****Update in My Life****

(5/04/04)

I went through my seventh fly-fishing trip to New Zealand in Jan-Feb. Hard to believe that it was already the seventh before I knew it! Anyway, I spent six weeks this time, covering wider area than typical four weeks trip I did in the past. Unfortunately, there was much more rain and wind this time. So, the fishing was not as good. When I was in the hut in the rain, however, I came up with an idea of writing a book on this experience, adding to more thoughts to the trip journal I was already writing.

I have just finished the book, with the title of: Going with the Wind. The book is in Japanese with the subtitle of Zen, New Zealand, Fishing, Nature. It is about my experience in New Zealand tied with the thoughts of Zen, my life, etc. While I am still editing this, and doing more touch up job, it is almost ready to send to prospective publishers in Japan- if any, we will see.

The other thing I found recently, that is interesting to me, is that as I have reduced the presence in English internet sites, and explored more Japanese sites, I have found the uniqueness of what has been developed in the Japanese culture. Because the west is still relatively new to Zen, it became clear to me that many accumulated expressions in Japan has a subtle connection to Zen. This is embedded in the culture for me to feel at ease - for obvious reason. (-perhaps tied to my aging process?!)

In my work and family front, things are flowing without big surprise. Kenji is happy at the St. George's way of life except for its weather. I started to engage myself with a company in Houston, which has a tie to India. Also, I play tennis more often these days. It is getting warm here. Birds are busy chirping. Except for special occasions, I seldom go out of my neighborhood to such a degree that my car battery may need a replacement.

If I say one thing that I like, it is to find my life resonating with nature, the universe, the birds, stars, moon, and all. Good day, good life, good journey to all!!!

Kio

****Update in My Life****

(12/24/03)

Time passes, yet it also appears to be constant for some reason. Perhaps the quietude in my life makes me sense it that way. On this Christmas day, as I write this, whether it is busy or not outside, my mind is quiet. Perhaps, listening to Bach in the background helps to promote such a state of mind. If the time is constant, it does not exist, nor irrelevant, it is of no use of reflection. Yet, the ability to reflect exists in our mind as we learn to understand it. So, let my mind speak reflecting on this thing called life.

The main stream of my life is Zen as it continues to flow, as a prominent current of this universe. Some leaves floating in this stream, so to speak, are: my annual trip to New Zealand for fishing and backpacking, my son's departure to his St. George's boarding School, the sale of our Glebe house in Ireland, which we owned for perhaps a dozen years, and my management consulting work with some trips to Europe and parts of the U.S.

My involvement in Japanese internet was another event that I discovered last summer. I write in five topical subjects of Daisetz Suzuki, Meditation, Myokonin, Mechanism of Creativity, and the relaxed world of poems and Haikus. After four or five years of Net-related activities in English sites, this opened a new way to put thoughts together ・all five subjects interrelated in some ways or the other. Discovery of new approach and new acquaintances makes the journey interesting.

I keep referring to old books for clarification while continuing my journey. It often creates a sense like, the truth was there before while I simply passed by it. Daisetz Suzuki once said, it is interesting to understand more as you get old. One should live long to have such a taste.・ Wondrous act, Jp. Myoyuu, of life that is he is referring to. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Good day, good life!

Good day, good life, good journey to all!!!

Kio

****Update in My Life****

(11/14/03)

From September, Kenji went to the St. George's School (boarding school) in Rhode Island (at his 9th grade). After hearing that he was very happy there, we visited in October at the Parents・day to see how he is doing. One hiccup was that he and other kids got into the trouble when they went to the girl's dorm without seeking for permission (the dorm parents were not there then), and one boy and two girls suspended (one more violation like this, they will be kicked out of the school). It sounds that Kenji sweated a lot over this event but at the end, he received just a warning. A good lesson to him.

I was in Belgium and Spain for consulting and seminar prior to this visit. Meeting friends of fifteen years, Javier and Luis, to discuss the business and its future was interesting as usual. Especially interesting was the subject of innovation. I plan to follow up to possibly conduct a seminar on this subject. This is tied with the mechanism of inspiration I am very much interested in. (Perhaps, I may be able to tie the idea of the white book finally.)

Right after these travel, I attended my fourth 10-day vipassana meditation course at California vipassana center. (The report posted in my home page.) My activity in Japanese internet is still proceeding. Through the net, I met few people including a Zen master, Kido Inoue. Later, I had an interesting initial conversation. (I may arrange a trip to Japan to see him, possibly next year.)

Zen has been an interest of mine for long years. However, after intensively spending three to four years in this journey, and having various awakening experiences and learning, I start to feel that I am getting ready to do more work in the (business) world. That is, I would like to help addressing the basic human needs through business (or any other means). After all, one of the main reasons for me to come to the U.S. was inspired by Tom Peters comments in his book, In Search of Excellence, some 20+ years ago, People ・at GM - were not asked to make any suggestion at work. Any.・

Expressing our talent is an eternal question given to us. We are to find the strategy to express who we are. I am very sure that Daisetz was working on this path. Similarly, I would like to see what I might be able to do, given whatever I may have.

Good day, good life, good journey to all!!!

****Update in My Life****

(8/04/03)

My wife thinks I do nothing, and she has a point. My life is as simple as it can be - almost. TV is out of the question. I go for a walk twice a day, do gardening, and study and share ideas on the net. My recent files posted include: Behavioral aspects of awakening, Abhidharma, Nagarjuna, Kegon/Avatamsaka sutra, and Wittgenstein. I also wrote an imaginary dialogue between Picasso and myself on Zen.

Funny thing is, living like this is almost like having sex continuously. It is as if directly touching life. Throwing away everything, especially my ego and useless mind habit, is in fact touching the infinite wisdom and love! More I throw away, the better it gets. When the wind chime rings, my body and mind resonate. When I eat orange, my body is covered with blissful sensation. When I read avatamsaka sutra, it is as if all cells of my body are vibrating in total agreement. Nothing is blocking to find wisdom, compassion and the wonders of life.

Well, I should stop writing like this and wash my face to live in the real world, shouldn't I? In June, Kenji graduated from the middle school. He went to Idaho for backpacking trip with the boy scout in July. Then, he and my wife left for Ireland for three weeks while I am staying alone. But wait! I hear the crickets singing their heavenly song as if it is coming from the eternity. And watch! Over the edge of the mountain is the young moon shining to present a mysterious silhouette in silence.

Good day, good life!

Kio

****Update in My Life****

(4/20/03)

This spring, I went to New Zealand’s south island for fishing for the sixth time. I met friends, fished 23 days, camped a lot, and enjoyed the time in the wilderness. Living in a simple life with bare minimum of amenity but in the middle of nature was quite refreshing. Yet, I realize that it is our choice. Reflecting on this trip, a trip report is posted at my home page.

In early April, we as a family went to the East Coast to visit the boarding schools in order to choose one for Kenji to attend this fall. Having a difficult time to choose one out of four, which was by itself a good position to be in, we decided that he goes to St. George’s school in New Port, Rhode Island. Famous with its gothic style cathedral and its hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean, it is situated pretty much the opposite side of the North American continent from where we live.

In less than two months, Kenji will graduate from his middle school. In four months from now, he will leave home and start attending St. George’s school. Naturally, our life will change its appearance in some way or the other. To appreciate the time we have and to offer anything I can offer to my son, we started to have a regular evening walk in our neighborhood and discuss various topics.

Certainly, it is quite interesting to see how he may grow in the boarding school environment. Exposed in the stimulating environment, learning to find the way of his life is what I hope he gain in this new setting. Watching the news on TV, the war in Iraq is almost over with more works to be done. Things certainly change. Yet, the sound of wind chime reminds me of something that is eternal.

I re-read a few books, share thoughts with friends, and live my life in practicing the Way. Although I notice me stepping out of the Way so frequently, practicing the Way from moment to moment is the Way by itself. Why not? What else? So, I think. And, as soon as I confirmed my thought, I heard the sound of the wind chime and the birds saying Sadhu sadhu (well said, well said) to such a thought. Later, when I looked into the family room, I saw cats cleaning up their faces quietly.

Have a good day, good life!

****Update in My Life****

(1/05/03)

The year 2,002 has passed and 2,003 arrived as a stream continue to run in silence. After Kenji taking the SSAT test for the boarding school, he was busy writing essays during this holiday. Even I wrote an essay reflecting on Kenji's personality as a part of application while Barbara made sure that everything is done appropriately. Other than few social gatherings, I enjoyed playing with my son the new computer games, Play Station-2, tennis and golf. Soon, we may start to take fencing together.

To reflect back the year 2,002, I found my new book not selling well - in spite of the foreword given by Dalai Lama and the praises from Stephen Covey, Mr. Cho of Toyota and many others. Perhaps business is to be looked as business and not to be mixed with spirituality (yet). Or, this was due to the lack of my command in the language. Anyway, other than a few consulting works, seminars, and three-month-help to a small start-up company, my life remained quiet.

After a few years of the journey into my inner mind, the notion of subjectivity is truth・is felt more vividly. As my practice of meditation continues in daily life as it should, there are life energies felt as if they are sparks of electricity. After going through the inner search, it is like coming back to the external world again. While exhibiting a new outlook, this experience reminds me an Zen expression, before, there were mountains and water. After, mountains and water・

In a week, I am to go to a 10-day meditation retreat. In February, I will be go back to New Zealand for fishing. There are various ways to express life depending on the external circumstances tied with our internal potential. Whether it is work, hobby, friendship or else, I wish the best in every one, every cell, and every trees and all to exhibit its own intrinsic nature!!!