• Introduction & Episode Theme (Excerpts 1-4)
• Scott Berman welcomes listeners to "The Game of Zen" podcast from Philadelphia, PA, with Sensei Paul checking in from Boulder, Colorado.
• They briefly discuss the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl win and the town's excitement.
• Scott introduces the episode's theme: "staying calm in the storm", relating it to athletes like Jalen Hurts who perform well under pressure. He notes that this calmness is also vital in daily professional and personal lives
• Defining & Understanding Equanimity (Excerpts 4-8)
• Scott asks Sensei Paul to define equanimity, a key concept in early Buddhist teachings.
• Sensei Paul explains it as one of the "four brahma vaharas" – a profound "quality of heart mind" that is "more than just calmness".
• He emphasizes that equanimity is about "not letting externals throw you off your center and finding your center within your internal environment".
• "Centeredness" is offered as a more descriptive term for equanimity, cited as the number one most desired quality in leaders in a Booth School of Business study.
• Centeredness is visualized as the "calm still part at the center of the swirl of activity" within a hurricane, an inner place accessible through meditation.

• Cultivating Equanimity & Inner Stillness (Excerpts 8-18)
• Meditation helps individuals access intrinsic "stillness, silence, peace, and calmness" within themselves, making it continuously available for handling crises.
• Scott shares how morning meditation prepares him for daily challenges like meetings or traffic.
• Equanimity is recognized as a "steady" state applied to both "highs and lows," preventing over-celebration or over-catastrophizing.
• Sensei Paul clarifies that equanimity is not passivity but a "very vigilant" and "responsive" state, enabling action at "just the time" rather than constant overreacting.
• Cultivating "meditative mind" and "welcoming challenge and adversity" are key practices. Wisdom traditions provide a "map" to find the "center of our own minds".
• Mindfulness practice, which involves giving "full attention", cultivates samadhi – a concentration energy that is "both relaxed and energized".

• Personal Experiences & Deeper Understanding (Excerpts 19-37)
• Sensei Paul shares a recent family medical and financial crisis, highlighting how his and his wife's equanimity allowed them to clearly focus on what was needed. He notes that "maternal mind" is akin to a "master meditator" due to its inherent responsiveness.
• Scott recounts his open-heart surgery diagnosis, finding a "calm washed over" him and how his calm demeanor helped his family cope.
• Sensei Paul discusses the Buddha's journey to equanimity through a "middle path" after years of asceticism, leading to the Eightfold Path which provides a "matrix of living".
• Scott notes that applying the Eightfold Path, such as "right speech," increased his own calm nature.
• A "bigger perspective" on life, where "everything is included," produces equanimity, countering the "fundamental agitation or unease" of an individualistic mindset.

• Applying & Spreading Equanimity to Others (Excerpts 38-52)
• Sensei Paul shares how decades of meditation prepared...

A new episode of the Game of Zen podcast is now available: We dive deep into Zen Buddhism and aging, discussing how mindfulness and acceptance play vital roles in coping with loss, planning for the future, and learning from life’s unpredictable nature. We also touch on the importance of being present with loved ones in their final moments and how appreciating life's impermanence can transform our approach to aging and death. Don't miss this enlightening conversation for invaluable insights on living more meaningfully. Listen now!

00:00 Buddhism teaches impermanence through aging's challenges.

06:20 Parents declining; family experiences love, connection.

07:49 They respect my Buddhist teachings informally shared.

11:11 Stroke was his greatest life lesson.

13:54 Mom's acceptance and preparation taught lessons.

18:44 Appreciate the moment, especially with aging.

23:16 Health and presence matter; focus on impermanence.

24:14 Improving death perception with Buddhist principles.

30:08 Life continues through relationships and teachings.

31:01 Practice aids acceptance of death, fostering peace.

35:47 Mindfulness meditation offers potential physical health benefits.

38:26 Reflecting on past year’s wisdom and intentions.

41:41 "Getting old is not for sissies."

43:37 Exploring Zen's impact: subscribe, share, prosper.

Game of Zen links:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-game-of-zen/id1700988890

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

Paul Agostinelli

Zen@Work: https://www.zenatwork.org/

Zen@Work Today: https://zenatwork.substack.com/

Email: GameofZenpodcast@gmail.com

#GameOfZen #NobleTruths #entrepreneurship

#Buddhism #Mindfulness #Zen #Concentration #Buddha #Attachment #Impermenance

Welcome back to another enriching episode of "Game of Zen," where we explore the synergy between professional, personal, and spiritual growth through the lens of Buddhism and Zen mindfulness. In this episode, hosts Scott Berman and Paul Gyodo Agostinelli dive into the profound influence of spirituality on relationships, drawing from their personal journeys and Buddhist teachings.

Join us as Paul unpacks the concept of "karmic atonement" and its impact on future relationships, while Scott reflects on his past experiences with gratitude and the evolving qualities he seeks in a partner. The hosts emphasize the importance of mutual spiritual growth and maintaining a conscious relationship, especially during the holiday season—a time ripe for reflection and gratitude.

As always, we encourage our listeners to integrate spirituality into everyday life consciously, balancing responsibilities while fostering personal growth. Don’t miss out on their insightful discussion about the evolution of Zen practice, the challenges of attachment, and how to recognize relationships that match your personal vibration.

Stay tuned and subscribe to the Zen@Work newsletter for more wisdom and peace on your journey. Let's embark on this path of mindfulness and conscious connections together!

00:00 Spiritual focus; women allowed in Sangha, unequal.

03:56 Zen practice evolved from monastic to inclusive.

07:06 Serial monogamy, later marriage, family commitment achieved.

13:11 Mindfulness enhances empathy and spiritual awareness.

16:23 Relationships test personal growth and consciousness.

19:48 Strives for mindfulness in daily life activities.

23:25 Discussing Buddhist concepts of change with daughters.

25:45 Commitment to self-awareness and nonviolent communication.

28:03 Experiential vs. fundamentalist spirituality challenges relationships.

32:34 Spirituality used superficially as personal enhancement.

36:18 Spirituality found among like-minded people, everywhere.

38:19 Quarterly Fusatsu ceremony reviews core Buddhist precepts.

42:55 Holidays are a good time for reflection.

43:42 Game of Zen podcast: Mindful living insights.

Game of Zen links:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-game-of-zen/id1700988890

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

Paul Agostinelli

Zen@Work: https://www.zenatwork.org/

Zen@Work Today: https://zenatwork.substack.com/

Email: GameofZenpodcast@gmail.com

#GameOfZen #NobleTruths