Gregory Sellers: Ex-Monk / Super Mr. Mom / Zen Skater

@gjsellersThe scene:We are in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the dining room/greenhouse of Gregory’s home for an off-chance, last-minute interview opportunity that almost didn’t happen due to a possible veterinary appointment and a childcare snafu.  But, we made it happen!  Gregory tried despite it all and I was ready and willing whenever he pulled the cord.  These are my favorite kind of interview because they end up being full of discovery, surprises, and delight by all participants - including little ones.  Join us for a rich conversation about leaving the world of a Zen monk for the world of a Zen working dad.Highlights:+ From skateboarding in PA to meditating in NY and Japan+ Spent 7 years in Japan in a Zen Buddhist monastery (age 22-27)+ Ordained as a monk in ’99, left the monastery in ’06+ Relocating to NM to build a Zen temple+ From monk to partner to father+ Fatherhood as THE training just as being a Zen monk was the training+ Charlie (2) and Tobias (1) join us (with a banana snack)+ The REAL life of caring for toddlers…while doing an interview+ Becoming a father at 46+ Ginger Snaps - an appropriate dad snack+ Anyone in a monastery wants an “out”+ There is no “out” from parenthood+ Children as teachers+ The rarity of being self-possessed+ How to live a pure, authentic, high-quality life from the essence of who we are+ The limitation of words in describing the hugeness of our life’s pursuit+ The inquiry of how to live the highest quality lives we can, exactly as we are+ Go back to the source and get real+ Nothing is wrong - but we fear that it is+ Pushing yourself into a very small tight box+ Learning to silence our inner critic+ Courage, fearlessness, and transparency+ Saying yes! - spontaneity takes courage+ Making Zen your own and calling it a practice+ Being a genius master at blocking yourself from the truth+ Your work is right in front of you - wherever you go, there you are+ We don’t get to flake out on life if we want a rewarding one+ The one thing you can’t [afford to] screw up with your kids is being unconditionally loving with them+ We are not our children’s choices+ Fish don’t see water in the same way humans don’t see energy+ Accepting someone exactly as they are - non-judgement+ The goal of “just one day sooner”+ “There’s no salesmanship in truth”+ “If I light up me, I light up you”+ We don’t have to get anyone to change+ Being an extroverted introvert - outgoing AND shy+ Learning to just be reasonable+ Solo retreats are community supported also+ There is no separation between an individual and their community+ Reciprocircle - our newly made-up word+ Everything’s gonna be ok+ Love the things you’re doing - don’t check outA taste:“That’s what love is - is accepting people, appreciating people exactly as they are, exactly how they are.”Favorite saying:“Pop Art is to love things.” - spoken by Andy Warhol in response to being asked, “What is Pop Art?”Support the showThank you for listening!  Please subscribe to support this project.Love, Sagewolf xoxo