Genius Stone Blog

Prior to the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, upon being informed that the people were suffering, said, “Let them eat cake,” which at the time meant the crusts of bread.  It seems to me, that we as a nation are moving dangerously close to this attitude about the suffering of our people.  It seems we are focused on everything but relieving this suffering.

Suffering to me is an indication that you are going in the wrong direction, you are resisting the natural flow of life and so an adjustment is in order.  It is similar to the pain you feel when you put your hand in a flame; it is a message that you are doing something wrong, and you should pull your hand out of the flame. Leaving your hand in the flame will not deepen your learning; it will only destroy your hand.  Likewise, continued suffering or a system that elevates suffering beyond a natural feedback system can also destroy individuals and society.

As more and more of the people of a country fall below the poverty line, and cannot support their families it is a message to the leaders of that country that they are moving in the wrong direction. Additionally, as science has pointed out, there is a force that transcends and time connects us all instantly; so one person’s suffering affects all of us. We are our bothers keeper, like it or not. The challenge of “relieving the suffering of sentient beings” as the Buddhists commit to, is for all of us.

In a small village this is obvious and the tribe takes care of its own as a natural response to an individual suffering.  But now we are organized into Nation States, it becomes more complex, and is beyond individual capability. Hence, our equivalent of the tribal elders must take responsibility to relieve suffering and build a healthy society.

As thought leaders, how do we encourage our leaders to take responsibility for this massive effort.  Letting the people of your tribe or country work their own way out of suffering does not always work, and often creates deep levels of anger and resentment.  I think we can see this building here in the USA.

I grew up as a farmer, and if you don’t tend to your crops they wither and die.  Each plant has a life force, as each person has, but that force can be diminished or destroyed if it is not nurtured, and its force will be magnified beyond imagination if is nurtured.  Our people and the society we call The United States of America will respond in the same way.   Again, what are your ideas.

What is the difference between an idle thought and an intention powerful enough to move providence?  Some say if you want it to be so, think about or write down our desires and it will come true. Others point out it has to be a strongly held thought or intent.  Goethe said that, “The ground raises to the feet of the committed man.”

It seems to me that intention is more like a feeling than a thought.  Like working your way into a wave when you are surfing. As a friend of mine who is a Harvard PhD. and surfer, Said,  “You cannot think your way into a wave, you have to feel it.”

Connect To Who We Really Are

Like the surfer connected to a force of nature that propels them forward, our intentions have more power when they are flowing with the natural current of our lives.  We all have a natural current and rhythm within us that is part of the greater flow, which is our unique being or who we really are.  When we resist this current, which some call purpose, we suffer.  When we know it deeply, and learn to swim with it, we move forward with grace and ease in an almost magical manner.

“Know Thy Self”

Knowing yourself is not a mystical notion, it is entirely practical, but it is not easy due to the distortive effect of our thoughts and belief systems.  Once a belief system gets a hold on us, we distort our true reality to be right about what we believe. It is like trying to navigate to a location without knowing your present position. It is impossible, and will be filled with misadventures, frustration and anger.  Our present reality is not a framework or belief, which by their nature are only an approximation of reality.  These notions must be discarded or put into perspective as approximations, before we can feel who we truly are.  As the Buddhists say, “Don’t mistake the finger pointing at the moon, for the moon itself.”

It’s the Feeling or A Knowing

Knowing how to connect with the larger current that we are part of on a deep level is genius. Feeling the difference between emotions that come from our thoughts and beliefs and the feeling of being connected to our unique river is the secret. Once we know this, we can begin to expand ourselves while moving forward in our natural current, and use intention to create new realities that change the flow of our lives, and the flow itself.  We move with grace and ease creating something that is a natural extension of our deepest purpose while adding to the beauty of the world around us.

Again, I look forward to your insights and thoughts, even though they are only an approximation of reality, as are mine.

The price of paying more attention to our beliefs than the complex multidimensional flows of cause and effect seen in the Gulf of Mexico, our financial systems, and in the health and well-being of our people is great. Oil is pouring into the Gulf because the process of regulation and technology could not keep up with the complexity of drilling for oil. Our financial systems are failing because no one really wants to let go of the existing system, and our middle class, who fuels our economy, is shrinking because no one seems to understand how, or cares, to strengthen them. Trust in government, business and our leadership in general is at an all time low. Yet all we do is try to be right about our agendas. Danger signals are everywhere, yet we fear being wrong more than having a desire for success.

Arrogance Combined With Ignorance Is Deadly
Focusing our consciousness on our beliefs, thoughts and political agendas instead of understanding how present reality is emerging into the future will destroy our nation, as it has destroyed many others. Standing arrogantly on a belief without understanding present reality is the most deadly form of ignorance. Operating like this is like a basketball team arguing in the middle of a fast break. It just does not work, and yet we cling to beliefs that have nothing to do with what is happening in the moment. The teams who have the best talent, coaching and, most important, are able to get into the zone more often, win championships in sports and provide a great microcosm. We as a nation, and many of our businesses, seem to be locked into what we believe to be true instead of paying attention to what is happening. Believing we are the greatest nation, sports team or business on Earth does not change the flow of cause and effect that has the momentum of a runaway freight train.

It Is Time To Change The Game Plan
We need a time out, and some coaching. We must learn to understand and acknowledge reality by placing our consciousness on the flows of cause and effect that are emerging in the present and respond to those flows like a team in “The Zone,” instead of arrogantly defending our beliefs. Stop, take a deep breath and realize that what we believe will not stop the momentum of climate change, the debt crisis, failing businesses, and the raising dissatisfaction of our people. We must work together like a team in “The Zone” or we will lose the game of life here on the planet, or in our businesses. Acknowledge reality, see how it is emerging into the future, make a plan and act with courage, while you keep an eye on the present.

Use More Common Sense and Genius, Instead of Belief
A genius has beliefs, but uses them as a platform for discovery, instead of being defined by them. A genius does not cling to what they believe to be true, they are practiced in letting go once they begin to discover present reality. They are masters of combining existing flows to create something new. They have their consciousness focused on the present to see how it will turn into the future, like an athlete driving to the basket in “The Zone.”

The Past Is A Weak Teacher
Most of our understanding about the past is highly filtered by the beliefs we were holding during our experience at that time, and further distorted by our present beliefs and moods. Our memories, history and beliefs about the past are generally distorted; yet we argue about it and often lose friendships, miss business opportunities, and create political systems that do not work.

Reality is unfolding in the present moment and will extend into the future. If we can hold our beliefs lightly and truly understand the present, we will see how it will lead to the future. Start with understanding present reality, no matter how ugly, and look forward. Leave the past behind, where it belongs. Don’t stand in front of a runaway freight train thinking “I have never been hit by one before” hoping for a miracle. Hope is a feeling, not a strategy for success.

How Do We Create A Better Future?
With the help of comments from my readers, I will explore how to create what I call “FastBreak” solutions teams that respond to the present and create the future. Since I do not know everything, I need your comments and wisdom. So please reflect on what I have written, and provide my readers with your solutions.

In Roman Mythology Genius was a “guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth.” To unleash your Genius would mean to stop resisting your spirit’s advice and collaborate with the Genius that has been given to you.
GENIUS CREATES BEAUTY

Genius is, as I define it, collaboration with the natural flow that extends from the present, and from the knowledge, intention and consciousness of an individual or group. It is achieved through Integrative Presence, which allows you to integrate all the realities of the moment simultaneously while combining them with your intention.

A story from William F. Russell, who was a star player with the Boston Celtics, who won 11 championships in 13 years:

“Every so often a Celtics game would heat up so that it became more than a physical or even mental game, and would be magical. That feeling is difficult to describe, and I certainly never talked about it when I was playing. When it happened, I could feel my play rise to a new level. It came rarely, and would last anywhere from five minutes to a whole quarter, or more. Three or four plays were not enough to get it going. It would surround not only me and the other Celtics, but also the players on the other team, and even the referees.

At that special level, all sorts of odd things happened: The game would be in the white heat of competition, and yet somehow I wouldn’t feel competitive, which is a miracle in itself. I’d be putting out the maximum effort, straining, coughing up parts of my lungs as we ran, and yet I never felt the pain. The game would move so quickly that every fake, cut, and pass would be surprising, and yet nothing could surprise me. It was almost as if we were playing in slow motion. During those spells, I could almost sense how the next play would develop and where the next shot would be taken. Even before the other team brought the ball inbounds, I could feel it so keenly that I’d want to shout to my teammates, “it’s coming there!”—except that I knew everything would change if I did. My premonitions would be consistently correct, and I always felt then that I not only knew all the Celtics by heart, but also all the opposing players, and that they all knew me. There have been many times in my career when I felt moved or joyful, but these were the moments when I had chills pulsing up and down my spine.

Sometimes the feeling would last all the way to the end of the game, and when that happened I never cared who won. I can honestly say that those few times were the only ones when I did not care. … On the five or ten occasions when the game ended at that special level, I literally did not care who had won. If we lost, I’d still be as free and high as a sky hawk.” (William F. Russell, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man, 1979)

Imagine there is a place within you that connects directly with the formless intelligence that creates a new world every moment. It is the point where the deep light that enlivens us is connected to divine love, like a mother to a child forever. It is our portal to the infinite wisdom that the Native Americans called, “The Great Spirit.” It takes the divine energy of what Emerson called, “The Great Intelligence,” and weaves it into every moment of our life. Happiness is being consciously aware of the flow that comes into our life, filling the unique sphere of our being. It is where our forms, beautiful and light, meet with the infinite love of the being that created us, and all living things.

Our Avalanche of Fear
Sometimes it seems like our view of this light is covered by an avalanche of fear piled upon us by the struggle of living in this finite world. Somewhere between the moments of birth, dancing with the joy of childhood, and our first steps into adulthood, we burry the light of our hearts beneath piles of fear. Slowly, almost without noticing, our lives become cold and meaningless. We lose touch with the flame of life. We lay beneath the debris our painful mistakes have left behind. Smothered with coats of armor around our hearts to conserve warmth and protect what is left of our light. But shields of protection also block out the light that leads us to the surface. One day, because we held the flame in our hearts, we see the light and begin the climb. We live again in the radiance of our Soul.

Our Light Within
Once we recover from the avalanche of our fears, and find the surface full of light, the quest to let our lives shine with this creative presence only begins. As we see we are connected to an infinite being, we nurture this awareness each day quietly and follow our breathing, letting go of the fears that cover us as they fall out of our comparisons and judgments. We learn to let ourselves fly to the edge of our Soul, and peer out into the infinite. We feel the currents of the divine flowing into us, and let them guide us deeper into the heart of life. We learn to drink of this refreshing spiritual spring that is always there for us. When we feel this essence with every breath, our lives will never be the same.

It Waits For All of Us
This is what the ancients called “Awakening,” which is the beginning of a timeless infinite journey into a beautiful mystery beyond anything I can describe. It waits for all of us to take the first step.

While working with a company which does direct marketing through infomercials, I met Steve Ober, SVP and Partner. Steve directs and produces most of their shows. His success record is far greater than anyone in the industry. Seven out of ten of his shows produce successful levels of sales. The industry average is one, or during a good year, two out of twenty.

I asked Steve why he was so successful. He said, “I am driven to win and the answers are already there. If you work hard enough, you will find them.” He also said, “I know what I want because I can see it.” He went on to explain that he never gives up until the show is exactly right. He said that he stays humble, and always looks for a better way before releasing his shows.

After listening to his story, I told him about a movie Martin Scorsese recently produced about the life and career of Bob Dylan. As the story is told, they cut to interviews with Bob Dylan. He comments on the various stages in his life throughout the interviews. Dylan discovered the needs and wants of his market and became the voice of his generation, while transforming American folk music from the backrooms of Greenwich Village to a global craze.

Dylan in response to the interviewer saying he was the voice of a generation commented that, “It was already there.” He explained, that he noticed how people would respond positively to various aspects of singers like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and many others. Each singer had certain things that would connect with the audience: the look in their eyes, the tone of voice, the way they picked the strings on their guitar, and combined great singing with meaningful words. What the generation wanted was already out there, but not embodied in one person.

Dylan observed what worked and then let go of the aspects of his act that were not connecting, and adopted all of the elements that were connecting with the audiences. He literally became the voice of a generation by discovering existing realities and combining his intention and creativity with the needs he noticed in his audience. It seemed simple to him. He could see the future success by observing what was happening in the moment. He truly unleashed his genius by living in what I call “Integrative Presence” and connecting with an existing intelligence, which was the flow of cause and effect in his market.

When he returned to Minnesota after only five months in New York City, which was the center of folk music at the time, he had been transformed from an okay singer to a genius. Many from Minnesota commented on what seemed to be a magical transformation. One said, “It was almost like he had sold his soul to the Devil.” But, of course, he didn’t; he was able to let go of what he knew, and be open to a series of insights about what was really impacting the audiences, combined it with his intention, and became the voice of a generation.

To make that transition Dylan had to let go of his past and be totally present. He even changed his last name and often says that, “it really does not matter who I was.” Letting go of the past is the first step to insight and discovery of present reality.

After listening to the story, Steve Ober said, “Exactly, and that just shows what a great filmmaker Martin Scorsese is.” Steve Ober and Dylan have formed the habit of allowing insight: which is as Webster’s says “A clear understanding of the inner nature of some specific thing.” … Which in my view is the gateway to genius.

The Genius Stone mission is to create companies that are living examples of genius at work to create a better place to live. One of our areas of focus is summarized in the following books, which we recommend.

• Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature – Janine M. Benyus
• Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto – Stewart Brand
• The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability – Paul Hawken

As Stewart Brand points out in “Whole Earth Discipline,” major sudden climate change is likely, and will require rapid deployment of innovations discussed in these books. We intend to be the leading edge. Please send us your thoughts, recommended reading and companies who are working in this space who need help.

The word “genius” comes from the Roman God named Genius that according to the mythology of the time was given to everyone at birth.  Your Genius is your connection to divine powers, your guide or muse.  When you are connected to your Genius everything you do is in concert with the divine or supernatural.  Genius is not I.Q. or E.Q., it is a state of mind full of grace that produces an extraordinary moment or life.  Genius is available to everyone, regardless of his or her intelligence or experience.  It supercharges whatever knowledge or skill you might have developed.

People often ask me, “What is it like when your Genius is flowing?  How do you know you are in “The Zone?”  It is important to understand when we are operating at high levels of consciousness and when our Genius is impaired.  Decisions or actions that come out of this state of mind are much more effective.  All of us, even if we might not have noticed it at the time, have experience being in “The Zone”  … or as I call it: “Integrative Presence.”  Integrative Presence is experienced when we let go of all frameworks, both limiting and empowering.  It is a state of high awareness infused with joy, insight and peace.  Results and well-being go up dramatically.  I would like each reader to remember his or her times of “Genius.” I normally facilitate this in a retreat, but if you follow these instructions, you may experience yourself in a state of Integrative Presence or Genius.

Take Three Deep Breaths: sit quietly for two minutes, and then read.

As you read, go back to one of the peak experiences in your life.  Go back to a time when you found yourself flowing with every moment.  You may have been lingering each moment, falling in love and moving to another moment of wonder.  Go to a time when everything worked for you without effort.  Go to a time that was exhilarating and peaceful as one moment flowed into another.  Perhaps you have experienced being in “The Zone” in sports.  Close your eyes and imagine for a few minutes all the times in your life you were at your best.  Allow yourself to fully experience these magical moments.  Pause and remember these peak experiences, savor them deeply. To understand them more write your stories down in your journal.  Notice what drew you into this state and what pulled you out.  Notice the differences between the two states.

What Is This Phenomenon?

It is a natural state of being that some only experience once or twice, others experience often and a rare few integrate into their lives.  We let go of our beliefs and frameworks, and suddenly we see the moment as it is now.  We see and feel every nuance of the flow and we feel part of the life force.  We respond to life instead of thinking, then reacting to, what we think happened.  Everything seems simple and profound, and our being radiates.  It is an innate state that is blocked by the thoughts and fears that are produced by our ego.  Like the Roman God Genius, it is always waiting to infuse our lives.

Many say to me that you cannot maintain this state of mind indefinitely, but if you can maintain it for a minute, an hour or a day, why not more often than not?  Sure the pull of human suffering and confusion draws you back.  But once your realize this state of mind is natural and you have developed practices that unleash your Genius, this state of mind can become more normal.   Imagine Genius being normal, and occasionally you slipped into the state of mind you call normal now, instead of visa versa.

Dramatically Increased Results

The results of these states of mind are much greater than normal, yet we seem to fear them. Why?  That is a long story, which I will write about later.  Most times it happens to individuals, but sometimes it happens to teams.   There are many stories of teams experiencing “The Zone.”  They are, of course, unbeatable when they are in this state of mind.  What would happen to the performance of a business organization if the leadership team could snap into this state of mind at will?  It has been my experience that shifting into this state increases a team’s insight and presence in the marketplace. Imagine an organization whose developmental process has “Unleashing Genius” as the central goal.  This, of course, is the goal of my work.

A Spiritual Feeling

Close your eyes a moment and remember a similar state of mind that was more spiritual.  Mine came when I was kneeling at the altar with my Priest, The Archbishop, and another Priest placed their hands on my head channeling the “Holy Spirit” into me.  It was peaceful, deeply alive, filled with light, timeless and beyond description.

Go back again to a time when you were feeling so clear, that you felt like you were going home. Find a time when you felt connected with the “Great Intelligence,” that feeds life, often hidden beneath our fears, but waits for us always. Imagine a moment when you allowed your Genius to guide you to the life you are meant to live.

Close Your Eyes and Enjoy This Moment- Imagine those spiritual times in your life.

To be able to experience this state of mind at will, we have to practice completely letting go, and our Genius flashes like lazar beams in the night sky of our life. It is important to practice releasing our dark fears, and be comfortable letting this heavenly energy fly through us like an angel.  Take time to write these experiences of light in your journal.  Learn to invite the “Great Spirit” to fill you with the peace that passes all understanding.  Make love to each deep moment every day and night.  Learn to dance with “The Flow of Heaven” passionately, as your being expands.  Commit to creating the future you have always been, but didn’t know was waiting within you. Experience life like a flash of lightning, or a ride on a wild stallion across the desert galloping into the sun, like the wind.  Knowing “The Life Force” within you is vital to your happiness and is the most important thing you can do for your children, community and the World.  Dance with the heartbeat of life, as God met you to do.

Share Your Moments of Genius

Remember, in this and in all areas of life, there is no substitute for practice. To help you practice and help others see this possibility, I request that, you, my readers, please share your moments of Genius as comments.  Tell one or two of your stories.  Tell us all about your peak experiences.  Genius Stone Publishing, my organization, will publish your stories, with full credit given to you, in an up-coming book, on its blog and here on the Huffington Post.

Paul David Walker, CEO & Founder, Genius Stone Partners, www.geniusstone.com

The first organ that develops in the womb is the heart. With all our science we still do not understand exactly what animates its beat. But we do know there is a mysterious force that animates life itself. If you sit quietly in nature you can feel that force. Call it what you will, but it is the life force that animates your heart, which in turn animates your body by flowing oxygenated blood through your veins.

When we are unhappy it seems to me that we are out of rhythm with the flow and beat of life itself. While this force continues to animate us, we put our attention on our thoughts about what has happened and what might happen. Placing our consciousness on these thoughts for too long begins to disconnect us from the life force, and often lead to high levels of stress causing heart attacks, sudden unnatural death, and all manner of illness. We stop dancing to the rhythm of life, which is always there, and our entire system starts to fall apart, as we unplug from our power source. It is a natural warning to get back to the dance of life.

So when you are feeling stressed, remember the life force is always present, bringing you and everything around you to life. It is creating a beautiful diverse array of creation. Do whatever helps you let go of the thinking that is creating your stress, and use your heart to tune yourself with the rhythm and flow of life itself. Let your heart become a tuning fork for the heart beat of life, and like a runner whose breathing and heartbeat synchronizes with the body, you will feel a surge of natural energy.