buddhaspeaksbiz

Facebook | My Links

2009-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Love Everyone, Trust a Few!

2009-07-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

These days, every day seems to bring with it yet another test of man's ability to withstand the news without indignation or anger. I am not sure what you felt after seeing three rabbis and three mayors from the state of New Jersey led away in handcuffs after an undercover FBI sting operation uncovered bribes and the selling of human organs.

This was not an episode of the Sopranos, it was not a mafia deal gone bad, these were citizens occupying positions of trust. So what to make of this.

Well, I have been saying on media interviews since the financial meltdown that this was just the tip of the iceberg, and that there were more Bernie Madoffs and more of what the world of business of the past decade has been producing. And there is still more to come.

Eliot Spitzer was indeed on to something, unfortunately he had indiscressions, but his credibility as a district attorney must never be underestimated.

And now Canada has our own Bernie Madoff, Earl Jones, who has bilked millions out of their life savings in another Ponzi scheme. So how do celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and alleged self help gurus play a role in these mounting crimes?

The world of business has been operating for many years on auto pilot., And despite what we would like to believe , it still is. Familiar behaviour is hard to break. The addiction to money and power is also difficult to break, because there is nothing else to replace it for many people in their lives. Religion isn’t an answer, because most of the Mafia kingpins are devout Roman Catholics, and as we have seen even ultra orthodox Jews are falling victim to crime. Some of Enron swindlers were devout Christians.

It’s rather comedic, and in some ways tragic when Oprah Winfrey, the self proclaimed Goddess in the U.S., especially in the eyes of American women, and mother of all that is right and holy continues to send double messages to her worshipping fans.

The network last week aired a show in which she had couples challenging them to get rid of “stuff” and to go for a week with not driving their cars and walk their kids to school.. Also, no T.V. for a week. The message was to stop buying things and appreciate what they had.

The same Oprah who got upset at Nordstrom’s for not opening the store early so she could go on a private spending spree. So Oprah closes the show by challenging everyone in the audience to stop buying “more stuff”, and to appreciate what they already have. Nice idea. Except immediately after the shows credit s, the announcer tells everyone about the Oprah Summer Giveaway- Cars, refrigerators, vacations, blackberries, all kinds of STUFF. And then right on cue the audience leaps up and starts screaming, and waving their hands like scenes from a Baptist Bible Revival gathering. And guess who is leading the charge, edging them on, the Queen of all that is good and right, Oprah herself.

And so you wonder why America has lost its way! The images keep repeating themselves. It’s a losing game for people who worship false idols and truly are addicted to money, power and success. And then there is Donald Trump, the self proclaimed guru of the financial world, who was quoted in a book about his life, as being a millionaire, not a billionaire. He sued the author, claiming it ruined his reputation.

How many more lessons, how many more idols must people worship to get the message that it is time to turn away from those who are narcissistic and ego driven to the point where they take everyone who is desperate enough to follow them down the dark road to financial and personal destruction.

I encourage you to read Desiderata again and the eight fold path of the Buddha and you will see how easy it is to change your perspective on things. It just requires breaking the addiction to celebrities and “gurus” of all types disguised as saviors. And yes, even the President of the United States, or for that matter any politician.

As the Dalai Lama says; “Love everyone,trust a few”.

VANCOUVER HOSTS WORLD ZENBIZ DAY AND DALAI LAMA

2009-06-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD DOES BUSINESS

Vancouver B.C. June 10, 2009 A gathering of like minded entrepreneurs, visionaries, futurists, and corporate leaders committed to changing the way the world does business will take place in Vancouver, Canada on Sept. 12, 2009.

Two weeks before the special visit of the Dalai Lama who is on a mission to bring world peace through personal peace and compassion,The Zentrepreneurship Centre, founded by local author and visionary Allan Holender, will stage an all-day event , called "World ZenBiz Day"!

The Norman Rothstein Theater will be the venue. According to Holender, who wrote his "new thought" book "Zentrepreneurism", three years ago as a guide for the the 21st century of business; "It's time to change the way the world does business from one of selfishness, greed, and corruption, to one of selflessness, purpose, and profits with integrity."

Since the financial meltdown in 2009, the world has become a different place to do business in, we have indeed been humbled. " We were at the lowest level of trust since the 1930s' before the meltdown, and now we are even lower in our faith and trust of government and companies. Bailouts and spending more money to get more will not heal our economy or our world, but compassion and respect will."

The event scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.pacific time will feature presentations from Zentrepreneurs who are "leading from the front". Conference organizer, David R. Smith, himself a Zentrepreneur, who has a consulting practise in Toronto, say's; "Zentrepreneurs are the world's visionary leaders and mentors for the next decade, they are breaking ground for a new paradigm in business thinking. But more importantly they are bringing us hope and promise not just for now but for future generations." He follows a zen-like approach to his own business by acting with right understanding, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, and right mindfulness.

"Social entrepreneurship", Holender says, can best be described as doing good by being good. "This new paradigm is replacing the old business philosopy of if I do good, what's the payoff. Social entrepreneurship is really about applying practical, innovative and sustainable approaches that benefit society in general. The companies that succeed on this path will be on the cutting edge."

Just as the CEO (Chief Embezzlement Officer is being replaced by the Chief Enlightenment Officer), bottom-line thinking is being replaced by "blended bottom-line thinking". How will what I do in business and life impact my employeees, my company, my community, and my planet. This new frontier of social entrepreneurship is now entering the hallowed classrooms of some of the finest academic institution business schools,and is becoming part of the MBA program of studies at many world class Universities.

"Speakers are still being selected", according to Smith, "We are witnessing a radical shift towards a more enlightened form of capitalism, which bodes well for the healing of our ecomony, our planet, and the people inhabiting our planet. We are very clear about who we want speaking at the event. We do not want motivational speakers., instead we want inspirational speakers with the right intention. When you motivate, you serve yourself, however when you inspire, you serve others".

Presentations will include:

How to Zen Your Business; Infusing your corporate culture with trust, compassion and purpose. Transparency in relationships to shareholders, employees, and the general public. Transparency is the hallmark of an enterprise that has integrity. Firms that present truthful information operate openly, and stand behind their word make their risks more manageable. ‘People are expecting more from the companies they’re doing business with and more from the companies they’re buying from’.

Becoming a Zenlightened Leader: Directors who fail to direct and managers who fail to lead are at the root of what ails the corporate world today. A recent survey of thirteen thousand workers in all major industries shows that fewer than two out of five employees trust their senior leaders.Unless a company can resolve the crisis of confidence among its employees, it has little hope of restoring the trust and confidence of investors and customers.

Creating Zenployees in the Workplace:How do you inspire your workforce? The conditions are not favourable: pension funds are underwater, stock options have disappeared, and health benefits are diminishing. This presentation will focus on overcoming low morale and guiding workers to a significant and productive career. Once workers feel like valuable team members, they start to view their own personal success as part and parcel with the company's success. "The fusion of one’s personal vision with one’s professional mission will hallmark the next hundred years", writes Holender in his book.This presentation will provide you with ideas on how you inspire your employees to become “zenployees”enabling them to feel a sense of passion and purpose in the work they do.

The Age of Enlightened Capitalism: For decades, environmentalists have been warning us that human economic activity is exceeding the planet’s limits. Of course we keep pushing those limits back with clever new technologies; yet living systems are undeniably in decline. This presentation features a blueprint for a new economy, explaining how the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution--one that promises to transform our fundamental notions about commerce and its role in shaping our future.

The event will be live streamed around the world, and will be watched by millions as they gather for "watch parties" in living rooms, offices, board rooms, open air pavilions, theatres, coffee houses, villages, anywhere there is an internet connection.

Tickets for the all day live event in Vancouver are $10 each and available now at http://zenbizday.eventbrite.com Proceeds will be used to host future events. If you would like to participate in volunteering, provide goods and services, or explore sponsorship opportunities, contact David R. Smith at drsmithzenbiz@yahoo.ca

Direct all media enquires to David R. Smith at drsmithzenbiz@yahoo.ca

2009-03-21T11:29:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/21-22/09

"Above, below and around you, all is Spontaneously existing, for There is nowhere which is Outside Buddha-Mind."-Huang Po

COMING SOON- CONVERSATIONS with Allan Holender "A New Kind of Blog Talk Radio"-Real Conversations with Real People". Stay tuned....

2009-03-20T16:32:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/20/09

"Wise people, who know and understand the soul, are indifferent to both pleasure and pain; they have risen above sensations".- The Upanishads

COMING SOON! CONVERSATIONS with Allan Holender- "A New Kind of BlogTalk Radio"!

2009-03-19T01:58:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/10/09

"Conquer your circumscribed consciousness and expand your spiritual powers without limit. You can go as far as you want to go, past all limitations, and live a supremely victorius existence. "- Parmahansa Yogananda

2009-03-17T23:39:00.001-07:00

The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Award winning author and screenwriter looks at the past, present, and future of The Corporation!

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 17, 2009 -- Voice America, the world's premiere web radio network, announces the appearance of renowned author, screenwriter and law professor Joel Bakan exclusively on the highly acclaimed ZenBiz Radio Show on Wednesday March. 18th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at http://ping.fm/wOYoh

The film, "The Corporation", winner of 26 International awards, including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, was based on Joel Bakan's book, "The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."

Provoking, witty, stylish and sweepingly informative, The Corporation explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time.

Part film and part movement, The Corporation transformed audiences and dazzled critics with its insightful and compelling analysis. And now five years later from Enron to AIG, Bakan asks the rhetorical question; "Have we learned anything"?

Bakan will talk about the hyping of worthless stock and corporate fraud that facilitates the wealth of those extracting enormous and unjustified salaries and perks.

As well, he notes that over the last 300 years corporations have amassed such great power as to weaken governments ability to control them.

Indeed congress has gotten its piece of the action as corporate leaders share part of their profits with the very politicians charged with regulating them.
Some politicians even own stock in the companies they regulate.

Find out about his compelling prediction about the future of the corporation in America.

Exclusively on ZenBiz Radio at http://ping.fm/Sslk5 ZenBiz Radio airs live on Wednesdays at 11 AM Pacific / 1 PM Central / 2 PM Eastern on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. To access the show, log on at http://ping.fm/yHqMO All shows will be available in Allan Holender's Content Library on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel for on-demand and podcast download.

2009-03-17T23:37:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/17/09

"The Self exists both inside and outside the physical body, just as an image exists inside and outside the mirror".- Ashtavakra Gita

2009-03-16T07:37:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/16/09

"Then in the end one leaves the body together with one's possessions. Knowing this, the intelligent man Enjoys possessions and gives. Having enjoyed and given in line with his means, uncensored he goes to the heavenly state."- Addita Sutra

For an hour of zenful business talk Join Allan and Bruce Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. pst for ZenBiz Radio on Voice America Business www.voiceamerica.com . (Joel Bakan of "The Corporation") is the featured guest.

DOWNLOAD ALLAN'S E-BOOK TODAY FOR $9.95 at www.zentrepreneurism.com

2009-03-14T17:03:00.001-07:00

EXCLUSIVELY ON ZENBIZ RADIO WED. MAR. 18TH

The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Award winning author and screenwriter looks at the past, present, and future of The Corporation!

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 18th, 2009 -- Voice America, the world's premiere web radio network, announces the appearance of renowned author, screenwriter and law professor Joel Bakan exclusively on the highly acclaimed ZenBiz Radio Show on Wednesday March. 18th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at http://ping.fm/INwUH

The film, "The Corporation", winner of 26 International awards, including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival,was based on Joel Bakan's book, "The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."

Provoking, witty, stylish and sweepingly informative, THE CORPORATION explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time.

Part film and part movement, The Corporation transformed audiences and dazzled critics with its insightful and compelling analysis.

And now five years later from Enron to AIG, Bakan asks the rhetorical question; "Have we learned anything"?

Bakan will talk about the hyping of worthless stock and corporate fraud that facilitates the wealth of those extracting enormous and unjustified salaries and perks.

As well, he notes that over the last 300 years corporations have amassed such great power as to weaken governments ability to control them.

Indeed congress has gotten its piece of the action as corporate leaders share part of their profits with the very politicians charged with regulating them.

Some politicians even own stock in the companies they regulate.

Find out about his compelling prediction about the future of the corporation in America.

Exclusively on ZenBiz Radio at http//www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-14T16:49:00.001-07:00

Download Allan's Book TODAY For $9.95 at www.zenbiz.net Start Zenning Today!

2009-03-14T16:33:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/14/15

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought"- Buddha

2009-03-13T11:44:00.001-07:00

WATCH JOHN STOSSEL ON 20/20 TONIGHT!

We wanted to pass along this letter from John Stossel about his "20/20" special airing tonight, March 13, on "Bailouts and Bull," 10 p.m. ET.

Following is the letter from John:

***

Hi,

Please forgive the impersonal email, but I want to let you know about my bailout special! With the help of Drew Carey and Reason TV, we look at Big Government's promise to "fix" the economy and other bull.

Here's what ABC lets me say about it:

The Conceit of the Ruling Class

Politicians and pundits say government must do "something." It sound like a Viagra ad: "Does your economy have performance issues? If it's hard to achieve and maintain growth, 'stimulus' is right for you!" But shouldn't "stimulus" come with a warning label? "Side effects may include hyper-inflation, dollar devaluation, horrible debt, growth of welfare state, and unrealized expectations. Stimulus has not been proven successful, so it should not be used in the hopes of achieving actual growth ..."

While politicians claim that "all" or a "consensus" of economists agree that something "big" must be done, more than 300 economists say that the government's action do more harm than good. I interview some, calculate the amount the stimulus costs per taxpayer (about $16,000) and ask lawmakers: Where will you get the money? If too much debt was a problem, why is more debt now a solution?

I confront House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer about his claim that "all economists agree."

Land of Opportunity

Even before the current recession, we were told that the American dream was out of reach for many. Arthur Brooks of The American Enterprise Institute says: Don't believe the doom and gloom -- wages and living standards have been on the rise since the 1950s. Despite what folks like Barbara Ehrenreich claim ("It is definitely harder to be middle class today than it was a generation ago"), the American dream is alive and well. Ehrenreich published "Nickel and Dimed", a best-seller that argues that it's almost impossible for an entry level worker to make it in America. College student Adam Shepard decided to test her theory. He picked a city out of a hat, went there with $25 in his pocket, telling no one of his college degree. Soon he had a job, an apartment, enough savings to buy a used truck, and thousands of dollars in the bank. He says he thinks Barbara Ehrenreich "wanted to fail." I confront Ehrenreich.

Universal Pre-K

Yesterday President Obama made a speech promoting Universal Pre-School. The promise sounds wonderful: Let's help sweet little pre-schoolers get a strong start in school. But SHOULD that be the job of our government? President Obama says, "We'll see a $10 return for every dollar we spend." I investigate those statistics. They turn out to be largely bull, based on a tiny study of severely disadvantaged kids. States like Oklahoma and Georgia have already spent billions on universal Pre-K and have nothing to show for it. Even the famous Head Start turns out to have no noticeable effect by the fourth grade. Dumping more money into an already failing government-monopoly school system? Give me a break.

Run for the Border

Do you sleep better at night knowing there's an expensive fence on America's southern border? Will a giant wall really secure our country? So far, those wanting to come here just go around the wall, climb over it, or cut holes in it. If we further reinforce the entire southern border, then what about Canada? Won't terrorists, illegals, and drug smugglers just come across from the north? And what about the miles of east and west coast beaches? Will we patrol our coastline with machine guns? In fact, half the illegals in America entered legally by using tourist or student visas, and staying after their visa expired. It's absolute BULL to think an expensive fence will keep anyone determined to get in this country out.

Killer Commute

Got traffic on your morning commute? It's only going to get worse. Drew Carey and I profile workers with terrible commutes. Wouldn't traffic flow better if we had some extra lanes on the freeway or new roads? Wouldn't it be good if they were paid for by someone other than taxpayers? Some politicians say yes: privatize the roads. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels did that with the Indiana Toll Road. Of the company that now leases the road, Daniels says: "They either build and maintain a road that is attractive enough and inexpensive enough, or they'll lose money. Your first insurance that they're gonna run a better road than the politicians did is, if they don't, people won't drive on it and they'll lose a lot of money. They have every incentive to make traffic flow swiftly, to make that drive as pleasant and safe as possible." Indiana taxpayers made billions of dollars on the lease, but Congressman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., says :"Privatizing existing taxpayer infrastructure is not a solution for anybody." I confront Defazio.

Medical Marijuana

Melissa Etheridge, Montel Williams and thousands more say that without medical marijuana, they would be very sick. Fortunately for them, 13 states now allow medical marijuana. Unfortunately for them, U.S. government says federal rules trump state law, and the federal government classifies marijuana as worse than crack cocaine. This is odd, since politicians from the party in power like Barack Obama, John Kerry and John Edwards have all joked about their own marijuana use. Charlie Lynch made the mistake of running a medical marijuana dispensary that tried to obey all the state laws. But still fell afoul of federal prosecutors. He now faces up to 100 years behind bars in a federal prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 23.

2009-03-13T11:40:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/13/09

"If you don't find a teacher soon, you'll live this life in vain".- Bodhidhama

2009-03-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/12/09

"A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything." He follows righteousness as the standard".- Confucius

2009-03-11T00:36:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/11/09

"Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem"- Krishnamurti

To purchase the e-book that is changing the way the world does business go to www.zentrepreneurism.com

2009-03-10T20:36:00.001-07:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11am Pacific

'Conscious Capitalism"- Changing the World for Good

Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems shows how business can become the most important force for good in the world.

Written by Michael Strong, with an introduction by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, it includes articles by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Co-Chair of the U.N. Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor Hernando de Soto, and others.

Michael Strong is also co-founder and CEO of FLOW, a non-profit devoted to "Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good." FLOW's co-founder and largest supporter is John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market.

Michael and John created FLOW out of the belief that entrepreneurs and markets were the most effective means of creating a better world. Michael has had a long interest in, and commitment to, mindfulness practices, including tai chi, yoga, and meditation. Michael Strong will be our very special guest!

LISTEN ON-LINE LIVE AT www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-10T20:34:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/10/09

"You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.- Kahlil Gibran

2009-03-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11am Pacific

'Conscious Capitalism"- Changing the World for Good

Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems shows how business can become the most important force for good in the world. Written by Michael Strong, with an introduction by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, it includes articles by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Co-Chair of the U.N. Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor Hernando de Soto, and others. Michael Strong is also co-founder and CEO of FLOW, a non-profit devoted to "Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good." FLOW's co-founder and largest supporter is John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market. Michael and John created FLOW out of the belief that entrepreneurs and markets were the most effective means of creating a better world. Michael has had a long interest in, and commitment to, mindfulness practices, including tai chi, yoga, and meditation. Michael Strong will be our very special guest.

Listen on-line live on Voice America Business

www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/9/09

"The blue mountain bordering the sea does not move, but the mind of the bird over the waves breaks free and follows the course of the river."--Daishi

2009-03-07T00:47:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/7/8/09

"May not one take muddy water and make it clear by keeping still".- Lao-tzu

Don't forget to listen to the re-broadcast of ZenBiz Radio on Voice America today (Saturday) at 12:00 noon pacific at www.voiceamerica.com

ZenBiz Radio- "Changing the way the world does business, one listener at a time".

2009-03-06T23:57:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/6/09

"Do not seek the truth. Only cease to cherish opinions"- Zen saying

2009-03-05T12:46:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/5/09

"If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him"- The Dhammapada

2009-03-04T12:12:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/4/09

"If you are not happy here and now, you will never be." - Taisen Deshimaru

* Listen to archived ZenBiz Radio Shows at www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-03T21:44:00.001-08:00

ZenBiz Radio Media Alert!!

Tommorow on ZenBiz Radio at 11:00 a.m. pacific, 2:00 p.m. eastern on Voice America Business at www.voiceamerica.com

"The Game Changers"

Today, the stale and stilted business storylines of the Industrial Age are giving way to the fresh and exciting narratives of the Networked World and the global economy.

This new arena calls for a new generation of players. These players understand that the new narratives will be improvised, not scripted. They focus more on preparation than on outcomes.

They make every action meaningful and productive. They combine optimism with pragmatism. They balance competition and cooperation. Roles and character. Life and work.

They know that the past is a memory, the future a dream, and that right here, right now is the only thing that matters. They are The GameChangers.

Based on his book, GameChangers -- Improvisation for Business in the Networked World, our guest this week Mike Bonifer invites listeners to hear and share stories about players and brands who are changing the game.