09/01/2009	Lost Coin Zen

Doen's spoke of his experience of the 1960's or the "Cheech and Chong" generation. A time when non-critical thought lead too many theories.  For example notions of  "energies" or Freudian ID.  Eventually studies have lead to proven efficacy of psychological practices such as hypnotherapy.

We have moved from philosophy to technology and techniques that can be applied.  Don't give up personal power.  Ego is important in order to discern.  Self-esteem necessary to build a healthy "I', to swayed by stupidity or fragmented parts of the "self".  Important to look at the self or he lost coin.  The intellect/driver needs to be in charge of the emotions and the body.

Creating a strong "I" and a highly functioning "I".  This allows the ability to pursue the deeper layers of altruism and enlightenment.  Celebrate life recalling Whitman and Emerson.  There is a whole body of knowledge to work with.

4th Way and Zen

Doen referenced the New York Times article about Lou Nordstrom and the importance of Zen practice and psychological work.  Value of the 4th way to develop Strong "I".

Hungry Ghost that is never content deprives me of my NOW. The multiplicity of aspects of "I" form a club of little "I"s.  Unite "I's and discover tremendous energy to move.  Find a balance of effort and time to smell the flowers.  There is no race to be won, we a just passing through.
4th way aspects, lunatic, tramp, and householder.  Lunatic cannot weight truth from false.  Tramp does not understand value and the necessity to work for understanding.  Householder understands responsibility of work, raising family and the importance of effort.  Must be at householder level to work on self and appreciate simple good values that work.

Reference to book The psychology commentaries on the teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky by Maurice Nicoll, vol. 1
