Every so often I like to step back and remove myself from myself and my world and reflect. Daily I get so much confirmation, so much love and energy, so much nourishment and fuel from those who I encounter. All this is a blessing, is the stuff of great fortune or sincere gratitude, brings about humility and makes me so humbled.
We all have unlimited ability, unlimited power to accomplish and achieve whatever it is we wish too. Of course, we all excel in certain areas and many of us in many areas and we all are capable of excelling in whatever it is we wish too, this is my truth! And so it goes on and on and without saying that I feel blessed to be living my passion, my essence, my essential self and being, my truth and too see that in doing so I am able to be a presence and conduit for others, just as they are for me.
I offer my gratitude and extend my thank you's to each and everyone of you for teaching me, the eternal and internal student of life, living, and the constant state of being present! I am so honored to share this path with each and everyone of you and it is you who empowers and inspires me beyond even my own capabilities.
I share this to continue to acknowledge each of yours presence and influence and in doing so hope to encourage you all to keep sharing, exploring, engaging, reaching out, opening up, looking beyond, being true, being unconditional, being the love and light that you are for me and doing this for others.
Together we truly can achieve more and we must believe it is possible, anything is possible and if you are not certain reach out to one of your fellow community members, come to me or whomever and channeling the loving energy, the possibility! See, I am the possibility, I am what can happen when you believe and it is all of you whom help to reaffirm this and I hope that my sharing does the same for you.
We all are masters, we are our own masters and guru's, we are our best teachers because we are the student! Thank you for teaching me life and living, love and giving unconditional, thank you for receiving and sharing, extending and offering, giving and giving so openly without judgement or prejudice, thank you for being your essential self, your essence
I send this with unconditional love and gratitude!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Juggling
I have never been good at juggling. Now, neither have I ever put time into it and practiced, so hard to get at something you do not practice! This being said I have decided to place all the balls I am juggling on the floor and pick them up one at a time! This way I will have the right ball at the right time in the left hand ;-).
The way I figure is I am someone who has a lot of amazing and wonderful things happening and I am going to keep them all because I can and I want too. However, the way I feel for me to best handle this is to be focused on the ball I need to in that present moment and allow the others to lay comfortably still on the ground.
Hey, if I am present and placing my energy and attention on that ball, the one in the present moment/place, then I avoid the potential chaos of trying to juggling multiple balls at once.
Why juggle multiple balls at once, potentially dropping one, or all when you can just pick up the one that you need to in that moment? Why make things more difficult?
The way I figure is I am someone who has a lot of amazing and wonderful things happening and I am going to keep them all because I can and I want too. However, the way I feel for me to best handle this is to be focused on the ball I need to in that present moment and allow the others to lay comfortably still on the ground.
Hey, if I am present and placing my energy and attention on that ball, the one in the present moment/place, then I avoid the potential chaos of trying to juggling multiple balls at once.
Why juggle multiple balls at once, potentially dropping one, or all when you can just pick up the one that you need to in that moment? Why make things more difficult?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Student, the Master or.....
A few days back I wrote a post about the student being ready and the master appearing, how true this is? However, today I ponder another question related to this topic. I am curious, are people of the United States or American Culture (generalization being used) really students?
To go a bit further, I am asking if we truly are students in the sense that we are curious and open as well eager to learn about all things life, especially if we know it will improve us in our areas of interests or expertise?
Personally, this has not always been the case for me. I appeared ready as a student, the master did indeed appear but my ego (and maybe sometimes that of the master as well, I have been on both sides) ego placed some boundaries that in turn presented limitations. This is not too say things were not learned at that point and more importantly you can see that I am and continue to learn from those instances even if in hindsight (it does not necessarily matter when, because if you are truly a student you can and will learn in time). However, I realize that I was not living up to my potential because as I student I had the false precepts, or at least ideas that I had a lot of knowledge, a lot of information and therefore I wanted to share mine more than just empty my cup and come from a beginners mind thus placing no boundaries.
So, I ask, are we really great students. I have been in the position to be both student and master and quite often as of recent. I have found that depending on the level of the student, sometimes they truly are not ready for what the master has to offer (as mentioned above in my own personal experience as a student). playing the role of master in this I find that I truly am always a student and thus in turn learning how to become an even better master.
It is my believe that knowledge and information does not make you a master, it is truly what you do with it and how you use it that differentiates you from others. As I open myself to the unlimited possibilities I begin to see deeper and more clearly the distinction and the path for mastery. The true mastery is of the self and from there learning how to translate and communicate this effectively to your audience, whomever it be. True masters have a way, a way of no way, a formless form, a beginners mind, an empty cup, an egoless ego in which they offer, share, give, recieve, experience, learn, move, function, be!
One can only practice and train moment by moment, day by day to become a master. And it is through being a student and being in a constant state of living and freedom of ego that the masters becomes....
Some things to ponder by Bruce Lee:
"I have come to discover through earnest personal experience and dedicated learning that ultimately the greatest help if self-help; that there is no other help but self-help—doing one’s best, dedicating one’s self wholeheartedly to a given task, which happens to have no end but is an ongoing process. I have done a lot during these years of my process. A swell in my process, I have changed from self-image actualization to self-actualization, from blindly following propaganda, organized truths, etc. to searching internally for the cause of my ignorance."
"An instructor should exemplify the things he seeks to teach. It will be of great advantage if you yourself can do all you ask of your students and more."
Emptiness the starting point. — In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all you preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty.
Life is wide, limitless. There is no border, no frontier
Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning.
What we are after is the ROOT and not the branches. The root is the real knowledge; the branches are surface knowledge. Real knowledge breeds "body feel" and personal expression; surface knowledge breeds mechanical conditioning and imposing limitation and squelches creativity.
Concepts vs. self-actualization. — Instead of dedicating your life to actualize a concept of what you should be like, ACTUALIZE YOURSELF. The process of maturing does not mean to become a captive of conceptualization. It is to come to the realization of what lies in our innermost selves.
To go a bit further, I am asking if we truly are students in the sense that we are curious and open as well eager to learn about all things life, especially if we know it will improve us in our areas of interests or expertise?
Personally, this has not always been the case for me. I appeared ready as a student, the master did indeed appear but my ego (and maybe sometimes that of the master as well, I have been on both sides) ego placed some boundaries that in turn presented limitations. This is not too say things were not learned at that point and more importantly you can see that I am and continue to learn from those instances even if in hindsight (it does not necessarily matter when, because if you are truly a student you can and will learn in time). However, I realize that I was not living up to my potential because as I student I had the false precepts, or at least ideas that I had a lot of knowledge, a lot of information and therefore I wanted to share mine more than just empty my cup and come from a beginners mind thus placing no boundaries.
So, I ask, are we really great students. I have been in the position to be both student and master and quite often as of recent. I have found that depending on the level of the student, sometimes they truly are not ready for what the master has to offer (as mentioned above in my own personal experience as a student). playing the role of master in this I find that I truly am always a student and thus in turn learning how to become an even better master.
It is my believe that knowledge and information does not make you a master, it is truly what you do with it and how you use it that differentiates you from others. As I open myself to the unlimited possibilities I begin to see deeper and more clearly the distinction and the path for mastery. The true mastery is of the self and from there learning how to translate and communicate this effectively to your audience, whomever it be. True masters have a way, a way of no way, a formless form, a beginners mind, an empty cup, an egoless ego in which they offer, share, give, recieve, experience, learn, move, function, be!
One can only practice and train moment by moment, day by day to become a master. And it is through being a student and being in a constant state of living and freedom of ego that the masters becomes....
Some things to ponder by Bruce Lee:
"I have come to discover through earnest personal experience and dedicated learning that ultimately the greatest help if self-help; that there is no other help but self-help—doing one’s best, dedicating one’s self wholeheartedly to a given task, which happens to have no end but is an ongoing process. I have done a lot during these years of my process. A swell in my process, I have changed from self-image actualization to self-actualization, from blindly following propaganda, organized truths, etc. to searching internally for the cause of my ignorance."
"An instructor should exemplify the things he seeks to teach. It will be of great advantage if you yourself can do all you ask of your students and more."
Emptiness the starting point. — In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all you preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty.
Life is wide, limitless. There is no border, no frontier
Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning.
What we are after is the ROOT and not the branches. The root is the real knowledge; the branches are surface knowledge. Real knowledge breeds "body feel" and personal expression; surface knowledge breeds mechanical conditioning and imposing limitation and squelches creativity.
Concepts vs. self-actualization. — Instead of dedicating your life to actualize a concept of what you should be like, ACTUALIZE YOURSELF. The process of maturing does not mean to become a captive of conceptualization. It is to come to the realization of what lies in our innermost selves.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Ten Commandments
Osho's "Ten Commandments"
In 1970, when he was still known as Acharya Rajneesh, Osho was asked about his "Ten Commandments". In his letter of reply, Osho noted that it was a difficult matter, because he was against any kind of commandment, but "just for fun" agreed to set out the following
“
Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also.
There is no God other than life itself.
Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
Love is prayer.
To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
Life is now and here.
Live wakefully.
Do not swim – float.
Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.
”
He underlined numbers 3, 7, 9 and 10.The ideas expressed in these Commandments have remained a constant leitmotif in his movement.
This particular information comes from spiritual guru Osho. I found this off of Wikipedia and found it so fascinating, deep, and thought provoking that I had too share. All I can say is hmmmm
In 1970, when he was still known as Acharya Rajneesh, Osho was asked about his "Ten Commandments". In his letter of reply, Osho noted that it was a difficult matter, because he was against any kind of commandment, but "just for fun" agreed to set out the following
“
Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also.
There is no God other than life itself.
Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
Love is prayer.
To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
Life is now and here.
Live wakefully.
Do not swim – float.
Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.
”
He underlined numbers 3, 7, 9 and 10.The ideas expressed in these Commandments have remained a constant leitmotif in his movement.
This particular information comes from spiritual guru Osho. I found this off of Wikipedia and found it so fascinating, deep, and thought provoking that I had too share. All I can say is hmmmm
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Are You????
What is your potential?
Are you willing to find out?
Are you willing to explore the depths of your soul, the depths of the meaning of life, the depths of your relationship to all things including your truth, your essence?
Are you willing to go where you have never gone before?
Are you willing to be humble and open enough to explore?
Are you willing to say I do not know but I am here to find out?
Are you willing to be a student?
Are you willing to risk 'failure', "humiliation", 'frustration'?
Are you willing to experience life for the purposes of exploring human potential without any ties to the outcome other than to know just by stepping up and doing it, being open to it, being willing to explore you have already done more than you ever have before?
Where are you willing to travel, can you take the path least taken?
Are you willing to live in your essence, in your truth, in your essential state, defying conventional wisdom and finding your way, the way of no way, the formless form?
Are you willing to stretch and be flexible, too see beyond the minds eye, beyond the tangible, beyond what your thoughts are?
I am and I invite you to join me on this journey and explore with me as I explore with you and we share and discover together our human potential and the absolute beauty that exists in EVERYTHING!
Are you willing to find out?
Are you willing to explore the depths of your soul, the depths of the meaning of life, the depths of your relationship to all things including your truth, your essence?
Are you willing to go where you have never gone before?
Are you willing to be humble and open enough to explore?
Are you willing to say I do not know but I am here to find out?
Are you willing to be a student?
Are you willing to risk 'failure', "humiliation", 'frustration'?
Are you willing to experience life for the purposes of exploring human potential without any ties to the outcome other than to know just by stepping up and doing it, being open to it, being willing to explore you have already done more than you ever have before?
Where are you willing to travel, can you take the path least taken?
Are you willing to live in your essence, in your truth, in your essential state, defying conventional wisdom and finding your way, the way of no way, the formless form?
Are you willing to stretch and be flexible, too see beyond the minds eye, beyond the tangible, beyond what your thoughts are?
I am and I invite you to join me on this journey and explore with me as I explore with you and we share and discover together our human potential and the absolute beauty that exists in EVERYTHING!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
There is no such thing as a style if....
All too often we get caught, hung up, trapped in names, words, styles, etc. As Bruce Lee says himself of his own style, Jeet Ku Do, "it's just a name; don't fuss over it. There's no such thing as a style if you understand the roots of combat."
How true is this of life. If we just look at the roots, the depth of things beyond the surface, beyond the eye to the spirit and soul of the matter, the heart of the matter unlimited potential exists. We could then move beyond the ego, beyond wrong or right and have more conducive conversation and communication serving as an opportunity and portal for all of us to learn, grow, share, experience. We could then detach from our ideas and thoughts of how things should be based on preconcieved notions and begin to be open the experience and therefore flow with life being dynamic and fluid, like life itself.
This is the way of no way, the formless form and reaches beyond the tangible to those things that we call or think of as the intangible maybe even the unimaginable.
How true is this of life. If we just look at the roots, the depth of things beyond the surface, beyond the eye to the spirit and soul of the matter, the heart of the matter unlimited potential exists. We could then move beyond the ego, beyond wrong or right and have more conducive conversation and communication serving as an opportunity and portal for all of us to learn, grow, share, experience. We could then detach from our ideas and thoughts of how things should be based on preconcieved notions and begin to be open the experience and therefore flow with life being dynamic and fluid, like life itself.
This is the way of no way, the formless form and reaches beyond the tangible to those things that we call or think of as the intangible maybe even the unimaginable.
Monday, February 16, 2009
When the Student is ready, the master will appear
I must be ready because the master or masters keep appearing. I have not always been present nor aware of this but in hind sight I see clearly this has indeed been the case, starting back to my teens when my sisters boyfriend taught me essentially the beginning of weight lifting or bodybuilding and continues to present day.
This concept of course works both ways, with people coming to learn from me, but what they may or may not realize is that I learn as much or more from them than maybe they do from me. I love 'clients' because they are such great teachers.
As I continue to delve deeper into study and practice I find that opportunities are abound and boundless. People keep opening doors to amazing teachers, masters, styles, concepts, methods, etc.
Currently I have the pleasure of studying under a few such people and there are a few on the horizon I am and will be intersecting with and of course those that I am currently unaware of who also will cross paths with me.
For me as a teacher, a trainer, a coach, an educator I find that the strength of my practice, my curious nature to learn the essence of various forms related to what I am doing are key! I find that the better and more I am a student and the deeper my practice of what I am studying the more I offer to those whom I encounter as their master, sensei, guru, teacher, coach, trainer, etc...whatever you want to call me or it.
For example, I am looking deeper into various forms of yoga such as Shadow Yoga, Iyengar, YogicArts (Duncan Wong), and even Vinyasa (especially since this is what I am teaching) and then examining through practice and play how it all integrates and then of course sharing this with others....AWESOME
Then there is the martial arts as I have begun my practice and study of Aikido and now I am being presented with a future opportunity to study Qi Gong with a master through another Master I know. Then taking Shadow Yoga and YogicArts and Budokon which are both styles that incorporate various aspects of Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts into a yoga practice (this is cool that people already are exploring this integrative model.
To take things even deeper I am learning how all the energy and synergy of all these modalities incorporate with Kettlebells and even the powerlifts. I am beginning to explore the human movement potential on levels beyond the eye and words into the depths of energetics and beyond. All these modalities and these masters/teachers are opening doors to another realm of movement and depth that truly is unleashing human potential
The Lab, where we are constantly exploring Human Potential...it continues to evolve, it is only the beginning
This concept of course works both ways, with people coming to learn from me, but what they may or may not realize is that I learn as much or more from them than maybe they do from me. I love 'clients' because they are such great teachers.
As I continue to delve deeper into study and practice I find that opportunities are abound and boundless. People keep opening doors to amazing teachers, masters, styles, concepts, methods, etc.
Currently I have the pleasure of studying under a few such people and there are a few on the horizon I am and will be intersecting with and of course those that I am currently unaware of who also will cross paths with me.
For me as a teacher, a trainer, a coach, an educator I find that the strength of my practice, my curious nature to learn the essence of various forms related to what I am doing are key! I find that the better and more I am a student and the deeper my practice of what I am studying the more I offer to those whom I encounter as their master, sensei, guru, teacher, coach, trainer, etc...whatever you want to call me or it.
For example, I am looking deeper into various forms of yoga such as Shadow Yoga, Iyengar, YogicArts (Duncan Wong), and even Vinyasa (especially since this is what I am teaching) and then examining through practice and play how it all integrates and then of course sharing this with others....AWESOME
Then there is the martial arts as I have begun my practice and study of Aikido and now I am being presented with a future opportunity to study Qi Gong with a master through another Master I know. Then taking Shadow Yoga and YogicArts and Budokon which are both styles that incorporate various aspects of Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts into a yoga practice (this is cool that people already are exploring this integrative model.
To take things even deeper I am learning how all the energy and synergy of all these modalities incorporate with Kettlebells and even the powerlifts. I am beginning to explore the human movement potential on levels beyond the eye and words into the depths of energetics and beyond. All these modalities and these masters/teachers are opening doors to another realm of movement and depth that truly is unleashing human potential
The Lab, where we are constantly exploring Human Potential...it continues to evolve, it is only the beginning
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Love Unconditional
All these years of love in my life and it was not until recently that I believe I broke into the love circle. What do I mean? Well, throughout all the years and my experience I finally took what had been an idea and concept and turned it into an actual state of being. What is that state of being you ask, I say unconditional love!
Yes, Unconditional Love of self first and foremost. Why me first and foremost because life begins with you and ends with you! If you do not love yourself completely and without condition then in my believe you cannot do so for any other!
So what is it, unconditional love?
*A it is your own love for yourself as mentioned above
*It is being kind, compassionate and respectful to yourself and this extends to others
*It is having gratitude for yourself and life again extending this to having gratitude for others
*It is being non judgmental of yourself and others.
*It is being and show love because it is who you are not what you do or expect in return
*It is living and being your essence!
*It is being true, honest, acting with integrity and character.
*It is forgiveness
*It is appreciation and acceptance for what is, whole heartedly
*It is heart conscious
I can keep going on but the gist of it is as listed above. This is reflective of my philosophy and it works for me :-) and this is why I share it. I will say this all things love and everything else comes together when you have unconditional love of self!
Enjoy life, live life, be alive and enjoy the love of yourself and others. Teach, show, people that true love is possible, unconditional love is possible. It begins with YOU!
Yes, Unconditional Love of self first and foremost. Why me first and foremost because life begins with you and ends with you! If you do not love yourself completely and without condition then in my believe you cannot do so for any other!
So what is it, unconditional love?
*A it is your own love for yourself as mentioned above
*It is being kind, compassionate and respectful to yourself and this extends to others
*It is having gratitude for yourself and life again extending this to having gratitude for others
*It is being non judgmental of yourself and others.
*It is being and show love because it is who you are not what you do or expect in return
*It is living and being your essence!
*It is being true, honest, acting with integrity and character.
*It is forgiveness
*It is appreciation and acceptance for what is, whole heartedly
*It is heart conscious
I can keep going on but the gist of it is as listed above. This is reflective of my philosophy and it works for me :-) and this is why I share it. I will say this all things love and everything else comes together when you have unconditional love of self!
Enjoy life, live life, be alive and enjoy the love of yourself and others. Teach, show, people that true love is possible, unconditional love is possible. It begins with YOU!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Form and Flow
"The other weakness is, when clans are formed, the people of a clan will hold their kind of martial art as the only truth and do not dare to reform or improve it. Thus they are confined in their own tiny little world. Their students become machines which imitate martial art forms."
Form is essential, it is a key element a student must know and understand. However, out of form evolves flow is this is the truth of the form, the formless form that is adapted and improved upon, explored and researched as to have no way, to have no limitation. Learn your forms, understand how the form is applied, etc. and then develop your flow. As Bruce Lee goes onto further say "Mere technical knowledge is only the beginning of Kung Fu. To master it, one must enter into the spirit of it." The spirit is evident in the flow, in your interpretation as relevant to the application. The flow is in respect to the form and may look exactly like the actual form to the eye but the flow truly is something beyond the minds eye. Look beyond the mere science and technical merits into the depths of the wisdom behind it all!
"Use no way as way; use no limitation as limitation."
Form is essential, it is a key element a student must know and understand. However, out of form evolves flow is this is the truth of the form, the formless form that is adapted and improved upon, explored and researched as to have no way, to have no limitation. Learn your forms, understand how the form is applied, etc. and then develop your flow. As Bruce Lee goes onto further say "Mere technical knowledge is only the beginning of Kung Fu. To master it, one must enter into the spirit of it." The spirit is evident in the flow, in your interpretation as relevant to the application. The flow is in respect to the form and may look exactly like the actual form to the eye but the flow truly is something beyond the minds eye. Look beyond the mere science and technical merits into the depths of the wisdom behind it all!
"Use no way as way; use no limitation as limitation."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Strength and Being Strong?
What does it mean to be Strong or have strength? Is this not a fascinating and deep conversational piece or what? I mean just think about it for a moment and what comes to mind? Strength and being strong are such dynamic and loaded terms and can be applied across a broad based spectrum of life.
Now, I would say I am strong and have strength just by definitions. I would also say that I have not and am know where near my potential. This being said I am in a constant of learning and exploration just by osmosis and by living and breathing each and everyday. In this process, through this journey I feel my strength and my being strong increasing each and every day, every moment of life!
Since strength and the concept of being strong is so broad based I am eager to explore this on various levels and because of this I am beginning to see these concepts in such a new light, one that is so much brighter and ever present than before. Strength and being strong to me are more internal concepts and I am beginning to understand on another level of consciousness how my strength is one of internal not so much external, it just shows up this way. As one might say my strength is very raw.
Now, enough bragging about myself, but as a student, coach, teacher and trainer it is important to use myself and my practice as a labroratory for exploration and testing. Since I have been doing this for 34 years (not all consciously or at least I think not) I am truly gaining a level of education that is unprecedented for myself and one that leaves me humbled that I am able to have the awareness around what is truly 'happening'.
To take it too another level I am beginning to be able to convene this information to others and coach, teach and train them to realize their internal strength, to discover it, to unleash and then to take it to the external stuff. They in turn do what they wish with this as they should. I am certain that all of them will take what they need for themselves it will show up in their life as it is meant to be!
As I become a martial artist, yogi, etc. and learn the arts and science behind these philosophies and movement dynamics the internal aspect becomes so much more apparent and the real truth behind the strength of these and many other concepts of life and living.
To be strong is what it is and strength is what it is. The numbers are cool but the internal is true!
Now, I would say I am strong and have strength just by definitions. I would also say that I have not and am know where near my potential. This being said I am in a constant of learning and exploration just by osmosis and by living and breathing each and everyday. In this process, through this journey I feel my strength and my being strong increasing each and every day, every moment of life!
Since strength and the concept of being strong is so broad based I am eager to explore this on various levels and because of this I am beginning to see these concepts in such a new light, one that is so much brighter and ever present than before. Strength and being strong to me are more internal concepts and I am beginning to understand on another level of consciousness how my strength is one of internal not so much external, it just shows up this way. As one might say my strength is very raw.
Now, enough bragging about myself, but as a student, coach, teacher and trainer it is important to use myself and my practice as a labroratory for exploration and testing. Since I have been doing this for 34 years (not all consciously or at least I think not) I am truly gaining a level of education that is unprecedented for myself and one that leaves me humbled that I am able to have the awareness around what is truly 'happening'.
To take it too another level I am beginning to be able to convene this information to others and coach, teach and train them to realize their internal strength, to discover it, to unleash and then to take it to the external stuff. They in turn do what they wish with this as they should. I am certain that all of them will take what they need for themselves it will show up in their life as it is meant to be!
As I become a martial artist, yogi, etc. and learn the arts and science behind these philosophies and movement dynamics the internal aspect becomes so much more apparent and the real truth behind the strength of these and many other concepts of life and living.
To be strong is what it is and strength is what it is. The numbers are cool but the internal is true!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Play session at Ken Blacks Garage of Strength
Just a short play session with Ken's Stones and steel log. Never done a stone before and Ken encouraged I give it a go. After spending the day listening to Louie Simmons I was feeling strength through Osmosis and decided to give it a try. The stones weigh 170 and 240 lbs and let me say they are truly odd and the difference is huge in terms of weight and skill.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Governors Challenge for Kids
Hello All,
www.calgovcouncil.org/challenge is a program for the youth of California. Real simple, sign-up and record your workouts, all you need is 30-60 minutes 3 days a week. A nice way to support the schools and kids in your area.
www.calgovcouncil.org/challenge is a program for the youth of California. Real simple, sign-up and record your workouts, all you need is 30-60 minutes 3 days a week. A nice way to support the schools and kids in your area.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
3 Stages of Cultivation
The Three Stages of Cultivation - according to Bruce Lee
The first is the primitive stage. It is a stage of original ignorance in which a person knows nothing about the art of combat. In a fight, he simply blocks and strikes instinctively without a concern for what is right and wrong. Of course, he may not be so-called scientific, but, nevertheless, being himself, his attacks or defenses are fluid.
The second stage—the stage of sophistication, or mechanical stage—begins when a person starts his training. He is taught the different ways of blocking, striking, kicking, standing, breathing, and thinking—unquestionably, he has gained the scientific knowledge of combat, but unfortunately his original self and sense of freedom are lost, and his action no longer flows by itself. His mind tends to freeze at different movements for calculations and analysis, and even worse, he might be called “intellectually bound” and maintain himself outside of the actual reality. ·
The third stage—the stage of artlessness, or spontaneous stage—occurs when, after years of serious and hard practice, the student realizes that after all, gung fu is nothing special. And instead of trying to impose on his mind, he adjusts himself to his opponent like water pressing on an earthen wall. It flows through the slightest crack. There is nothing to try to do but try to be purposeless and formless, like water. All of his classical techniques and standard styles are minimized, if not wiped out, and nothingness prevails. He is no longer confined.
Bruce Lee is wise and his wisdom lives. This wisdom applies in all aspects of life, just substitute words and you will find it to have truth. The wisdom is not in the knowing but in the freedom of flowing through life with the knowledge in hand but not controlling.
The first is the primitive stage. It is a stage of original ignorance in which a person knows nothing about the art of combat. In a fight, he simply blocks and strikes instinctively without a concern for what is right and wrong. Of course, he may not be so-called scientific, but, nevertheless, being himself, his attacks or defenses are fluid.
The second stage—the stage of sophistication, or mechanical stage—begins when a person starts his training. He is taught the different ways of blocking, striking, kicking, standing, breathing, and thinking—unquestionably, he has gained the scientific knowledge of combat, but unfortunately his original self and sense of freedom are lost, and his action no longer flows by itself. His mind tends to freeze at different movements for calculations and analysis, and even worse, he might be called “intellectually bound” and maintain himself outside of the actual reality. ·
The third stage—the stage of artlessness, or spontaneous stage—occurs when, after years of serious and hard practice, the student realizes that after all, gung fu is nothing special. And instead of trying to impose on his mind, he adjusts himself to his opponent like water pressing on an earthen wall. It flows through the slightest crack. There is nothing to try to do but try to be purposeless and formless, like water. All of his classical techniques and standard styles are minimized, if not wiped out, and nothingness prevails. He is no longer confined.
Bruce Lee is wise and his wisdom lives. This wisdom applies in all aspects of life, just substitute words and you will find it to have truth. The wisdom is not in the knowing but in the freedom of flowing through life with the knowledge in hand but not controlling.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Really?, Wow pretty cool
The Scientist, Physiologist, Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher and Artist. This is what I be. Recently I have been reflecting on what it is I "DO" And these words in a nutshell describe as only words can what I "DO"
As a coach, teacher, trainer, and guide my approach is based on the fundamental concepts and principles of these above 'classroom' subjects. They provide the framework for how I architect my business. Each of these plays a role in and every session throughout each and every moment. They are the basis of all my work and life philosophies related to teaching the art of movement and stillness in Life and Living!
Wow, more to come but this is step in the process of understanding how all these play a larger role in who I am, what I do, who I be, what I study, how I see, how I move, how I perform and most important how I translate, interpret and communicate in life and of course in my 'business'
One may ask are my life and business any different, and I would gander to say nope! :-)
The way of no way keeps on flowing!
As a coach, teacher, trainer, and guide my approach is based on the fundamental concepts and principles of these above 'classroom' subjects. They provide the framework for how I architect my business. Each of these plays a role in and every session throughout each and every moment. They are the basis of all my work and life philosophies related to teaching the art of movement and stillness in Life and Living!
Wow, more to come but this is step in the process of understanding how all these play a larger role in who I am, what I do, who I be, what I study, how I see, how I move, how I perform and most important how I translate, interpret and communicate in life and of course in my 'business'
One may ask are my life and business any different, and I would gander to say nope! :-)
The way of no way keeps on flowing!
Monday, February 02, 2009
The Art of Practice
Practice, the path to potential mastery. Yes, potential because practice alone does not determine one's ability to become a master. Being a master requires an in depth understanding of all the aspects that are being learned and experienced during practice.
What I encourage is a daily practice of the science and the art behind and within whatever it is you are doing. For instance, myself I practice the daily art of living and I do so through the experience of movement arts like yoga, aikido, kettlebells, strength training, philosophy and so much more. It is in these practices that I explore and study life and the integration of the science, art and philosophy of each art and the art of living!
In practice I pay close attention to all the details, constantly feeling, being, thinking, anaylzing, inquiring, exploring, discovering, experiencing all that I can within each and every moment, movement, etc. My level of awareness, focus, concentration, and consciousness are at their peak. I do this every day, every practice, every moment to the best of my abilities in the present state I exist.
The key then is to take all this knowledge and information and turn it into wisdom, so when I actually have to perform I do not have to think, I just do, I just be, it is just a conscious choice action!
A very important aspect of making this all come together so it is just an normal action, something that is truly mindful yet thoughtless is how you practice. When practicing I say less is more, slow is fast, soft is hard, stillness is movement, effortless is effort. This translates into practice with perfection (as you know it), practice with a great attention to detail doing as perfect as possible. And, to ensure you are doing this, learn what it means, what it looks like to be perfect in whatever it is you wish to excel and practice.
Often we move way to fast and 'try' to do way to much that we end up 'trying' and end up underachieving (or as I say achieving exactly what you are supposed based on your choice actions, not your intentions, not your wishes, goals, dreams, etc. but how you are actually moving through life). Therefore a key is in your daily practice to have a clear intention and live up to that and make sure your actions support your intentions, dreams, goals, etc.
This is not only possible but is happening. People are living the life they intend, the are living their dreams and accomplishing their goals and maybe you are one of them, I certainly would love to hear that you are, I am!
Practice never ends, never stops, it is in a constant state of motion. Life does not stop, it is in a constant state of motion, so ride the wave, find your balance, feel the water, be the water, flow with life and enjoy the sun! If you practice this, you will indeed be this!
What I encourage is a daily practice of the science and the art behind and within whatever it is you are doing. For instance, myself I practice the daily art of living and I do so through the experience of movement arts like yoga, aikido, kettlebells, strength training, philosophy and so much more. It is in these practices that I explore and study life and the integration of the science, art and philosophy of each art and the art of living!
In practice I pay close attention to all the details, constantly feeling, being, thinking, anaylzing, inquiring, exploring, discovering, experiencing all that I can within each and every moment, movement, etc. My level of awareness, focus, concentration, and consciousness are at their peak. I do this every day, every practice, every moment to the best of my abilities in the present state I exist.
The key then is to take all this knowledge and information and turn it into wisdom, so when I actually have to perform I do not have to think, I just do, I just be, it is just a conscious choice action!
A very important aspect of making this all come together so it is just an normal action, something that is truly mindful yet thoughtless is how you practice. When practicing I say less is more, slow is fast, soft is hard, stillness is movement, effortless is effort. This translates into practice with perfection (as you know it), practice with a great attention to detail doing as perfect as possible. And, to ensure you are doing this, learn what it means, what it looks like to be perfect in whatever it is you wish to excel and practice.
Often we move way to fast and 'try' to do way to much that we end up 'trying' and end up underachieving (or as I say achieving exactly what you are supposed based on your choice actions, not your intentions, not your wishes, goals, dreams, etc. but how you are actually moving through life). Therefore a key is in your daily practice to have a clear intention and live up to that and make sure your actions support your intentions, dreams, goals, etc.
This is not only possible but is happening. People are living the life they intend, the are living their dreams and accomplishing their goals and maybe you are one of them, I certainly would love to hear that you are, I am!
Practice never ends, never stops, it is in a constant state of motion. Life does not stop, it is in a constant state of motion, so ride the wave, find your balance, feel the water, be the water, flow with life and enjoy the sun! If you practice this, you will indeed be this!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Relationship
How do you relate? This question applies in EVERY aspect of our life. Often when people discuss relationship it is referred to along the lines of partnership, significant other, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend terms. Of course this is a significant relationship in our lives or these if you have walked in my shoes :-).
However when I reflect on this term, relationship, I look at the deeper aspects of what it means to relate, be in relation too, or have a relationship with. SPecifically, I look at how my relationship is with myself, my being, my spirit, my soul. As a part of this I break it down into parts in order to gain a deeper and fuller perspective on the whole.
One of the parts I take time a meditate on is my relationship with my thoughts. If we truly are what we think we are then I find it is essential that I have a unconditional loving, compassionate, kind, respectful, gracious, appreciative, honest, humorous, fun, integrity filled relationship with these thoughts. They are what they are and they flow as they do. It is up too me to decide what role they play in my daily practice of living and in my relation to all things.
One may wonder how I do this, how I nurture and nourish this relationship. Simple I live each day with the words I described above as the way of my conscious choice action, as my daily practice. And, if I for some reason 'slip and fall' I pick myself up, meditate, reflect, and learn from the opportunity. Yes, it is that simple becuase it is a choice, one I make consciously, one I have learned through life experiences, study, practice, relationships with various people, and by incorporating a daily practice of meditation and just slowing down in life and taking life one step at a time.
I encourage myself and others to truly stop and listen, observe and see how they are being in the present moment, how they are acting in their lives.
*Is what you do, are your relationships with others serving you?
*More important, how is your relationship with yourself?
*Do you have love and compassion for yourself? Do have a 'positive' self image, self perception?
*Do you talk bad about yourself to people or others for that matter?
*Do you treat yourself with respect and gratitude?
*Do you realize you are only human and therefore only know what you open yourself up to learning, seeing, doing, being, experiencing, sharing?
*Do you take yourself too serious, so much so that you beat yourself up for every perceived failure, mistake, etc?
YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN, Stay and Be Human(e).
These questions, life in general is a mirror unto yourself and your relation with yourself, your being, your body, your mind, your thoughts, your EVERYTHING?
My word of advice, Unconditional, unconditional everything and that starts with what love really is, yourself!
However when I reflect on this term, relationship, I look at the deeper aspects of what it means to relate, be in relation too, or have a relationship with. SPecifically, I look at how my relationship is with myself, my being, my spirit, my soul. As a part of this I break it down into parts in order to gain a deeper and fuller perspective on the whole.
One of the parts I take time a meditate on is my relationship with my thoughts. If we truly are what we think we are then I find it is essential that I have a unconditional loving, compassionate, kind, respectful, gracious, appreciative, honest, humorous, fun, integrity filled relationship with these thoughts. They are what they are and they flow as they do. It is up too me to decide what role they play in my daily practice of living and in my relation to all things.
One may wonder how I do this, how I nurture and nourish this relationship. Simple I live each day with the words I described above as the way of my conscious choice action, as my daily practice. And, if I for some reason 'slip and fall' I pick myself up, meditate, reflect, and learn from the opportunity. Yes, it is that simple becuase it is a choice, one I make consciously, one I have learned through life experiences, study, practice, relationships with various people, and by incorporating a daily practice of meditation and just slowing down in life and taking life one step at a time.
I encourage myself and others to truly stop and listen, observe and see how they are being in the present moment, how they are acting in their lives.
*Is what you do, are your relationships with others serving you?
*More important, how is your relationship with yourself?
*Do you have love and compassion for yourself? Do have a 'positive' self image, self perception?
*Do you talk bad about yourself to people or others for that matter?
*Do you treat yourself with respect and gratitude?
*Do you realize you are only human and therefore only know what you open yourself up to learning, seeing, doing, being, experiencing, sharing?
*Do you take yourself too serious, so much so that you beat yourself up for every perceived failure, mistake, etc?
YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN, Stay and Be Human(e).
These questions, life in general is a mirror unto yourself and your relation with yourself, your being, your body, your mind, your thoughts, your EVERYTHING?
My word of advice, Unconditional, unconditional everything and that starts with what love really is, yourself!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Invitation
By the Oriah Mountain Dreamer...thank you Cecilia for reminding me of this beautiful poem
The Invitation
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.
The Invitation
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.
Damn it or Flow with It? you have a choice!
In life a moment will occur where you can choose to yield or resist. It is at this point in time you will take action and make a choice. Your action, your choice will have a great impact on the outcome of the moment. Do you choose to resist creating a counter resistance or do you choose to yield opening up to the possibilities, maybe even beyond your wildest imagination?
I ask do you flow with or do you damn it? Also, ask of yourself where does my action and choice come from, ego or essence.
If you are prepared in life and you are living in a state of consciousness then the action and choice will be easy and you will flow opening yourself to unlimited potential and possibility. As you will be ready, be 2 or 3 steps ahead of the moment, being able to anticipate and therefore respond with conscious choice action!
I ask do you flow with or do you damn it? Also, ask of yourself where does my action and choice come from, ego or essence.
If you are prepared in life and you are living in a state of consciousness then the action and choice will be easy and you will flow opening yourself to unlimited potential and possibility. As you will be ready, be 2 or 3 steps ahead of the moment, being able to anticipate and therefore respond with conscious choice action!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Effortless Effort
Sure sounds good doesn't it? The idea of effortless effort. One would say that is a fantasy state and the wise would say nothing because rather than put effort into reasoning with the non believer they would act without effort because the wise is in the conscious state of effortless effort.
As I practice Aikido and learn the art and read deeper into martial arts, not the commercialized versions, but the arts, the true practices of martial arts like Aikido and Bruce Lee I do believe in the state of effortless effort. In fact I can say I have felt it even though more often than not I am in a state of effort or somewhere between. This is because I am a student learning to take the philosophy and put it into the art and creativity of my practice of daily living and transform this into a state of being!
The key is moving and being within your center. Staying grounded in your own state of harmony and grace and not allowing yourself, others, or things to disrupt you. Furthermore you must be conscious at all times to be able to make the choice action that will allow you to stay center and be effortless in your response, instead being natural and flowing with the energy and dynamics of life and the situation/circumstances at hand.
Bruce Lee has a famous saying, "Be Like Water" and this is so powerful, yet so fluid and every in a state of constant motion, adapting to its surroundings persistently yet with great patience and without force making it ways where ever that way must be in the present moment. Water does not react, water acts and feels the energy of the forces in and around it moving in the direction that best suits the situation yet always remaining true to itself, in its own state of grace and harmony!
"Be Formless, shapeless like water. Now if you put water into a cup it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle, you put it into a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash, be water my friend." Bruce Lee
As a student I only reflect on my experiences and what they are teaching me in the moment. I share to generate thought, discussion on an intellectual and philosophical level. This is not a case of right versus wrong, but more a sense of curiousity and wonder, leaving me with a sense of awe inspiring Wowisms.
"My" Life truly has come to a place where I reside in a certain way. The person I am today, right now is due to the culmination of all my life experiences. I find myself to be like water and in a conscious search for center, and understanding of what that is but with no attachment to being there or finding it. I realize that I am the center, I am already there! I am water, I am effortless and I am so therefore I am.
To define me is to help create understanding but to understand me is to know that an definition I offer now will be different later for there is no definition, there is no definitive! To refer to 'my'self, I, the I am is no more than a descriptive of, not a fact or statement or definition. I have come to a place where I am moving towards the effortless effort of life and existence. I am being in harmony with the way to my best ability.
As I practice Aikido and learn the art and read deeper into martial arts, not the commercialized versions, but the arts, the true practices of martial arts like Aikido and Bruce Lee I do believe in the state of effortless effort. In fact I can say I have felt it even though more often than not I am in a state of effort or somewhere between. This is because I am a student learning to take the philosophy and put it into the art and creativity of my practice of daily living and transform this into a state of being!
The key is moving and being within your center. Staying grounded in your own state of harmony and grace and not allowing yourself, others, or things to disrupt you. Furthermore you must be conscious at all times to be able to make the choice action that will allow you to stay center and be effortless in your response, instead being natural and flowing with the energy and dynamics of life and the situation/circumstances at hand.
Bruce Lee has a famous saying, "Be Like Water" and this is so powerful, yet so fluid and every in a state of constant motion, adapting to its surroundings persistently yet with great patience and without force making it ways where ever that way must be in the present moment. Water does not react, water acts and feels the energy of the forces in and around it moving in the direction that best suits the situation yet always remaining true to itself, in its own state of grace and harmony!
"Be Formless, shapeless like water. Now if you put water into a cup it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle, you put it into a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash, be water my friend." Bruce Lee
As a student I only reflect on my experiences and what they are teaching me in the moment. I share to generate thought, discussion on an intellectual and philosophical level. This is not a case of right versus wrong, but more a sense of curiousity and wonder, leaving me with a sense of awe inspiring Wowisms.
"My" Life truly has come to a place where I reside in a certain way. The person I am today, right now is due to the culmination of all my life experiences. I find myself to be like water and in a conscious search for center, and understanding of what that is but with no attachment to being there or finding it. I realize that I am the center, I am already there! I am water, I am effortless and I am so therefore I am.
To define me is to help create understanding but to understand me is to know that an definition I offer now will be different later for there is no definition, there is no definitive! To refer to 'my'self, I, the I am is no more than a descriptive of, not a fact or statement or definition. I have come to a place where I am moving towards the effortless effort of life and existence. I am being in harmony with the way to my best ability.
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