“Radical: arising from or going to the root or source; fundamental; basic.”
Webster’s Dictionary

When my son was a teenager he once said to me, “Dad, I just don’t get it. Why do people spend so much time doing what they don’t really enjoy, just to get ahead or to make money? Don’t they get it? Don’t they see that we are all going to die?” I thought this was a great observation and a great question.

Integrating Zen practice with business practice is a “radical” choice — radical in the sense of returning to the values and way of life that are most basic and fundamental to human beings. A monk takes a radical view of life, choosing to return to the root, the most basic level of human existence, focusing on the inner life, on living simply, and fostering self-knowledge and compassion for others as a way to change the world. A monk lives a very simple, very basic life. A monk shuns the ordinary assumptions about success and failure. A monk, through his choices, makes a statement and sets an example to the world regarding the importance of focusing on what is most basic to human existence and satisfaction. A monk lives and operates outside society’s definitions and at the same time understands that there is no escaping these definitions.

An entrepreneur or any small businessperson takes a radical view of business, choosing to return to the root, the most basic form of commerce, of meeting the needs of people and creating a response that is direct and basic. An entrepreneur defines success and failure for herself. An entrepreneur sets an example to the world regarding focusing on what is most basic and important to business. An entrepreneur works outside society’s definitions and at the same time understands that there is no escaping society’s definitions. Being joyful, honest, open, and vulnerable in business is a radical idea. I believe that there are no accidents, that it is no accident that we find ourselves in whatever work situation we have chosen. There are many similar “radical” similarities between the values of Zen practice and business practice:

• They are both challenging, and with each challenge comes the possibility of achievement and satisfaction.
• They are both fraught with possibilities, unknowns, and adventure. Anything could happen. There are no limits.
• They both draw on inner and outer practices. How we experience and perceive the world is vitally important. Both provide the chance to work on our inner lives, to expose patterns, and to develop character.
• They are both outward practices, aimed at making a difference in the world. Zen practice makes a political, social, and economic statement. A business makes a political, social, and economic statement.
• They both provide an opportunity to affect people on a local, community, and global level.
• They are both disciplines with clear guidelines and practices.
• They both possess a magical and mystical quality when practiced wholeheartedly.
Zen practice may appear radical from the outside. For people practicing it is a simple and direct way of life. As in business practice, there are no clear rules, path, or map. Zen isn’t something you take down from the shelf and then put on like clothing. Your life is the practice. This returning to the most fundamental description of practicing Zen is what makes it such a radical practice, a return to a basic way of life.

From the outside being an entrepreneur may also appear to be a radical choice. But I believe that the definition of entrepreneur is much broader than “someone who starts a business.” It is much more a radical way of thinking and living in the world — learning directly from each experience, each problem, each person that we meet.

Questions:
What defines you as radical?
In what ways are you a “monk” — in your intentions, lifestyles, and daily activities?
In what ways are you an entrepreneur? What have you begun? What do you oversee?
When you envision your ideal work situation, what kinds of actions are you performing? How do you interact with people? How do you use your gifts and talents?