Why the Zen Garden at Ryoan-ji is My Computer Background
Last week I was having a conversation with one of my clients. We were chatting about all the nuances of managing people - the parts and pieces, stories, and complex situations that keep cropping up. And we were discussing navigating the labyrinth of interpersonal relationships in their company.
During this, I brought up my computer desktop background, which is an image of the karesansui, or the dry landscape rock garden at Ryoan-ji, a Buddhist temple nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. It's a famous Zen garden, with a history stretching back about 500 years. I asked my client if they were familiar with it and its significance.
This Zen garden is unique. It's home to 15 rocks arranged in groups - one group of five, two groups of three, and two groups of two. These rocks, set in a sea of carefully raked gravel that has been maintained for the last 500 or so years, are placed in a way that you can't see all 15 at once. No matter where you sit, no matter your perspective, you always miss at least one.
But, you might ask, why do I keep this as my desktop background?
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Well, for me, this Zen garden is more than just a serene image; it’s a reminder of a critical lesson. The rocks and their elusive arrangement remind me that there's always something more, something unseen, something yet to be discovered. It's a nudge to stay curious, to keep asking questions, and to move around for different perspectives.
As business owners and leaders, we often face complex situations that can seem overwhelming. In these moments, my desktop background gently prompts me to remember that there's always more than meets the eye. It's a nod to the idea that changing perspectives can reveal new truths, new insights, and new solutions.
So, this Zen garden isn't just my desktop background; it's my daily reminder to keep looking for that hidden 15th rock in every situation, and to never stop exploring all the possibilities that lie beneath the surface. It reminds me to stay open, to keep probing, and to remember that there's always more to the story than what we initially see.
O?wiecone Przywództwo
1 年What I like is that you see the stones from all positions. It means that as a leader you place your people at the right spot, you see them all. I do not mean physically.
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1 年Sturdy McKee - Your Business Coach, wow!!! This is an absolutely fantastic post. I have studied Zen for nearly 35 years. Of course, I still know nothing. I have read about this rock garden many times. You've taken it and delivered a powerful message. Thank you.