Smart Brain, Foolish Heart

A smart brain is useless if your heart is foolish.


We spend a lot of time thinking things through and trying to apply logic to this very illogical world of ours. In our society, intellect is valued over insight. Many people think that wisdom means having a lot of facts, figures, and concepts in their heads. What seems like a good idea one day can turn out to be the worst thing ever when all is said and done. Thinking with one’s head while ignoring one’s heart is what brings about wars, inequality and economic collapse.

Sometimes I am asked what “Buddhist philosophy” really is. The best answer I can offer takes on the form of a very simple question:

“Who are you?”

“Who am I?” is the most important thing a person could ask themselves. The answer to this question cannot be arrived at solely through psychotherapy or religion, and I wouldn’t hold my breath for some philosophy or course in magical thinking to do the trick either. 

When we sincerely ask ourselves this question, the logical part of our brains short-circuits and something else has to kick in to help us realize what our true nature really is. Thinking just doesn’t cut it, and no amount of intellectualization in the world will help you see it.

Asking this question and beginning the process of experiencing who and what you really are is the most important thing you do in this life. It’s what determines the way in which you go about the business of living and loving. The more clear you are on your truest, deepest nature, the less caught up you will be in all of the ups and downs of life. You’ll be able to ride the highs and lows of your daily situation the way a seasoned surfer rides the ocean waves. 

Asking this question and beginning the process of experiencing who and what you really are is the most important thing you do in this life. It’s what determines the way in which you go about the business of living and loving. The more clear you are on your truest, deepest nature, the less caught up you will be in all of the ups and downs of life. You’ll be able to ride the highs and lows of your daily situation the way a seasoned surfer rides the ocean waves. 

If this sounds perplexing to you, I’ll give you a little hint: 

What is it right now that is reading these words? Is it your eyes alone? Your brain? Your intellect? What’s coming before all of that and making this process of reading possible?

If you start to smile when you consider this question, it means you're on the right track. 

Enjoy!

Breaking the Shackles of Karma

"Just as a prisoner screaming as he’s dragged, twisting behind a horse, the chains of karma drag us down the road of suffering. Repeatedly, we follow the cycles of life, sickness, old age and death. Only your wisdom sword can cut these chains."

-Zen Master Gong

The Teachings of Zen Master Gong, Chapter 1:7

We get shackled by our karma when we live without awareness. Karma isn’t isn’t a form of punishment or reward from some outer entity with a score to settle--it’s simply the ongoing system of our actions bearing fruit. 

What determines your actions from one moment to the next is the way in which you are keeping your mind. This doesn’t mean having to feel great 99% of the time, but rather to be clear as to what’s going on and not getting attached to things being one way or the other.

When you are off center, it’s easy to get pulled in this direction or that direction based on whichever way the wind happens to be blowing. Outer circumstances will control you, your karma will control you.

By simply bringing awareness to your mind in each moment, you can take control of your life and determine what results you get in the next moment. Living mindfully rather than blindly enables us to understand the true nature of things, and when we do this we can respond to life appropriately rather than reflexively. It doesn’t mean that things happen just the way we want them to all the time, but it does mean we are better equipped to live our lives fully without getting swept away by the ups and downs of our daily experience.