In life, we are given the opportunity to live in order to practice our Roles and develop our Qualities through those roles.
The Buddha and Lord Jesus chose roles involving teaching and sharing to help humanity. One discovered the “science of Suffering” and the path or solution for ending Suffering, applicable to everyone without discrimination, based on observing oneself and developing wisdom by practicing the 8 paths to liberation. The other practiced and taught through his own person, spreading love and charity as something immensely important in this world and even the Universe: the power of faith and love. Gautama Buddha's qualities are “Awareness,” “Compassion” and “Even as a human being, you can develop yourself to become a Buddha” (a quality that will inspire many people)… Jesus' qualities are “Love,” “Charity” and “Faith”… When we follow these enlightened beings, what we need to emulate are their Qualities, rather than worship their individual persons. I do not know how many times I have reminded students of these two sayings: “Do not idolize, because an idol too easily becomes… a divine statue,” and “Do not aim for an Idol; aim for an Ideal (of which the idol is merely a representative).” If we only worship the Buddha or Jesus personally, while neglecting and failing to practice their Qualities, we fall into blind Devotion rather than Respectful Faith. Then we ask them to grant us this or that. This is not always bad, but if we keep doing so without practicing the path they taught, it is Superstition. And if we argue over who is superior, which enlightened being is greater, and, to protect what is “Mine,” vigorously reject anything outwardly different and spare no insults, that is Madness.
As long as we live, we continue practicing the necessary qualities, even when we reach 60, 70 or even 100. We should respect older people because old age has experienced youth, whereas youth has yet to experience old age. But what we know is often only a leaf, while what we do not know is like a forest, and what we “do not know that we do not know” (you don’t know what you don’t know) is like all the world's forests combined. So if we think we have experienced and know everything in life, we will develop no further wisdom and may fall into blind devotion rather than reverent faith—or even superstition—in spiritual practice.
Taking on the role of a public speaker changed my life. I am still imperfect and have much work to do on myself, but everything is continually transformed, helping me transform myself and those around me. That is the opportunity this role has given me.
As early as 2011, when I was fortunate enough to serve as executive president of major business chapters present in Vietnam, I began sharing extensively with business owners. Business owners were my main audience. However, there is one “strength that becomes a drawback but is still an advantage”: I look younger and younger. Last year, I looked younger than I did 10 years earlier when I first started my business. And this year I look even younger than last year! So, with such a youthful appearance, people still think my audience is young people and students. In fact, sometimes I need to clarify that young people/students account for only 15% of participants (a proportion we monitor), while the main audience remains business owners, managers, working professionals, and corporate employees.
With entrepreneurs, I do not like to ‘educate’ them into further habits of freeloading, expecting everything free, and disrespecting copyright and intangible intellectual work. I may support them for free for a period, but I will state upfront how long, not forever. I cannot create an entrepreneurial community that only loves free things and keeps complaining and demanding. Decisions must suit each audience and the social, environmental, and national context. Often it is not about right or wrong; I simply do not like that approach. For young audiences, I usually lean more toward social service, such as talks at retreats like this.
