The Spirit of the Ways
Posted April 12th, 2010 by Daniel Doen Silberberg
This is one of a series of posts intended to clarify the groups being formed in Lost Coin. The intention is that they be “ways”- a way to make your daily life a path and a practice of realization and excellence. This is what Lost Coin is about.
The roots of this kind of practice go back to the 12th century in Kamakura Japan. At that time it became the military capital of Japan and the Zen arts and “ways” were born and flourished.
To classify these “ways” and interpret them for our times here, we can say that the martial “ways” of strategy today would be the path of the entrepreneur: a self-reliant path to financial and personal freedom.
A second “way” is the path of what was the priest, and is now “the helper”: this would be the path of relationship or harmony, including personal relationships, parenting and the helping professions.
A third “way” is the “way” of art or spiritual insight through beauty. This can be practiced as traditional Zen arts (tea ceremony, painting, flower arranging) or our modern forms of painting, writing, music.
In this manner, our endeavors in life most of which would fall into these three areas become our “way.” Putting our vital energy (ki) and commitment into these areas we transform them into practices of realization and excellence.
Utilizing our contemporary activities is what makes Lost Coin an alive and modern Zen.
Tags: entrepreneur, excellence, helpiing professions, modern zen, parenting, practice, zen, Zen Arts
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4 Responses to “The Spirit of the Ways”
April 12th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I cannot help but feel that our primary modalitieis, whatever they may be, are often part of a complex or wider and deeper world-view. In this sense, I notice that our consciousness is intricately linked to our endeavors, whether or not they are performative actions (writing, starting a business, helping a friend) or part of our regular thoughts. In this sense, I am happy to know and believe that our paths are not limited to one lonely trail, but can intersect, fork, and merge with others. The artist as healer, the entrepeneur who regards the capacity of business to be beautiful, and so on. I think this exploration of the interplay between realization and practice in our undertakings is a great idea.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
This post helps clarify things for me in terms of the FEELING behind the groups- thanks for the post!
April 24th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for sharing. I like the concept of your blog: a way to make your daily life a path and a practice of realization and excellence.
I think the third way is for me: A third “way” is the “way” of art or spiritual insight through beauty. This can be practiced as traditional Zen arts (tea ceremony, painting, flower arranging) or our modern forms of painting, writing, music.
I love the sound and elegance of that way and it’s the one I am a practiioner of… Peace
Jonathan
April 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
[...] Find “the ‘way’ of art or spiritual insight through beauty. This can be practiced as traditional Zen arts (tea ceremony, painting, flower arranging) or our modern forms of painting, writing, music.” Source: Lost Coin Zen [...]
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