Self-improvement is important. But you can never improve yourself enough to solve all problems. www.notzen.net/2016/05/not-zen-186-maybe-its-not-you.html #notzen #self-improvement #stoicism #taoism #nature #bureaucracy

It's when you sacrifice yourself for the sake of your friends that they suddenly understand the nature of love. www.notzen.net/2016/05/not-zen-185-possum-army.html #notzen #stoicism #taoism #sacrifice #nature #purpose

Happiness is not the goal. And those who devote themselves to it, drinking, dancing, and laughing, are still not happier than those sitting in meditation. www.notzen.net/2016/05/not-zen-184-misleading-smiles.html #notzen #buddhism #stoicism #taoism #detachment #attachment #purpose

Perhaps a difference between patriotism and jingoism is that one of them commits to sacrificing for others. www.notzen.net/2016/03/not-zen-182-patriotism.html #notzen #nature #taoism #stoicism #self-sacrifice #defense #patriotism #jingoism

The path once taken is not available. No matter what you try, you are making your own path. www.notzen.net/2016/03/not-zen-181-ideal-journey.html #notzen #zen #buddhism #taoism #stoicism #journey

Let go of regrets over the people you couldn't help and focus instead on those you can. www.notzen.net/2016/01/not-zen-180-most-in-need.html #notzen #buddhism #taoism #stoicism #altruism #guilt #survival

Hi Eric. Thanks for connecting. Here is a song and video I made about building a giant stone circle in my backyard! Best wishes, Chris myspace.com/musicianchris1/video/i-made-a-circle-and-i-don-t-know-why-/109824596

People refer to empathy being present or not but that neglects the quality of it. We must check our assumptions against the reality, lest our empathy cause us to project ourselves into situations wrongly, which can lead to vast injustices. www.notzen.net/2015/10/not-zen-176-projection.html #notzen #buddhism #taoism #stoicism #empathy #projection

It's thrilling to bend your head to an impossible task. It's good, too, to lift your head to see the task for what it is. www.notzen.net/2015/10/not-zen-175-tides.html #notzen #buddhism #taoism #stoicism #nature #flow

Our actions spring from our readiness to accept responsibilities. Filled with a sense of obligation to others, attentive to the moment, we step forward. www.notzen.net/2015/09/not-zen-174-responsibility.html #notzen #taoism #stoicism #buddhism #duty #care #love #action

When you haven't lived in the present moment, when you've looked ahead and caused yourself fear, don't fight it. Breathe deep. Enjoy the moment. www.notzen.net/2015/09/not-zen-173-anxiety.html #notzen #taoism #stoicism #buddhism #anxiety #panic #fear #anticipation #meditation

Actions differ from decisions like practice from theory. They're the same, in theory, but different in practice. www.notzen.net/2015/08/not-zen-171-results.html #notzen #ethics #awareness #stoicism #nature #buddhism #taoism #zensunday