The Smoke Trail - The Paradox of Globe Trodding Zen in Bangkok, Katmandu, Sedona, Vancouver and more...
S1 E15, E16, E17
The Smoke Trail: The Paradox of Globe-Trotting Zen in Bangkok, Kathmandu, Sedona, Vancouver, Carefree, and Beyond
Dear Seekers of the Smoke Trail,
The past month has been a whirlwind of movement, a tapestry of moments woven across continents, cultures, and consciousness. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the sacred stupas of Kathmandu, from the red rock vortexes of Sedona to the lush rainforests of Vancouver’s Bowen Island, and culminating in the radiant love of my youngest daughter Talli’s wedding in Desert Mountain, Carefree, Arizona, I’ve lived the paradox of globe-trotting Zen—blending the stillness of divinity realization with the vibrant pulse of leadership in the physical world. This journey, reflected in Episodes 15, 16, and 17 of The Smoke Trail podcast, is a window into being-ness, where spirituality and leadership dance, where the eternal meets the ephemeral, and where relationships, people, and things become sacred mirrors of our inner truth.
Bangkok: The Heartbeat of Intention
In Bangkok, I spoke to YPO leaders about consciousness and forgiveness, standing at the crossroads of Thailand’s ancient Theravada Buddhist wisdom and modern entrepreneurial drive. The city’s frenetic energy—tuk-tuks weaving through neon-lit streets, the scent of street food mingling with incense—mirrored the inner hustle of leaders seeking balance. Episode 16’s Q&A, born from these talks, captures this tension: how do we meditate amidst chaos? We discussed the importance of creating a gap between stimulus and response, allowing emotion-free decisions that anchor us in presence. Here, I learned that intention is the compass, guiding us through boardrooms or temples, as I explored with Rob Follows in Episode 15 from Nepal. Setting a heart-centered purpose, I told them, aligns us with higher truth, a practice that would resonate weeks later at Talli’s wedding.
Kathmandu: The Stupa of Synchronicity
Kathmandu’s Kopan Monastery, the sacred setting of Episode 15, was a pilgrimage to my friend Rob Follows’ spiritual roots. Amid maroon-robed monks and prayer wheels, we revisited his 1996 encounter with Lama Lhundrup, whose teachings on blending spirituality with business struck a chord. Our visit—connecting with monks under Khenrinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi’s guidance, feeling Lama Lhundrup’s presence at his stupa—was a synchronicity that echoed Episode 15’s truth: divine timing guides us. Rob’s affirmations and vision boards, tools to manifest purpose, reminded me that leadership is creation, whether building a company or celebrating a daughter’s union. Kathmandu helped remind me that divinity realization thrives in showing up—be it for a monastery meditation or a family milestone.
Sedona: The Vortex of Reflection
In Sedona’s orbit, I recorded Episode 16 in a lively Prescott park, children and dogs playing as I answered audience questions. The contrast—life’s noise against introspection’s stillness—was poetic, like the red rocks’ silent wisdom. I dove into David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness, explaining how understanding emotional states—from anger (150) to love (500)—transforms leadership, as shared in Episode 16. Journaling became one of my tools for perspective, clarifying responses and influencing teams, a practice that grounded me amidst travel. Sedona’s energy taught me being-ness is presence—witnessing thoughts, preparing me to be the observer in all things, yet choosing when and where to interact.
Vancouver: The Healing of Bowen Island
On Vancouver’s Bowen Island, Ivan Rados’s Wild Zen Retreat, the heart of Episode 17, was a crucible of healing. As an “angel” holding space for men confronting emotional “hairballs,” I saw courage unfold in a rain-kissed forest, sunlight breaking through. Episode 17’s Q&A, recorded in a Vancouver hotel overlooking the spectacular waterfront, reflects this: intentionality in leadership means showing up with love, noticing team struggles, and embracing vulnerability as strength. Sharing my journey beyond heavy drinking, I connected authentically, reducing resistance in all those around me… thus giving them the opportunity to receive whatever they are meant to receive. Bowen Island revealed we are medicine for each other, echoing Liv Fisch’s wisdom in Episode 8, a truth that blossomed at Talli’s wedding.
Carefree: The Celebration of Love
In Desert Mountain, Carefree, Arizona, my youngest daughter Talli’s wedding to Mariano was a joyous crescendo of love, uniting my four adult children—Skye, Cameron, Sierra, and Talli—with their spouses Grace (Cameron), Forrest (Sierra), and now Mariano (Talli) and granddaughter Mila (Grace & Cameron), alongside 80 cherished friends and family - from the LaCrosse, Wallin and Posada families. Under the desert stars, we celebrated Talli’s radiant spirit and Mariano’s devotion, a union that felt like a sacred stupa of its own - bringing two equestrian (and all animal) lovers together. The laughter, tears, and dances mirrored what would follow with the collective healing of Bowen Island, the intentionality of Bangkok, and the synchronicity of Kathmandu. As I walked Talli down the aisle, I saw the Smoke Trail’s essence: leadership is love in action, whether guiding a team or a daughter. Journaling that night, as in Episode 16, I reflected on this paradox—divinity shining through human connection, a moment of pure being-ness.
The Paradox of Globe-Trotting Zen
This month’s seemingodyssey—Bangkok’s bustle, Kathmandu’s monetary serenity, Sedona’s clarity, Vancouver’s healing, and Carefree’s love—embodies my intention for The Smoke Trail’s soul: blending spirituality and leadership, divinity realization and living in the physical world. The paradox is movement and stillness—trotting the globe yet finding Zen in each heartbeat. Endless lines and travel delays, yet really not waiting for anything as I rest peacefully with myself. Episodes 15, 16, and 17 are threads in this tapestry. Relationships—with monks, CEOs, retreat brothers, or my children are mirrors of divinity. Things—stupas, journals, desert sunsets—are sacred when seen consciously. The physical world is our canvas to remember we are spiritual beings awakening to our original bliss.
A Call to Your Trail
This paradox is your invitation, dear seekers. Wherever you roam—city streets or desert mountains—blend spirit and leadership. Try the three-breath pause from before your next challenge. Journal daily, to find clarity. Face your “hairballs” with courage, knowing love dissolves all shadows and fear. Share your vulnerabilities allowing one to forge deeper bonds in reduced resistance. This life, is our shared path, a collective awakening to being-ness amidst people, relationships, and things.
Join me. Reflect on your journeys, your leadership, your loves. Here is to weaving our trails together, celebrating divinity in every moment.
With love and light,
Smoke
It was great to have you visit Land of a Thousand Smiles Smoke! Hope you can spend more time here and feel how Buddhism permeates the culture and society as Thais grow up with its values from before they emerge from the womb.