Are you self-judging?

If you are constantly analyzing, judging, critiquing, and scrutinizing your “self”—STOP. Why? Just BE… There’s no need for excess analysis. There is honestly only one Self. Your true nature. Allow it to BE and be there with it in spirit. Take care of it, nurture it, train it, guide it, and LOVE it.

And always gently bring it back to center when astray. What you are wearing, how you look, how you appear to others is important only through your true nature or put another way, letting your real, inner spiritual and beautiful and true self glow. If you are self-critiquing, you are torturing your Self. There’s no need. Smile. Relax, and flow—seriously.

Set it all go and follow that inner energy that truly knows what’s best. Don’t worry about self fears and self conscious insecurities that are all creating by mind— cultural or genetic dispositions that muddy up our spirit. Grey hairs, crooked teeth, fat bodies, pimples, baldness, and “old clothing” LET THEM GO!

Be proud, be happy, be genuine. Be unique, be special, be different. By judging the false self we limit the true and beautiful power within us. Taking care of one’s Self is important, but do it as you were tending a garden or small child. With gentle care and love. Then you let that go and let the child play and grow and learn.

You let the garden do its magic as God created nature to do— you included!

Describe your ‘zen space’

Describe your ‘zen space.’ Your universe. Your balance. What place is the ideal ‘base’ for you specifically that which when you are in it, without any thoughts, distractions, temptations, or otherwise that may pull you out of that place makes you feel very calm, peaceful, and content? That ‘base’ is your ‘zen space.’ Go back to that and live from that space. 

For example: From me personally “I am a piece of the whole, a part of the universe as it is. Created when I needed to be, with all of my talents, traits, and unique qualities. I am a source of expression, creativity, inspiration, and energy, that loves outwardly, creates magnificently by allowing the force to run through me naturally, and there is nothing that can pull me away from my true center— only false, diluted, and ‘not-Self’ things can try to fool me out of my zen space. I calmly bring my mind, soul, and spirit back to that center, and feel at home. At peace.” 

It’s different for each of us, although many similarities exist. It is completely void of all negative energy, bad-ness, craving, worry, anxiety, sadness, over excitement or otherwise… It is your personal mental ’base.’ Protected by virtue of how you were created, and your most natural state of being and it is from there you must always remember to emanate from. Your personal and natural ‘zen space.’

Sit calmly without any judgement or negative emotions. Put them aside for the moment. Take a few slow, long, deep, and peaceful breaths. Gently close your eyes and feel deeply this space. What feels right to you? Imagine it. Feel it. See it. Are you in a beautiful natural setting, in the woods, on a mountain or island? Or are you in a city, amidst people? Are you big and strong, and simple and calmly flexible? Think of yoru setting, your space, your environment around you in this space. 

Next, imagine very softly your unique gifts. Who you really are. What you express to the universe. It’s very gentle, very simple, and very unique. You are the pinnacle an essence of that— and that which you share with the universe. It’s all positive, and flowing forward. It loves, helps, creates, and helps others. It is a part of the whole, and what and who YOU are. 

This— is your zen space. And it is from here that you will always remember to emanate from. As created by the creator.

So now, you will notice that certain thoughts pop up. Often negative. “I feel sad, I feel worried, anxious, mad, angry, self conscious, etc…” And how these thoughts (which have no physical reality— only energy) start to almost magnetically pull you away from your center. This then makes you feel “not your Self.” Well— that’s because you are lost! You are off-center. Remember, those thoughts, those feelings, those emotions are not you. They are simply energies that take your mind away from your real You. The center is where you live, and where your optimal performance derives. It’s from there you always must flow.

Most children get this. They naturally possess it. They are unhindered by the millions of interactions, thoughts, events, happenings, and otherwise through our lives… They live like nature. Much like all the natural world. The plants, tress, flowers, animals… they all “know” what to do, and do what they know. Only humans and their minds are capable of thinking their way out of their true nature. And it is with awareness, mindfulness, discipline, concentration, and effort that we change this. At times difficult, especially in the beginning. But it becomes much more flowing and natural feeling. And then you begin to help lead others back to their nature.

Believe there is good in the world.

The actual stone I found on a rainy day on a wooded path—under a tree…

Lesson of kindness from the base of a tree

You don’t need to believe in any thing to understand the nature of things and live from your core— your center. I was walking one day talking to a very close friend of mine on the phone. One of my best friends in fact and we have had many great discussions. He tends to generally side on negativity. It doesn’t really match his true Self, being very generous, kind, caring, etc. I think it’s like most of us—what we think we see is often out of fear, frustration, anger, etc…

The news media’s task is to share things that either provide them with better ratings, push their own agendas, and more or less spread gossip and bad news—and often lies. Not always, but most often. So it can be difficult to see the sun behind the clouds, the blue sky behind the dust and dirt. But it’s there. I was walking on a beautiful path in the woods as we spoke. Our discussion was about his moving away to a “safer” place. Understood, as there is a bit of trouble in the town he’s in. But again, from my perspective, not all that much— and we tend see what we believe and focus on. I asked him his belief in percentage of good people vs. bad out of curiosity. He said 90% bad, 10% good. Wow I thought…

That would certainly have an effect on one’s outlook on many things. For me I said, I tend to think more 95% good, 5% not so good. That we all “really” have the ability for good, and that it’s simply what we’re taught and then express that might be “good or bad” actions, thoughts and behaviors that create the issue. In other words, if we all focused on our best and truest Selves we truly would be in a beautiful place. At that exact moment, no lie— under a huge oak tree with rain lightly falling, I saw a bright little object near the base of the tree. As I was talking about kindness on the phone,

I approached this thing and was blown away. It was a small stone, beautifully and colorfully painted with the words “Believe there is good in the world” with a little heart next to it. I picked it up carefully and examined it and was goose-bumped and moved. Someone painted that message and left it. A beautiful intention and act of kindness, found by a stranger, and at the same moment in thinking of it. Coincidence?

Maybe. But nonetheless, these things do happen and evidence that what we think about expands and we attract what we think about— always. What really matters is what’s most important and that all people are born with kindness, and there is in fact— good in the world. A lot of it. Nurture that.

Todd’s Zen

Story of who I am and what I do.

I’m Todd—a 40-year Zen and martial arts enthusiast and practitioner. My mission is simply to share my Zen journey with others, and help as many people as I can. 

I’m committed to helping others achieve their personal best.

I’m not specifically ordained as, or confirmed as a Zen Priest, but my personal passion in Zen, my personal journeys, teachings, and studies have led me to continual enlightenment with so many beautiful life changing experiences and meeting so many beautiful people. I simply want to share that with others, as I continue on my Way…

Join me on my continuing 40-year Zen journey. Discovering beautiful people, methods, cultures, and life changing beliefs. Let me help guide you on your quest—to help you discover your best Self.

“ToddsZen” is really simply my own personal journey and what I’ve found along the way. It’s also what I want to share with others. Think of me like an experienced trail guide. Walk with me and join me on an exciting and enlightening journey.

I am committed to helping others uncover their best Self—their Zen nature… their enlightenment. To live their best life imaginable. By sharing what I’ve learned, as well as inviting others to join my quest, we will get there together. Born an empath, I care dearly about people. And I’ve dedicated my life to personal, professional, and spiritual mastery — and I am committed to helping everyone I can on their way.

I am mesmerized by the Self. Who we really are. And I’m also convinced there’s a “best Self” in each of us. Unique skills, talents, abilities, and traits that make us each not only different but can have a profound and beautiful affect on all of humanity. So as long as it’s recognized, accepted, and expressed.

I help others find their best Self and to live their best life. Personally, professionally, spiritually.

To teach, guide, and inspire others on their path, just as much as I have been and will be committed to personally now for over 40 years.

I’m Todd, I’m a lifetime artist, 30 year creative professional, entrepreneur, and 40 year zen practitioner. I’m fascinated by living our best life and helping others achieve their personal best. I love helping others and want to share my journey with others.

Whether you are an inspired leader, or on similar paths that we can share teachings and stories—or someone who’s really struggling… I want to talk to you.

My personal spiritual journey began as a young child. Catholicism fascinated me and oddly (compared to most kids) I really loved church and felt a connection to spirit—to God, very early. Later in my childhood—the martial arts, and Zen. My early adulthood on to now I am on a quest to not only nurture my personal best, but committed more to helping others reach theirs.

Judo, Ninjitsu, Karate, Boxing, Chi Kung, Gong Fu, Zen, Tai Chi. A one-time Connecticut State Judo champion and Junior Olympian, formally trained in Gong Fu and Tai Chi— I LOVE the martial arts. To this day I am enamored by the masters. Book upon book, video upon video, class upon class on martial arts and specifically masters.  And it’s beyond the fighting—beyond the physical. For me, it’s the mental aspect. The spiritual. It’s that that I love— and committed to as long as I live, as much as to help others attain. Although I believe in the physical as much as the spiritual, and that tending this fleshly body of ours is important as well as defending ones’ Self, and others—thus physical training… I am more interested in the mental aspect. True enlightenment. Mastery of One’s Self. I am committed to that— and to helping others find it, and nurture it.

I am committed to wellness. I am a student of and teacher of general wellness. I am not an expert, not that any one is, but do not hold any kind of official degree or formal training. And while I have respect for all of that, and learn quite a bit from those teachers, most of my own wellness foundation is again based on my own personal exploratory journey. From a young age again, fascinated by nature. Health, wellness… Things like longevity, pure happiness, and high energy people fascinated me. My own relatives that lived near or past 100 were very inspiring. My recognition of the opposite was also critical. People’s suffering. Seeing what people did and what was affecting their own suffering fascinated me. Smoking, drinking, drugs, junk food, lack of exercise… Even seemingly healthy people that suffer intrigue me. How? Why? What can I do to help? I am constantly learning about this stuff. Netflix documentaries, books, and just conversations with thousands of people. From doctors and experts to every day people. And when I hear statistics like this one: Roughly 9 million children PER YEAR have no clean drinkig water— that compels a deep seeded sadness, anger, and drive to figure out ways to want to help.

Over many years I have been enraptured by “self help” gurus. It started with Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, and others, but over the years I have just been plain enthralled by what I “thought” was my own personal desire to succeed… fascinated by book after book, seminar after seminar, and movie, podcast, video, and talk after another… and although my growth has been integral, I came to realize what I really was doing was training. Training and learning so I can help teach, lead, and inspire others. I believe that is what I am supposed to be doing, and that is what I am committed to doing. I will share, teach, and hopefully inspire with everything I have learned, and continue to learn…

For reasons unknown, I found Zen. Always attracted to it, and continue to find remarkable and often miraculous and beautiful aspects to it. My Nana. My grandmother. She was the first one that seemed to resonate with this, and at around 10 years old, I wrote to her and asked her “what we’re here…” “What’s the meaning of life…” “What is Zen?” Since‚ many wonderful conversations and teachings of hers that inspired much of my quest. Many books, a LOT of reading and practicing, and a lot of working with and learning from others—as well as teaching.

My creative nature, and my loving, empathetic and nurturing nature I owe to my mother who always taught—“people first.” She instilled manners, kindness to all others, and to help others. She introduced me to the Catholic Church as a child, and often suggested I might some day me a priest. Her artistic abilities passed on go me. She inspired, taught, and shared all of her creative skills and encouraged my creative growth as well as my inventive, creative, and imaginative personality. All of my many ventures and entrepreneurial endeavors she welcomed and encouraged undyingly. Much of my creative agency success I contribute to my Mom.

And from the Church— specifically, Catholic. That is where I was confirmed, etc… But generally, non-denominational. I have a deep and spiritual appreciation and love for God, the Creator, or whatever you want to call it. My personal view is that there are many beliefs, denominations, cultures, religions, etc… and while some may condone violence, and evil— those I do not resonate with, there are many that are quite beautiful and often point to the same God— spirit, creator, energy, etc… I personally can only choose to be respectful to all beliefs, and follow my Way. Led by my own spirit. I obtained a certification of ministry a few years back— non denominational ordination, so as to personally commit to God, and the work I feel I need to do. More or less “minister” the best in people— of the true Self. 

My male values. My values toward respecting not only all people, but taking care of, protecting, and looking after women and family I got from my Father. As did he support and instill my passion of building, hands-on work, and imagining and doing just about everything.  Most everything I love to do around house, home, automobile, and otherwise “handy” I owe to my father. He was at every Judo meet I ever had, and encouraged my success every step of the way. Always a people person— sense of humor, great story teller, and always a yes man who just plain old enjoys life. I owe that to him.

My two younger sisters was a great joy. We were all very close. And it’s because of them, I came to really understand and cherish family—sisters. And to appreciate women, and all of their beautiful and complex gifts, abilities and characteristics. They each have their own nature—and I get to share that with each of them, as I learn from them both. I am proud to grow spiritually with them each in their own unique way and privileged to love and look after them both. It’s important to me.

My younger brother has been nothing short of my best friend. Best man at my wedding, collaborator, teacher, and contributor to many of my businesses successes, and a great inspiration to me over the years. Spiritually, creatively, and as a friend. My early creative business success included my brother and his inspiring talents. Most of my best laughs have been due to him. I owe much of my happiness in my life to my brother.

My brother in law, equally a dear and very special friend.  Having him as a second brother, though my wife’s family, I took him in as such at around 10. Since, have not only appreciated, valued and loved our relationship, he too has always been considered my best friend. Many laughs, many adventures, and many a talks… we have collaborated on many business ventures, worked on many a hands-on projects, and he has taught me a lot about many different skills. 

Needless to say, and deserved of many pages of text here, but my children are my most valued gifts, as is my wife. My purpose, value, and meaning are all clearly defined by them all. I learn from them almost daily, and cherish each of them in their very unique and beautiful ways. Being a husband and father is indeed my most honored and special honors. I am committed to continuing to be the most and best that I can. They are each my best friend, and teacher.

There are many others worth mentioning in my journey— but it continues to unfold. As it should for all of us. Constant change. Having faith in change, and who and what is around the corner is amazing. My special friend, teacher, and great Master Yang Yang is someone I am eternally grateful for. His teaching, wisdom, friendship, and and inspiration is beyond words and very special to me. 

At a young age I liked helping people. I liked making people laugh, and helping them feel better. To a fault— I wanted everyone to be ok. If someone was in trouble, hurt, upset, or needed something I was always often on the front line. It came naturally. Not that I always acted upon it, and had my hinderances along the way, but through life, have learned that letting go, trusting God and being your truest Self, means letting all of these “natures” be… expressing and living your true nature. We all have it.

Over the years, while some (many) may complain about how bad things are, I personally see the opposite. I see the good. I believe in the good, have faith in God, nature, and of all things and truly believe in the best of things. I haven’t always! I struggled a bit here and there— with many stories to tell. But with error, mistakes, and pitfalls hide the teaching… so I’m grateful for each and every one them. I asked God years ago to help guide me to be his helper— and that’s what I intend on doing. I’m listening intently to that and striving to help others attain their best nature and to join me on this beautiful, adventurous and incredible spiritual journey.

I am committed to helping others uncover their best Self—their Zen nature… their enlightenment. To hear and follow God, the inner voice, the “one who knows.” To live their BEST life imaginable. By sharing what I’ve learned as well as inviting others to join my quest, we will get there together. I care— and I am committed to helping everyone I can on their way.

Join me on my continuing 40-year Zen journey. Discovering beautiful people, methods, cultures, and life changing beliefs. Let me help guide you on your quest—to help you discover your best Self. My Zen— is YOUR Zen.