Episode 35
E34 - Mindful Mastery: Dukkha, Deficiency, and the Discipline of Attention
Hosts Scott and Paul discuss the interplay between Zen Buddhist principles and everyday life, focusing on the concept of insufficiency or "not enoughness," which the first truth of Buddhism identifies as the root of suffering. The hosts explore how this sense of lack manifests across six key categories—time, money, people, information, energy, and attention—while sharing personal anecdotes and philosophical insights. A central theme is the importance of attention as the one resource individuals have the most control over, with the hosts ultimately advising listeners to focus on the resources they possess rather than those they lack. The discussion also touches on achieving happiness by embracing the idea that "every day is a good day," including those marked by setbacks or illness, and by shifting one’s focus toward inspired vows rather than solely personal satisfaction.
0:00 - 1:04 Introduction: Welcome, hosts, location, and the episode's central theme: the interrelation of professional, personal, and spiritual growth, and the application of Zen principles to address the "not enoughness" that causes suffering.
1:04 - 2:07 Setting the Stage & Current Events: Scott checks in; Paul discusses being sick and recovering; brief mention of Halloween and the hosts' activities (Scott's Sixers costume).
2:07 - 4:47 The Six Resources of Insufficiency: Introduction of the episode's main topic: Paul's newsletter on "not enoughness" and the six categories of resources: Time, Money, People, Information, Energy, and Attention. Discussion of Dukkha (suffering) as insufficiency and the cultural obsession with Time and Money.
4:47 - 12:44 Deep Dive: Time: The "adversarial relationship" with time; the limitations of linear/chronological time; introducing the qualitative dimension of time (depth, focus, attention); Oliver Burkeman's 4,000 Weeks. Discussion on maximizing precious time, the futility of worrying about the past/future, and the Zen koan: "Every day is a good day."
12:44 - 17:34 The Role of Attention (Master Ikyu's Story): How the idea of a "bad day" creates suffering; the cause of insufficiency as the gap between ideas and reality; Attention as the most controllable resource. Master Ikyu's teaching on attention; putting attention on what you have versus what you're lacking.
17:34 - 22:58 Information and Energy: Scott's struggle with information intake; the balance between information/energy/time; tuning into intuitive sources of information and the body's energy (qi); how meditation helps manage time and energy; the wastefulness of worrying and stress.
22:58 - 30:57 Deep Dive: People: Scott's struggle with not having enough time for everyone; making the most of contact; holding people in a "circle of awareness" even when not physically present; the energy drawn from quality relationships; the importance of maintaining networks. The vital step of feeling the deficiency/lack (loneliness, lack of money) and letting it motivate positive action, rather than denying it.
30:57 - 35:05 The Achievement Treadmill and Vows: The sadness of successful people driven only by making more money; the hook of achievement and how it relates to self-worth; the quote on being disconnected from "inspired vows" and being caught in the "sticky web of too much and not enough." The solution: opening up to a bigger world/aspiration to embrace suffering.
35:05 - 35:56 Conclusion: Final thoughts, the "Game of Zen" being about attention, and sign-off.
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bjnPE66RC1bCL6h7i68jt?si=184f256fd76342e3&nd=1
Podcast Landing Page: https://game-of-zen.captivate.fm/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJ2A-vZkd5ba7bW_8KNFgdkXiSfQh_xv
One Body Sangha -- https://www.onebodysangha.org/
The Zen Shift Newsletter - https://thezenshift.substack.com/
One Body Sangha - https://www.onebodysangha.org/
Email: GameofZenpodcast@gmail.com
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