormous “but” — “as everything is originally one” — again, another unsubtle, profound description of reality – that from a certain perspective (the perspective of reality?) there is no separation and no distinctions. There is a sense (a reality) that we and everything come from the same source. And, that all our actions are acts of creativity.

This may seem heady and philosophical. It might be a collective hunch, or a rather precise and profound description of reality.

I don’t see much downside to trying on these assertions that everything is a gift and that everything we do is an act of creation. Perhaps a collective hunch. Perhaps also profound Zen teaching, mindfulness teaching, and insight, with applications to our well being, relationships, and work.

Practices

Try on: Everything is given to us. What does this feel like to think, feel, and live from the perspective that everything is a gift?

And, try on, everything we do is an act of creation, that all our actions are gifts.

Zen of Coaching: For Executive Coaches: Transforming Others, Becoming Your Best Self, Changing The World (Register now, by October 10th to save $100.)

An online course, beginning October 24th

Coaching is a way of helping others find the deepest places of their hearts.

Program Overview

Zen of Coaching is a transformational program for executive coaches and leaders who want to deepen their presence, expand their impact, and build a coaching practice rooted in wisdom, not just performance. Blending Zen principles, mindfulness, and real-world leadership experience, this course—created by Marc Lesser, the Zen teacher and CEO who helped bring mindful leadership to Google—supports you in cultivating stillness, navigating complexity, and coaching with greater authenticity, clarity, and purpose.

To register and for more information.

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A Poem

Accepting This, Mark Neppo

Yes, it is true. I confess,
I have thought great thoughts,
and sung great songs—all of it
rehearsal for the majesty
of being held.

The dream is awakened
when thinking I love you
and life begins
when saying I love you
and joy moves like blood
when embracing others with love.

My efforts now turn
from trying to outrun suffering
to accepting love wherever
I can find it.

Stripped of causes and plans
and things to strive for,
I have discovered everything
I could need or ask for
is right here—
in flawed abundance.

We cannot eliminate hunger,
but we can feed each other.
We cannot eliminate loneliness,
but we can hold each other.
We cannot eliminate pain,
but we can live a life
of compassion.

Ultimately,
we are small living things
awakened in the stream,
not gods who carve out rivers.

Like human fish,
we are asked to experience
meaning in the life that moves
through the gill of our heart.

There is nothing to do
and nowhere to go.
Accepting this,
we can do everything
and go anywhere.

Half Day Meditation Retreat, Sunday, October 12th

In person, in Mill Valley, and online.

In our world of busyness, of more/faster/better, this half-day retreat offers time to stop, reflect, and renew. We will explore the practices of effort and effortless as a path to well-being and “stepping into your life.” Together we’ll follow a gentle schedule of sitting and walking meditation, a talk, and some discussion. Anyone looking to begin or deepen a meditation and mindfulness practice is invited to attend.

Coaching In Complexity: Paradox and Insight: A FREE WEBINAR

Friday, October 10th, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PT

This free webinar is an opportunity to explore how to coach with more presence, curiosity, and trust — even when things feel complex or unresolved. We’ll explore how paradox can become a doorway to insight, and how to meet complexity not with fear, but with grounded awareness.

Register here.

Warmest regards,

Marc

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