Weekly Updates for Volker’s Tweets: 2012-01-27

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Doritos & Farts

Friday Funny I guess:

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Wee man in Milano

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You are a process – TED

Hi,

This TED talk makes you think. It made me think anyway. It suggests that we are who we are because of what we believe in, how our brain is wired, what we think of ourselves etc. And, instead of thinking we are as we are, we should think of us as a process. Constantly changing.

Think about it. Literally. Weird. But it also ties in with Buddhist philosophy and self development. Harvard Business Review recently suggested that people who want to achieve more, the ones that constantly challenge themselves, become more successful. Because they are dynamic, they are a process in itself.

What do you think?

Wise people fashion themselves :-)

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Sunday Column (151)

Now this week was busy but good busy if that makes sense. Monday started with some really good news. It is good to get confirmation of something really nice. So life is good to us. Thanks.

I had a lot of discussions this week about challenges. As I wrote in several of my Buddhist Thoughts: you come across challenges in life that you need to resolve. If you resolve them you can move on. Sometimes you don’t get new challenges or things overall look like a challenge. Then one needs to decide whether one likes to solve the challenge here and now or somewhere else later. I guess that is just the way it is. I had a few conversations like that this week. For me, I always try to resolve issues first in the here and now. You might not get a chance to resolve them later, so go for it whilst you can. Soaring new heights where you are I suppose.

We humans are the only mammal that drinks milk after we grow out of a child’s age; and we drink milk of other mammals too. I am saying that because we are the only ones that think about the past and the future, and can make relation to each other. And I am saying that based on a discussion with one of my work colleagues this week. We are the only ones that can control our minds. We humans are quite fantastic really. I started listening to “Buddha’s Brain“, a book/audiobook looking at the science of Buddhism and the way we can shape our own thoughts for greater happiness, love, compassion, and wisdom.

Quite fascinating really if you think about it. So challenges as well as us humans controlling our mind shape our future, our thinking and ultimately our actions. And, we are in control. The latter is almost scary. A lot of work on ourselves can result in a lot of power and success. Now we are talking about a perfect state where I would like to be: a balance between the spiritual development, the career development, satisfaction at work and at home, work /life balance and constant challenges to develop. We can do it; let’s just balance it right.

I guess I am drifting a bit. But sometimes it is good to let your mind flow. Some discussions this week showed me that my filters for life are a lot different to other people’s filters of the world. You can agree, disagree and discuss. But sometimes you realise that you are too different. So finding common ground becomes more of a challenge. That is when we start at the beginning of this blog post again. However, I spend two great nights and a good lunch in the company of great minds that think alike….

There is not much I could complain about in life at the moment. Maybe that Colin goes through the phase of “not liking his daddy“. Maybe that we still haven’t sold the house or found a new one. Things take time. It seems we have found a car though. The kids teach me patience each day/night. Almost every day this week I got home at night thinking that I learned something and that things are moving in the right direction. A blessed feeling. A good feeling.

I am happy. Now I need to make more people happy. I am trying. I am trying hard.

Buddha bless, have a great week ahead.
Volker

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Weekly Updates for Volker’s Tweets: 2012-01-20

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Buddhist Thoughts about attachment

You might have noticed that I write less about Buddhism lately. No other reason but that I have less time, and that I run a bit out of some really good quotes. That will change again, I am sure.

I love to write a longer article about Attachment, however I currently review the Diamond Cutter book again. Said that, I still need to finish another MBA book I am reading. Only got two eyes for reading ;-)

To be attached to one’s own happiness is a barrier to the true and perfect path. To cherish others is the source of every admirable quality.

- Tsongkhapa, “The Splendor of an Autumn Moon”

If you are attached to anything, your mind is not open for something new. If it is happiness you are attached to, you stand in your own way to find the right path.

Only if you are willing to give up any attachment and free your brain from any limiting thoughts, then you are free to find your path.

So, by cherishing others, you aren’t attached to your own happiness. And, you don’t create a new attachment, just share the love with other people and make them happy.

Could you wish for anything else?

Have a great day,
Volker

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Sunday Column (150)

150 Sunday Columns – this is a looooong time. Almost 3 years I have been sharing my thoughts here on my blog. My blog has changed since I launched it: both from an URL perspective, platform perspective, and from the content of course.

Change. As you know our company got bought and this was announced this week. I won’t go into detail here, as this is still my private blog. I enjoy working in RTB and with technology, so I am excited about upcoming opportunities. However, don’t expect me to comment on the deal.

Ever since the inspiring book by Steve Jobs I cannot stop listening to Bob Dylan. My “song of the week” is “shelter from the storm”.

With us wrecking our brains now about moving house, selling our current one, buying a new car etc., this song probably makes a lot of sense to my subconscious. I actually remember listening to it full blast (via headphones) on a flight back from Milan last year, chilling out.

Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm

“Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns”

I’ve heard newborn babies wailing like a mourning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question man is it hopeless and forlorn

Well I’m living in a foreign country but I’m bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor’s edge someday I’ll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born

“Come in” she said
“I’ll give you shelter from the storm”.

Maybe I am a bit sentimental today. The weather turned colder. I am exhausted. For the past week I probably slept 4 hours on average. Our boys seem to test us to the limit. On top of all of the above are more things we need to resolve. It seems as we are being constantly challenged. Constantly pushed to our limits.

And, as I tried to explain to many people before, I love it. I am someone who needs these new and constant challenges. I am never happy where I am. I have a very strong drive to succeed and be the best in class. That is just me. Pushing boundaries widens your horizon. Nothing else is more fun.

I am learning. I actually managed to play with my son for an hour without checking my phone when I got home on Friday night. I am engaging with the person opposite, not matter how small, and give him my full attention. They are trainers. They train me to be patient, to be tolerant, to relax.

I couldn’t do it without that balance.

Anyway, I am waffling a bit here, so I better stop.

Have a great week.
Volker

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Weekly Updates for Volker’s Tweets: 2012-01-13

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Buddhist Thoughts – Avoiding Thoughts

Another quote I really like:

It is crucial to know when it is appropriate to withdraw our attention from things that disturb our mind. However, if the only way we know how to deal with certain objects is to avoid them, there will be a severe limit as to how far our spiritual practice can take us.

- Lama Thubten Yeshe, “Introduction to Tantra”

Sometimes one continues thinking about things that are going on in one’s head. One cannot sleep or give any thought to something else. Maybe something in the future, a thought of what happens if etc.

It is important to know when to withdraw from those thoughts. Yes, we could just avoid them all but then we are limited in our believes.

Does that make sense? Yes, you should be dealing with all thoughts and some will be best avoided but most will teach you something. And resolving them will give you an advantage for your next big problem.

Never forget that you are the one in charge, deciding whether to deal with a situation and learn from it, seeing it as a challenge or rather to withdraw and avoid it. Latter won’t see you learning anything new.

Best wishes,
Volker

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