As a human being, one has been endowed with just enough intelligence to be able to see clearly how utterly inadequate that intelligence is when confronted with what exists.

I sometimes say, when I meet a sharp younger person, “If I knew what I know now, at your age, by now I’d be king. All of us have the desire to know more and have made so many blunders. So why not learn from my mistakes and the errors of others. Or, you can live a few lifetimes and take all the missteps yourself. Can you afford it?

Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation for success.

Use the experience to go forward having learned what not to do again. Do not be disheartened by occasional mistakes or failures. Turn the next similar situation around by not repeating the incorrect act or decision. Do not dwell one moment on your past mistakes. All flowers need manure. Satoru

Implementation is everything and objectives means nothing unless they are transformed into action.

Your fortune, however, difficult to achieve, is there. The trick is to recognize it. It comes sporadically and in forms that are disguised. But most of all it comes to you in opportunities that are few and far between, sandwiched within an infinity of plausible futures. We look at the opportunity and see only the present. You must observe the chance and see the seeds of the future. If you are to succeed, waiting for ideal conditions or a situation is rarely an option. Good opportunities never last long and usually require a change in your thinking and actions. Usually, you have just one chance and if you do not take advantage of that moment in time the possibility is forever lost. Satoru

Zen Buddhism bridges the gap between religion and science.

Buddhists strive to obtain the end to the cycle of continual reincarnation that produces endless existence. Like a drop of water returning to the ocean, obtaining Nirvana allows one to directly perceive reality and produces an awakening that connects the Buddhist to all things in the universe. Buddhism like all religions is a closed system of beliefs.

Zen Buddhism is more like science, a philosophy of research and experimentation into possibilities toward a more enlightened existence. Religion is based on tradition and faith. Science is based on doubt, proof, and future concepts. The difference between philosophy and religion is that philosophy is questioning and religion is answering.

What if what you believe you know is not true?

Satoru

Satoru,
I am a policeman and work for the city. Some of my fellow police officers I work with are very irritating; barely do their jobs, continually talk on their cell phones, take no initiative yet constantly complain. When we witness vehicular law infractions, instead of doing something, they say, “Well it’s New York.” How should a Zen Buddhists handle this situation?

You do not proselytize; they will teach you patience. You cannot change them by words, only by your deeds, and you cannot save anyone or arrest all the stupid petty lawbreakers. Although, you can warn them and give out summonses. With the level of incompetence, that is permeating the world, at an accelerating rate, “trust” will take on a new meaning. You cannot counteract this ineffectiveness and stupidity. You can only do your best to set an example and always take full responsibility for your actions. Incompetent people will always have an excuse for their ineptitude, which in reality is just a well-planned lie.