Zen Entrepreneurship: Walking the Path of the Career Warrior

Rating:
Summary: the wisdom of the man on the mountain
Review: Are you aware of your 'Warrior's Path?' Do you realize the lessons you are learning (your soul's development), and do you know what contribution you are here to make to the world (Your life's work)? Most of us catch glimpses of these things, clues from the spiritual world that we are on the right path, or not. Some of us know what path we are on, what we are there to do and what we are supposed to learn from it. But some of us have no clue and just walk along taking it as it comes.

How can you learn to understand the clues? How can you learn to focus on your true path? Sometimes it takes a teacher guiding us. And sometimes we learn that our life's purpose is to be the teacher. How does this relate to the business world? In "Zen Entrepreneurship," Rizwan Virk shares how he started a company when he was just 23 years old, and how he began his spiritual development, one goal feeding off the other.

Rizwan becomes the teacher in his publishing of this book. I suspect it is part of his life's purpose, sharing what he learned so that others may learn. I also suspect that he will gain more from this work than doing any other work in his life. Since we are speaking of a multi-million dollar business venture, that is saying a good deal.

Relaying his story of meeting with his teacher Ramaswami every month or so and sharing the lessons he learned, we are shown two paths. One deals with business lessons and successful entrepreneurship, and the other deals with spiritual awareness and growth. They both are one in the same though and prove that no matter what we think we are doing there is always a hidden lesson to be learned. One hand does wash the other but they both become clean.

The book is written as a story of interest. It shows the progress and growth of a business and a man. It is an interesting read that can be taken as lightly as a success story or it can be taken as a primer in your own development, complete with lessons and assignments that include watching some classic movies that prove a point or bring home a sentiment. It is a book that will likely be referred to time and time again.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of starting a business and also to people who have an interest in developing their spiritual side. You will come away with insight to yourself, guidance in learning your own particular lessons, and knowledge that you may not be able to acquire anywhere else save the mountaintops of the Himalayas. Rizwan has answered his call to share the knowledge; he has brought the wisdom of the man on the mountain right into your own hands. All you have to do to begin is read the book.

Review by Heather Froeschl of BookReview.com

Rating:
Summary: the wisdom of the man on the mountain
Review: Are you aware of your `Warrior's Path?' Do you realize the lessons you are learning (your soul's development), and do you know what contribution you are here to make to the world (Your life's work)? Most of us catch glimpses of these things, clues from the spiritual world that we are on the right path, or not. Some of us know what path we are on, what we are there to do and what we are supposed to learn from it. But some of us have no clue and just walk along taking it as it comes.

How can you learn to understand the clues? How can you learn to focus on your true path? Sometimes it takes a teacher guiding us. And sometimes we learn that our life's purpose is to be the teacher. How does this relate to the business world? In "Zen Entrepreneurship," Rizwan Virk shares how he started a company when he was just 23 years old, and how he began his spiritual development, one goal feeding off the other.

Rizwan becomes the teacher in his publishing of this book. I suspect it is part of his life's purpose, sharing what he learned so that others may learn. I also suspect that he will gain more from this work than doing any other work in his life. Since we are speaking of a multi-million dollar business venture, that is saying a good deal.

Relaying his story of meeting with his teacher Ramaswami every month or so and sharing the lessons he learned, we are shown two paths. One deals with business lessons and successful entrepreneurship, and the other deals with spiritual awareness and growth. They both are one in the same though and prove that no matter what we think we are doing there is always a hidden lesson to be learned. One hand does wash the other but they both become clean.

The book is written as a story of interest. It shows the progress and growth of a business and a man. It is an interesting read that can be taken as lightly as a success story or it can be taken as a primer in your own development, complete with lessons and assignments that include watching some classic movies that prove a point or bring home a sentiment. It is a book that will likely be referred to time and time again.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of starting a business and also to people who have an interest in developing their spiritual side. You will come away with insight to yourself, guidance in learning your own particular lessons, and knowledge that you may not be able to acquire anywhere else save the mountaintops of the Himalayas. Rizwan has answered his call to share the knowledge; he has brought the wisdom of the man on the mountain right into your own hands. All you have to do to begin is read the book.

Review by Heather Froeschl of BookReview.com

Rating:
Summary: I'll recommend this to my clients!
Review: I met Riz in 2002, at Robert Moss's first Dream Teacher Training. I remember him for his energy, enthusiasm, and humor. His book enthralled me in part because I had met Riz, and his wonderful qualities come through loud and clear. But I am recommending the book primarily because of its genuine depictions of spiritual life in the workplace. The story follows Riz along what he calls the Path of the Career Warrior, from skeptic to brilliant dreamer.

Zen Entrepreneurship can be read on different levels. On one level is the happy story of Riz, the young computer grad, dreaming of a business of his own. He serendipitously found his way into a meditation class and a new way of life, while building an idea into a multi-million dollar company. The second level offers guidance on how to establish and grow a new business, addressing structural, financial and psychological issues in a way that could be helpful to any aspiring entrepreneur. But the third and most important level is the concept of bringing spiritual practice into the workplace, as Riz provides insight and instruction in meditation and dream work that can be useful regardless of a person's career direction.

"A Career Warrior is someone who can harmoniously bring the insights gained through spiritual practice into the every day world. And someone who can take the challenges and insights gained in the wonderful world of work with them into the hidden worlds." (p. 9).

"You are not looking to start their business, you are looking to start your own business. The lessons that you need are different than the lessons that those folks need. Starting a business is not simply a mechanical thing; it's part of your path to personal growth." (p. 37).

I could go on, quoting significant statements for some time, as each chapter contains choice tidbits to ponder and to practise. I have already begun sharing some of these wisdoms with my clients, including a workplace meditation in which the focus is not a mantra or a breathing technique but rather concentration on a task to the exclusion of everything that might intrude. Other tips have helped me focus my own intention and passion.

Riz finishes the book by sharing the dream which inspired him to write about spirituality in the workplace. He began that very night with an essay outlining the principles of what has since blossomed into this book. Since that beginning, he has continued to establish new technology companies, and to write and speak about the Path of the Career Warrior. On his web site, he announces his next endeavor, a book entitled, Dreaming a Business: Using Dreams, Visions, and Sychronicity in the Workplace. He is collecting stories now. If you hurry, there might be room for yours!

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ IN 2004!
Review: This book is a wonderful -- and rare -- combination of business AND spirituality. Rizwan will keep you absorbed in his book as you laugh, learn and reflect.

It is a beautiful story to be enjoyed by an entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur who wants to further understand and explore his/her spiritual side while getting ahead in business.

I couldn't put the book down! It's a rare find and a must read!