May 25, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Episode 64 : Power
Like it or not, we live in a world of high and low, have and have-nots, powerful and weak. How does a Buddhist navigate this swamp and not get screwed?
Links mentioned:
- The 48 Laws of Power, as compiled by Robert Greene and Joost Elfers.
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Posted by Brent
May 25, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Thanks for talking about this. I own this book and find it sadly true. I am currently wrestling with whether or not I can practice buddhism and continue working in my cut-throat, highly political work environment.
I identify with both of you; like Patrick, I don’t want to play this game and feel it is antithetical to buddhism. But, like Gwen, I have seen that practicing these rules seems to be a necessity, if you choose to work in such an environment. You’re in the game regardless of whether or not you decide to play.
It is my belief that power, like money, is just a tool and the intention with which you use that tool determines your path.
My hope is that we can all build successful businesses and support ourselves with honesty and integrity.
Also, kind of funny that I listen to this podcast while I work out with my resistance bands! (Thanks for the tip on those, Patrick!)
Posted by admin
May 25, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
Ha, it kind of freaks me out that in this podcast I talk about listening to podcasts while working out and you were listening to me talk about that while working out.
Kind of like those pictures where someone’s looking at a newspaper that has a picture of that person looking at a newspaper that has a picture of that person looking at a newspaper that…. ugh, my head hurts now and I need a nap.
Patrick
Posted by Andrew
May 29, 2008 @ 1:28 am
Isn’t the ultimate purpose of Zen or Buddhism to bring us happiness? Is power inherently a bad thing? Maybe a better question to ask is, will power bring us happiness?
It might be helpful to read the teachings about right livelihood. I know when I was waiting tables and serving beer and wine that it was not in line with that ideal. I was serving people an intoxicant. It’s the whole killing the cow for steak, or having the butcher kill it for you. Your still going to eat the meat, but you didn’t partake in the killing of the animal. There are different Karmic consequences for both. I know they would get there booze if I wasn’t there to serve it, but having a job that sells people a drink that creates a mind that is less conscious left me feeling a little guilty.
http://www.enotalone.com/article/6031.html
The Psychology of Right Livelihood
Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow the link above is a great read….and heres two others is you have some free time….
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-ajivo/index.html
Monks live a life that is simple and gives them the best opportunity to live a right livelihood. Actually they don’t have jobs….they only take what is given. But the reality is we are not monks. We live in the so called “real world”. We have bills to pay. Its good to ask ourselves these questions. It brings out our true intentions. Thanks for the podcast guys. Its interesting listening to you two talk . Its like eavesdropping on a phone conversation between two good friends. Most of the time you seem to be working out your own thoughts and problems. Thats a good thing. Its not like a structured NPR fresh air. Its just two people talking about life, Zen and how stupid it all is…lol Thanks again for the Podcast…
Drew
Posted by Andrew
May 29, 2008 @ 1:29 am
the last link….forgot to post it in the last comment
http://www.dhammatalks.org/
Thanissaro Bhikkhu is a great teacher.
Posted by Brent
June 5, 2008 @ 8:49 am
Yeah, I highly recommend Thich Nhat Hanh’s “The Art of Power.” I’m reading it now, and it’s illuminating so much that I’ve been trying to work out for years.
Personally, I sought power so I could have creative control over my work. Power for freedom, if you will. But as Hanh says, “Power is good for one thing only: to increase our happiness and the happiness of others. Being peaceful and happy is the most important thing in our lives and yet most of the time we suffer, we run after our cravings, we look to the past or the future for our happiness.”
I think Gwen would especially enjoy this book. Pick it up, or I can send you mine when I’m finished!
Posted by admin
June 5, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Brent, thanks for recommending it! That sounds like something I need to read pronto. I’ll plan to pick it up. May make good airport reading…G
Posted by Brett
May 27, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
I’m with Patrick. I think we can do better than this. Just because one way already exists and it sucks, that doesn’t mean we have to put up with it. Slavery and other terrible things were considered the norm for a long time. Ghandi used “non-cooperation” to put a halt to bad behavior. He was a great example of standing up to the norm and making big changes.
We should start a new movement. The honesty movement or something like that. I noticed that whenever I do “the right thing” all day long, my day gets better and better.