Model of conscious leadership.

As a dharma practitioner on the path we can often times struggle to integrate our meditation with our daily life. Training in mind and awareness cultivates a state of preparedness and responsiveness on the cushion that we slowly learn how to bring out into our daily activities. As we learn to work with this sense of preparedness, we need to learn how to live authentically and contribute meaningfully to the world around us. 

The five elements of conscious leadership create a framework to integrate your practice with your daily life. By working with each of these elements you encounter resistance and limits in your own body, mind and emotions. Pay attention to that resistance and hesitation. As you become familiar with each of these elements, you will see where you are grasping to aspects of your experience or shutting down. Acknowledging these obstacles and perceived barriers gives you something tangible to work with in your meditation. In this way, our meditation supports our daily life and our daily activities fuel our meditation.

The result of a practice that integrates both meditation and your daily life is a willingness to have an grounded, fluid and truthful connection with the world around us. We awaken to the very presence that dwells in the heart of the human condition. All of these elements are included within the single sphere of unborn bodhicitta, our ever-present primordial state of authentic presence that is open, available and responsive. 

Five elements of conscious leadership.

What does it mean to be a conscious leader who contributes meaningfully to the world? What posture would you have? What would you stand for? How would you organize your effort and activity to best meet the demands of your friends, family and community? In the Buddha's teachings we often find a reference to the five family Buddha's that depict the qualities and characteristics of conscious living. The five Buddha families provide a framework for understanding how to integrate our practice with our daily life so that we can remain genuinely grounded in our values, but also intimately participate with others around us. 

Buddha. Lead by example. 

The buddha element represents a grounded, present, truthful expression of the self. This element focuses on providing resources, making connections, revealing implications and seeing clearly. They are committed to the activities of learning, contemplating, writing and teachings others. They teach how to work with fear and hesitation in order to move beyond our habitual manifestation or the status quo. They use the power of metaphor and stories to teach others and to share their integrated vision. They are aware of their own constructs but not stuck on them. 

The primary emotional work of the buddha element is focused on confusion, uncertainty and fear. While these may never go away, training in the buddha element teaches us to dance with confusion, uncertainty and fear to create opportunities for wisdom or purpose. The form or shape of our life becomes one in which we guide, teach and lead others out of confusion and habitual patterns into wisdom and clarity. 

Vajra. Practical solutions. 

The vajra element emphasizes identifying and solving problems. They use logic, reasoning and critical thinking to figure out how to use and deal with conflict. Curiosity drives the vajra element to create, shape boundaries, contextualize or model innovative solutions. The vajra element is focused on bringing about fulfillment or actions that manifest the intended result. 

The primary emotional work of the vajra element is focused on aversion and anger. As our sense of self hardens we become more self-righteous, more opinionated and critical of others.  We become very authoritarian and assertive.  These mental states naturally encounter conflict and problems in our world and relationships which provoke anger and aggression. As we learn to work with the vajra element, we can transmute the energy and power of aversion and anger into clear thinking and penetrating insight. 

Ratna. I am a contribution. 

The ratna element recognizes that we all co-create the world and how we show up matters. We can share gifts with the world, gifts of compassion, kindness and generosity to impact others. The ratna element is committed to demonstrating the abundance of inner wealth in a world of scarcity and selfish concern. Being values-oriented they are more focused on the long tail of generosity than the short finite game of results. 

The primary emotional work of the ratna element is focused on egotism and your status. Our actions are often concerned with the eight worldly concerns and how we will be perceived by others. Acts of generosity are often complicated by status roles and personal favors. As we learn to work with the ratna element we overcome the narrow confines of the ego and recognize the significance of their contribution. 

Padma. Caring for others.

The padma element recognizes that all human endeavors are co-created and that we share responsibility in shaping that global reality. They work to inspire, motivate and connect others. They embody an intimate presence in all aspects- their body, mind, energy, and emotions; to develop deeply personal relationships and extend their care and attention to their community. Their passion, joy and care engender connection, belonging and trust. 

The primary emotional work of the padma element is focused on selfish desire and attachment. All of us have strong desires and passions and our fixation on these leads to a very narrow view and limited understanding.  We become fixated on our version of what's right, what we think is the best way, what we want. As we learn to work with the padma element we overcome the tendency to focus on our own qualities and characteristics and direct our attention to nurturing and caring for others. 

Karma. Help others.

The karma element is committed to service, effort, availability, initiative and accountability. They express a willingness to step forward to benefit others. They are intentional about becoming more and more available to others and work to be in service to the processes that are unfolding around them. They joyously remain open and present amidst hardship and problems. 

The primary emotional work of the karma element is focused on greed and your own needs. Much of the work we do in this life is focused on gaining status, power or control over others. We dominate the situation so nobody else can outshine us. Elevating ourselves and our abilities becomes the main focus, rather than being meaningfully present or helping others. As we learn to work with the karma element we overcome this insecurity and paranoia, discovering a sense of natural ease and fulfillment. No longer focusing on our own position or qualifications, we can be present and available to meet others where they are at, on their own terms. 

Teaching, leading or guiding?

The Buddha is a powerful symbol in the Buddhist tradition. Any Buddhist tradition will have some embodiment of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The Buddha represents the teacher, the dharma the teachings, and the Sangha the community that revolves around these two. 

The Buddha represents the ideal form that one assumes in this lifetime. It is the form of oneself as a teacher, a leader, or a guide. Each of these roles can have subtle differences and as we associate with a teacher it is important that we discern our own role in relation to the teacher. 

A teacher has knowledge that you don't have. A teacher is someone you turn to for resources, insight or direction. A teacher can connect dots and build bridges where there is confusion or uncertainty. A teacher sees a bigger picture than you see, and as such can open doors or tear down walls. It is important that the teacher has some practical, real world experience. Some teachers might be overly academic or scholarly, but not be grounded in reality. Practical knowledge is almost always better than theoretical knowledge. 

A leader by necessity has a following, even if it is a following of one. A leader heads into the unknown, through the woods and over mountains to pave a new trail. Our world and our situation is constantly changing, so the importance of a leader cannot be overlooked. Leaders are able to connect the tribe, set out a vision, build something new, and give us a heading on our journey. Leaders have authority but also recognize and honor the voices of those below the leader. Be wary of a leader who is reckless, self-centered or doesn't lead by example. 

A guide is someone who has intimate experience with the path that you are traveling and has no other motive than for you to travel the path safely and with minimal hardship. They know the best places to sprint and the times to rest. They are patient and tolerant of the hardship one faces, but also recognize the urgency and initiative needed to traverse the path. The guide knows you are very results orientated, that you want to finish, but they know that once you reach the end you must go back and hopefully they can teach you to enjoy the journey along the way. Be wary of a guide who sells you on the finish, or really wants you to do this thing because they have done it. Find a guide for the journey you want to travel. 

You might not find all of these qualities in one individual. You might have teachers, leaders and guides along the journey. The important part is recognizing your needs and the challenges you are facing on your journey. 

Conscious citizens of the world.

What does it mean to be a conscious citizen in an increasingly complex world?

What are the qualities and characteristics of a conscious citizen? How would they see the world, what does their posture look like?

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own body, mind, feelings and perceptions. I know my own beliefs, knowledge, philosophical views, and opinions are true, but partial. I am conscious of my own perspective, but recognize that perspective is inherently limited and thus not the entire story. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of the body, mind, feelings and perceptions of others. I recognize that the beliefs, knowledge, philosophical views, and opinions of others are true, but partial. I am conscious of my own perspective and understand that others will not likely share my perspective or even be able to appreciate it. Having a deep understanding of my self and my own perspective, I can be more tolerant and accepting of others, even those with divergent or rigid views. Just as I would not hate a child for holding irrational views, I understand that we all act irrationally and from a limited perspective. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own culture and the culture of others. I appreciate diversity, celebrate differences, and recognize the basic human needs of safety, belonging and the yearning to gain control over our own lives. Not conforming to the worlds ways of division and manipulation, I value different perspectives and encourage connection and inclusion. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of the way in which systems, organizations and politics support and create the cultures in which we live. I appreciate the individual and collective are inseparable and recognize the consequences of participating in and contributing to the systems that shape our world. I work to inspire, empower and connect individuals to live authentically and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. I have the wisdom to see through the perspectives of the status quo and encourage connections across a variety of views so that others can gain an appreciation that their position is also true, but partial. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own constructs, though not stuck on them. I have a willingness to step forward in a healthy and meaningful way to benefit others. When I am authentically present, I can acknowledge my current reality and remain deeply grounded, both in good times and bad. I recognize my own limits and the scope of my life, acknowledging that giving ourselves boundaries empowers us to occupy the world in which we find ourselves. Cultivating authentic presence opens the doorway to deeply personal, intimate relationships and a willingness and receptivity to extend kindness to all. 

Recognizing that I am simultaneously a leader and a follower, I dedicate my life to remaining open, available and responsive. Again and again, I aspire to return to the ground of clarity and truth. I acknowledge the hard choices that we all have to make and hope to inspire a willingness to move forward towards a better future for all. 

#Black Lives Matter. *Conditional terms apply.

Happy Juneteenth!

I've been watching a lot of police videos lately of police officers harassing and assaulting black lives. Again and again, I am witnessing a common theme where the police are looking for a reason to exercise their power and control over the situation. It doesn't need to be a good reason, it can be something as simple as reaching for something, resisting arrest in some way, questioning the officer about why they are being pulled over or arrested. Sometimes the officer will keep harassing the individual until they do something that qualifies as a reason to ask them to step out of the car, and things start to escalate. (BTW, I've been pulled over three times for traffic stops and never been asked to get out of the car. If an officer asked me to get out of the car, I would question them too.) 

Give blue bodies a reason to exercise power and control over black bodies, and they will. 

Of course this isn't unique to police officers, we all (we all being people who conceive of being white) have this too. Imagine walking down a sidewalk at night and two black men are walking towards you. What is your bodily response? Do you feel a sense of heightened awareness? Do you get a little kick of adrenaline? You probably do a quick safety check- Are you in control of your body? Yes. In control of your surroundings? Yes. Do you feel threatened? No. Feeling safe and secure and in control of your own body, you probably walk right by and so do they. 

What happens if those black men are wearing a suite and tie? How does that affect the situation? What if those black men are wearing baggy jeans and hoodies? What if you hear one of them swearing? In each of those situations, you are going to be assessing your safety and control over your own situation. We do this to everyone, poor people, drunk people, people with dogs. It is normal to have a physiological response to your surroundings. You should pay attention to the way you feel and respect your right to feeling safe and secure. Your life matters. 

Here's the thing: it is not normal for a white body to fear a black body. White bodies have never been tormented or oppressed by black bodies. It would be normal, and probably is normal, for black bodies to feel fear and insecurity around white bodies. After all, black lives have been regularly tormented and oppressed during the entire period of recent black history. For white people, it is their perception that gives rise to these feelings of fear and insecurity. 

Where is the highest rate of crime in your city? Let me guess, it is probably an area with a high minority population. This area has poor schools, lower income housing, poor city planning and development. More than likely, the city wants people to avoid that area and directs resources accordingly. As a result, white people build an association that urban, low income black people are dangerous. Black people = bad* 

(*Conditional terms apply)

So let's imagine a young black man wearing baggy jeans and a hoodie comes to your front door in your middle to upper class neighborhood. Are you going to answer the door? Are you going to call the cops? What if it is a middle aged man wearing jeans and a t-shirt? What if it is a black man wearing a suit and tie? 

What if there is a non-descript black man appearing drunk as they walk down the sidewalk? What if there is a black man off the trail in your local park (you didn't see him taking a picture of his favorite flower)? 

What is your body and mind doing in all of these situations? How does your body feel? Do you feel threatened? Do you have a sense of control over your own body and the situation? What reason do you need to call the cops? 

Give me a reason to call the cops, and I will. 

Here is what I am seeing in our culture. White lives matter. The feeling that white bodies have over their sense of security and the control they feel over their situation matters. When white bodies feel threatened, even if it is just a mental perception, they will act to take control over their situation and exercise their power. White power might be a divisive term thrown around by hate groups and the media, but truly this is the essence of white power, that at any time white bodies can exercise their control and power over black bodies. If you are white, you have white power simply because your perceived sense of control over your body matters to our culture. 

The same cannot be said for black lives. Not at this time in history. It cannot be said on a cultural level that we respect the same level of power and control that black people have over their own lives. Sure, we can say black lives matter, but give the white body a reason and it will take control of that black body. What is disgusting about some police officers that we are seeing is that they are using any reason to take control of that black body and then using excessive force without restriction or consequence. 

All of this has to do with how we perceive or feel about our own security and sense of control over our own lives. This is a fundamental human right, and to this day we are not giving as much importance to this right to black lives. This is why we say Black Lives Matter. 

Collectively, we all need to examine and unlearn our own unconscious biases. We need to build systems that respect and value black lives as much as other lives. The path forward is not easy or clearly formed, but we can start by recognizing what is going on in our own body and mind and learning how to work with that more effectively. 

I am a contribution.

I like to think that my local coffee shop stays open and in business because I go to it. I support their  product, the way they do their work, the atmosphere they create. The time and attention I spend (and the money I spend) keeps them in business. 

With COVID-19, we can all start to appreciate how much this is true. The places that capture our attention and energy keep us coming back for more and are more likely to stay open over the long run. We make an effort to order out from the restaurants we enjoy. You might buy a gift card from a local retailer, knowing you will buy from them again in the future. Your actions create and effect the world around you, and your actions have power. 

It is also true that many of our actions support the discrimination of black people in our society. How do the neighborhoods we choose to live in and do business with affect the black community? How does the way our cities are structured, our schools designed, our financial markets created impact black lives? What about all of the media we consume, the TV shows we watch, the dreams we are told to dream, how do those impact our view and understanding of black lives? 

Just as surely as we contribute to the success of our local retailer, we contribute to the discrimination of black men, women and children in our society. It might not be intentional, but it doesn't have to be intentional for it to have an impact. 

The answer to this problem is not easy or clearly formed. It is a small step to know that you are a contribution. Knowing you are a contribution, you can begin to reflect on your actions and the way those actions reinforce what you would like to see in the world. 

Knowing you are a contribution, your contribution to supporting black lives can take many forms: attention, physical presence, donating, listening, sharing, supporting black businesses or artists. There isn't a right way to contribute, but there is a wrong way: thinking it's not up to you and that you aren't doing anything wrong.