Mindfulness & The Mindful Leader

In his answers neurologist Robert Burton reflects the thinking of Lee Thayer about thinking differently. Burton shares: "I prefer...questions to answers. I prefer ambiguity, mystery and awe to bottom-line explanations.  ...I recognize and often rejoice in the absurdity of human condition, and wouldn't want it any other way. If scients arrived at a final theory of everything. I would try not to read it."

Reflected in the thinking of Buddha we hear the same thing:

The Kalama Sutra

The Kalama Surta is the Buddha’s reply to a group of townspeople of Kalama. They asked Buddha who were they to believe of all the ascetics, sages, holy ones and teachers They came through their town confusing them with their contradictory truths, teachings, beliefs, and one true way. Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation of the Kalama Sutra: To the Kalamas from the Pali is a good read.

• Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it,
• Nor traditions because they are old and have been handed down from generation to generation and in many locations,
• Nor in rumor because it has been spoken by many,
• Nor in writings by sages because sages wrote them,
• Nor in one’s own fancies, thinking that it is such an extraordinary thought, it must have been inspired by a god or higher power,
• Nor in inferences drawn from some haphazard assumption made by us,
• Nor in what seems to be of necessity by analogy,
• Nor in anything merely because it is based on the authority of our teachers, masters, and elders.

However, after thorough observation, investigation, analysis and reflection, when you find that anything agrees with reason and your experience, and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, and of the world at large; accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it; and live up to it.

These words, the Buddha went on to say, must be applied to his own teachings.