Life has Season, like Nature

 Life has seasons just like nature. A warrior doesn't see events as "good" or "bad," they just are. We attach ethics onto things. When at a high or low, stand your ground. When low, practice gratitude and patience. When high, practice gratitude, patience, and awareness. We tend to become drunk and blind with ecstacy when we're overly happy or something is going right. Maintain a sober mind and eyes whether hitting highs or lows in life, then we won't be taken by surprise by unexpected events.

Rise to the occasion?

 We don't rise to the occasion, we fall to the level of our training.

Motivated, Dedicated

 Before I enlisted in the Army, the extent of my fitness was full-body stretches, push-ups, sit-ups, walking (way before I had my own vehicle), and meditation. My nutrition was good for the most part but I didn't take any vitamins or supplements, I didn't know much about them. In the years following my enlistment, I gradually improved my knowledge of fitness and nutrition, and in turn, my body and mind grew stronger. Fast forward to 2019, I began listening to podcasts, and a whole range of them. Today I'm subscribed to over 20 podcasts, ranging from fieldcraft survival to crime junkies, from military special operators to science, to a podcast about jiu jitsu. I love learning something new, but up until a few years ago, it was slow. Now I feel like a sponge, wanting to have my hand in many facets of life and professions, open to discovering new things or updating the knowledge base I currently have. 

It is stated that your work resume should show a pay increase with every successive job; you should always seek to improve your situation. Now, that's not saying you should work at one place for only six months to a year and then find another job that pays more. That's not a healthy and positive endeavor, especially when a prospective employer looks at your resume and sees you've had a new company every so often. With that being said, my security and military resumes are consistently improving as I add more, new experience to both careers. Never stagnate, stay active in your profession, try and seek out a new or better way of doing something, or seek out someone who can teach you something new (that's applicable and productive though, not a task that's meaningless and adds steps to a process). A black belt in a martial art was once a white belt, and there may be a student who can teach a master a quicker way to perform a technique. Or, if your in a field like Information Technology, there be a fresh employee who is able to teach a supervisor a new technique or more efficient way of doing something. Always be open-minded and humble, no matter how high you get on the ladder in your respective industry. And as you seek new ways or opportunities and learn them, it keeps your mind and skillset sharp.

Back in 2015 I was accepted as a brand ambassador for a fitness apparel company. I did that for a few years, making motivating posts on social media and promoting the brand. It was when the company didn't release anything new or "cool," that I started to wane off posting about them and stopped buying their stuff. Then in 2019 I became a brand ambassador of FNX (Fenix) and they are a much more engaged and appealing company. Not only do they sell comfortable and asthetically-pleasing apparel, they also sell fitness supplements, and a dollar from every purchase goes towards a gallon of water donated to an African country. In addition to all that, the company also has a well-meaning and motivating/inspiring community; all the brand ambassadors ask questions, take polls, and motivate each other, and it's a great group. 

I will be making more fitness posts here, not for promoting and filling this blog with FNX content, but because I now have a passion for fitness, and applying proper nutrition and fitness to one's life is tantamount to being a warrior: fit and healthy in mind, body and soul.

"Performance is the expression of your physical capacity."

As Time Goes By...

 

Much time has passed since my last post, many different events have transpired, both good and bad.

I have lost nine friends over the years, five to suicide. The frequency has almost been a friend a year. The crappy thing? None of them were taken by combat. It hurts having a void left over, they were all unique in their own way so when you think they can be replaced by someone else, form a new friendship (or strengthen a remaining friendship), they really can't. One was an English teacher and he had his own insights and suggestions. One was a Recon Marine, a large soft-spoken King Leonidas-esque individual who had his own security company (of which I was a part for almost five years). One was a warrior in every sense of the word; a Marine, a Soldier, and a Contractor, who wrote poetry to balance the hard, grittiness of war and struggles with a soft, serene artisanship and a respect for life. One was an entrepreneur who owned a blade shop and maintained a local radio show, which he invited me to be a guest on but I never got the chance due to his stage four cancer. Some of these friends hailed from a different profession, some cut from the same cloth. All lived their own lives and had their own perspectives on existence. In this life, they will never call me or text me again, I won't hear their laughs or have a drink with them, enjoy food with them. I still have the phone numbers of a few of them in my phonebook, and at times I'm scrolling through trying to find a number and I see their names. The void left by them will never be filled, and I can---and have---filled the time of my day or week or month with productive activity and spend time with others I call good friends, my family. I fill my time and see my tribe...but I will never get them back. We will see each other again in the next life, wherever that may be, and until then I will live for them, cherish every moment I am alive, every moment I am breathing. To do otherwise would be a disservice to them and their legacy. Their names, their faces, and their memories live on in me and those they loved, and I will carry them until the day I leave this earth. In addition to losing so many close friends, I have also talked a few off the ledge. They are now living vibrant, full lives and are happy to be where they are. I am glad I was there at their most desperate time to give them another point of view and listen to them vent.

More on the events that have taken place over the years, I moved to Colorado and I am loving this state; the mountains and trails, the people, and the fact that whenever I return to sea level and go for a run or work out, I feel like a superhero given the adaptation to a higher altitude. I was evicted because of a lying manchild roommate's lack of responsibility. I lost a good place because of him and we went separate ways. We owed the apartment management a hefty payment (the rest of rent for the month we missed, late fees, charges, and legal fees), and since I was the only responsible one who showed up to court for our summons, the debt was tacked onto my record. One of my brothers told me that debt I paid off was the fee I paid to never see him again. I can agree to that, it will be no skin off my back if I never run into him.

My mother had cancer, had it taken out, and is not just surviving, but thriving. After all she's been through in life, she deserves a relaxing rest of her years. She has done much to contribute to the community, and help enrich me and my siblings' lives as we grew up.

I went inactive with the Army for two years and I did private security contracting in Europe. I met many great people, traveled a great deal, enjoyed amazing food, learned a little of the local languages wherever I visited, even took a Serbian girlfriend for awhile. This was the experience I've been searching for; new places and languages, different flags, new food, a change of scenery. I had to get outside the states for awhile, clear my head but also discover new things and people, make new memories. I believe everyone, absolutely everyone, needs to travel outside their country before they die. Some aren't even fortunate enough to go outside their home state! And travel as in fly to another region of the world and stay for at least three days. Going on cruises is cool and they come with their own set of memories and fun-filled experiences, but I feel in order to truly experience a new place, you need to step foot outside the touristy areas and check out the eateries and venues that the locals frequent. Granted, not every country has safe areas outside the tourist city centers and you may want to stay there, but the countries that do, you should explore.

After contracting, which I would have done for two or three more years if it wasn't for the chronic, excruciating pain I experienced, I returned stateside and did a little warehouse work then went back to drilling status with the Army Reserve. The pain I was experiencing I felt for over a year; I couldn't sit, couldn't stand up straight, and all I could focus on was getting rid of, or at least alleviating, the pain. I finally received surgery in July 2019 and it was a long, painful recovery until April 2020. I am forever grateful to not be in that same, dark headspace and painful existence. I would meditate often to try and block out the pain, and that worked to an extent, and at times I would need to meditate in order to get my heart rate so low to the point of sleep so I could actually sleep. Eventually there were days I contemplated ending my life. I've been down that dark road before, and although I said I would never go there again...I did. A friend talked me off the ledge, justifying why I shouldn't take my life, and the reasons were increased when I thought of my friends and family and how they would feel after I was gone before my time. It is said warriors need something to fight, or else they'll fight themselves. I would always see the need, the reason, the threat needing to be fought, outside my head, externally. Little before did I realize the greatest enemy to fight can be inside your own head. My enemy was the horrible pain that infected every waking hour, and in turn, it was my thoughts that were fighting to keep the wolves at bay. My inner voice was struggling to keep from drowning, but with that much pain every single day without reprieve, and pain meds that would only last maybe an hour, it was undoubtedly a struggle. That experience has allowed me to empathize with others who go through chronic pain. I have a new perspective on life, not only through the eyes of someone living with constant suffering, but one that has been brought on by gratitude with every passing second that I am alive, healthy, and have freedom of movement. Ever since my suffering has passed and I have conquered that dark era of my life, through not only a strong support system but a resilient mindset, I have enjoyed every bit of my time here on earth---even through the loss of a friend, heartbreak, or another negative external situation. It is important to have an "Attitude of Gratitude."

A couple more high points, I took part in my friend's movie (he's a local filmmaker) and the distributor made a contract with Hulu. It was available to watch on that streaming service for awhile until the contract was, to my guess, not renewed, and then it went to Amazon. On another note, but in relevance to the entertainment industry and acting, a friend and I met the cast of Supernatural during a Supernatural Convention. All of the cast, through all 15 seasons and 15 years of the show, are salt-of-the-earth individuals, all very kind and grateful for their fans, willing to chat for a bit and actually engage in conversation and genuinely care for each and every one of the people who have stuck with them through the years. The Supernatural (SPN) fandom is a family, and I see why; the cast and crew had fun on set filming the show, and every guest who has played a role in an episode has stated everyone (even the big-name show regulars) showed them kindness and welcomed them into the family, To add, even the fandom is always willing to help with something, answer a question, and be there for emotional, moral, even financial support. I know I'm going off on a tangent but since we're discussing the SPN Family, I feel it needs to be said: Misha Collins, one of the main actors of the show, created a nonprofit called Random Acts. Here is their mission:

Random Acts inspires acts of kindness around the world both big and small. We provide a vast network of caring people with the encouragement and support they need to change lives for the better. All of these acts of kindness contribute to a bigger story, a message that Random Acts embodies and promotes — that you too can conquer the world one random act of kindness at a time.

 

 In closing, I have been away, but thankfully I am still alive. New memories have been created, both positive and negative, and much time has passed. Humility is important to inner peace and respect, resilience is key in getting over, under, or through obstacles, and no matter what we go through in life, we should not rush to our death. As it is said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

"I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."

- Mary Anne Radmacher

"Tough times never last, but tough people do."

- Robert H. Schuller

Modern Samurai Shows Phenomenal Feat

When I am presented with something seemingly miraculous, right away I don't think "impossible," because many things thought impossible in this world have been proven true (unexplained phenomenon) or have been accomplished (a certain goal). I do not immediately think it is impossible, but I am skeptical until I see it for myself and---being curious---until I research it, dig deeper into the situation. One such event is a Modern Samurai using a katana (Samurai sword) to slice in half an oncoming 83-84 mph baseball and, ultimately, a tiny white bb gun pellet traveling at 200 mph.

Isao Machii, a modern-day Samurai from Japan, claims he has an incredible reaction time. Stan Lee's (the co-creator of Marvel Comics) show Superhumans has Machii san perform (and prove) his ability. It is absolutely astounding what Machii san can execute:

Hopefully you watched the amazing video. My thoughts and beliefs on Machii san's superior reaction time is simple:

Dr. Durvasula states Isao Machii is on a totally different level of anticipatory processing. Being a warrior, Machii san was most likely stepping into Mushin, "the Void," the empty meditative state that all extremely disciplined warriors go to for focus. The professor described he's like a perfectly calibrated machine, that "this is about processing at an entirely different sensory level, because he's not visually processing..." and the host of the show goes on to add that Machii san disengages his thought processes, "reacting in a purely instinctive way." With steel focus and extreme discipline, mushin combines the body and mind as one, putting it in perfect harmony and (in computer gaming terms) "eliminating the ping." There is no "lag" in Machii san's connection of signals from the brain to the body, his reaction to the baseball or bb is, as it is put, purely instinctual, whereas a normal person's reaction time would be significantly lower, resulting in a likely miss of the projectile. It is outstanding how Machii san can even see the white pellet shot from the gun, and given the speed, size of both pellet and thinness of the sword, and hand-eye coordination (or, in his situation, coordination of a different level), that he was able to slice it, let alone even hit it. To make it more difficult, Machii san has to unsheath the katana first, he is not just holding it out, ready to strike. What I love is, living by the code of Bushido, he said he could slice the bullet (pellet) in half, so after the first attempt, he didn't want to fall back on his word....so he made it happen. I admire that honor and integrity.

A superb job well-done, just goes to show there is more to the human mind and body than what is commonly taught/known.

Warrior Values Comparison

All throughout Basic Combat Training, Drill Sergeants habituate recruits to reciting the Soldier's Creed. There are an abundance of facts and nomenclature and other things one needs to learn to go in front of a military board, or to remember simply because it's general knowledge and it can be helpful to know so one can possibly apply it later on. One canon Soldiers need to know, and it is extremely important to live by, are the Army Values. Without the Army Values, Soldiers have no discipline, no ethical backing for personal and professional support.

There are seven Army Values, and they are:

1. Loyalty
2. Duty
3. Respect
4. Selfless Service
5. Honor
6. Integrity
7. Personal Courage

There is an interesting and intensely notable comparison between these seven values and the Seven Virtues of Bushido. The Seven Virtues are:

1. Loyalty
2. Benevolence
3. Respect
4. Honesty
5. Honor
6. Rectitude
7. Courage

Now, honesty, and rectitude can both take the reigns as integrity since rectitude is defined as "rightness of principle or conduct; moral virtue," and synonyms for rectitude include "integrity" and "principle." The relation and repeated value just goes to show that integrity is extremely substantial to being a disciplined warrior. Without honesty, without integrity, an individual is simply a lying fool, a person who is no better than a thief. It's no surprise that the Army would share the same moral principles as Bushido, seeing as the Soldier and the Samurai* are archetypal warriors.

*Not all samurai were noble, of course, and there were even periods of history when the code of Bushido was used for evil/bad intentions. One of said periods was the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. The Japanese military brainwashed its forces into believing their morals for the kamikaze attack were from Bushido, and in actuality, it later became known as "Dark Bushido."

Written in skin

Taking the unwritten code of ethics called Bushido and applying all the teachings I have learned over the years, the code of honor is a warrior philosophy that is my life and has been for quite some time. I continually try to educate and enlighten, essentially help others in having good morals and keeping a positive mindset, and acquire self-confidence by assisting them to reach their potential, because as Mahatma Gandhi once expressed, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Since Bushido is my philosophy and its teachings are my character, it means a great deal to me. I decided to get a tattoo, showing a small, but significant, physical commitment to my virtues and discipline.

I thought about it for a few years and it is said if you want a tattoo, it is good to keep it in your mind for at least three years, because you may not want it later. People change, so if you believe it still holds significance in your life after three years, pull the trigger in getting the tat. I finalized my decision and got it inked down my spine. Why there you ask, and didn't it hurt!? I wanted the three characters going down my spine because one, Japanese is written vertically, and two, yes it did hurt but that was the temporary pain I gladly endured to again show my commitment to my code of honor. Besides, it felt good after a while, like a numbing feeling.

The word "Bushido," meaning "Way of the Warrior," can be split into either two or three parts.
Bushi= "Warrior" Do= "Way" or "Path"

or

Bu="War" or "Martial" Shi="Warrior" Do="Way"

Erasmus' 22 Principles

Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, monk, and theologian born in Rotterdam in 1466. He was committed to his work and held strong to doctrines such as free will. In the year 1492, poverty forced Erasmus to become a monk, and although he was offered many positions of honor and profit through the academic world, Erasmus declined them all, much rather wanting to stick with the sufficient, though uncertain, rewards of independent literary activity. Many great works were sold by Erasmus, including a certain Enchiridion militis Christiani, which is one of his most influential works. The title means "Handbook of the Christian Knight (or Soldier)." In it are values to follow and principles to help the mending of your evil, or wrong, ways. Generally speaking, a literary work on how to improve your life. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, whom I mentioned in a previous post of 2009, has a collection of twenty-two virtues from this short work in his astounding book, On Combat. Here are the twenty-two principles on how to be strong while remaining virtuous in a dangerous world:

Increase Your Faith

Even if the entire world appears mad.

Act Upon Your Faith

Even if you must undergo the loss of everything.

Analyze Your Fears

You will find that things are not as bad as they appear.

Make Virtue The Only Goal Of Your Life Dedicate all your enthusiasm, all your effort, your leisure, as well as your business.

Turn Away from Material Things

If you are greatly concerned with money you will be weak of spirit.

Train Your Mind To Distinguish Good And Evil

Let your rule of government be determined by the common good.

Never Let Any Setback Stop You In Your Quest

We are not perfect--this only means we should try harder.

If You Have Frequent Temptations, Do Not Worry

Begin to worry when you do not have temptation, because that is a sure sign that you cannot distinguish good from evil.

Always Be Prepared for an Attack

Careful generals set guards even in times of peace.

Spit, As It Were, In The Face Of Danger Keep a stirring quotation with you for encouragement.

There Are Two Dangers: One Is Giving Up, The Other Is Pride

After you have performed some worthy task, give all the credit to someone else.

Turn Your Weakness Into Virtue

If you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving.

Treat Each Battle As Though It Were Your Last

And you will finish, in the end, victorious!

Don't Assume That Doing Good Allows You To Keep A Few Vices.

The enemy you ignore the most is the one who conquers you.

Weigh Your Alternatives Carefully

The wrong way will often seem easier than the right way.

Never Admit Defeat Even If You Have Been Wounded

The good soldier's painful wounds spur him to gather his strength.

Always Have A Plan Of Action

So when the time comes for battle, you will know what to do.

Calm Your Passions By Seeing How Little There Is To Gain

We often worry and scheme about trifling matters of no real importance.

Speak With Yourself This Way:

If I do what I am considering, would I want my family to know about it?

Virtue Has Its Own Reward

Once a person has it, they would not exchange it for anything.

Life Can Be Sad, Difficult, And Quick: Make It Count For Something!

Since we do not know when death will come, act honorably everyday.

Repent Your Wrongs Those who do not admit their faults have the most to fear.

Feeling is Believing

When we, as human beings, are met with certain situations we get goosebumps and our gut feeling, our intuition, lets us know how our minds feel about the situation at hand. It can be a street we feel edgy about walking through, or a place we enjoy so much it lightens our mood. That gut feeling is instinct, and our instinct can be either a bad vibe or a good feeling. Perhaps one day you meet a person and just by shaking their hand or talking with them for a moment you feel comfortable and possibly even cheerful by their presence. Granted, it may be so because you are having a nice day, but that is not always the case. That person can be emitting a good vibe that you walked into and are now a part of. Or is it you who created the vibe because your mind or body told you that this person is not a threat, or they have good intentions toward you upon a first impression?

Vibes can be felt in a specific atmosphere or with a group of certain people, like your intuition when you feel a certain area of town is not too safe or when a person's energy feels "off" and you get a bad vibe from them. You don’t see them but they are there. You feel them. Perception of an atmosphere and energy that a person perceives from another is sometimes referred to as an aura. You can feel or sense a person’s aura when they walk by or look you in the eyes, or when two individuals conduct intimacy (energy given off with actions like touching, hugging, and kissing are originally stronger than usual). Again, we don’t see these energies, these auras, but we feel them. They are all around us.

So next time you travel outside your front door, try to concentrate on the energies around you, feel the vibrations of the person sitting next to you on a subway, standing near you in a bookstore or standing in front of you in line at a supermarket. Sense the energy from a place in which you feel nostalgic. You can’t see it but you never thought about it before. Now do you feel it?

Referring back to intuition, it is defined as a “direct perception of truth, fact, etc., independent of any reasoning process; immediate apprehension.” What if that is what enlightenment feels like, or how the Creator wanted us to live originally?

Comprehension

When I was reading one of my few books one day, about two weeks ago, I was hit with this wild epiphany. I may sound crazy, like a lunatic, but I'm not. I'm weird but I'm not crazy! Now, I am more spiritual than religious, and you may be whatever you may be or believe, but for argument's sake, let's be on the same page here and bring in the bible. Adam and Eve in the beginning were blissful, had no sense of right and wrong, good or evil. They had unlimited knowledge without the certain inhibitions; until they ate the forbidden fruit and they became awakened to right and wrong, good and bad. Then they felt shame and embarrassment for their being naked. Then God kicked them out of the garden. Well, check this out.

It is a Buddhist belief that before we were born into these physical, temporary shell bodies, we were once a part of the vast ocean in the universe. We were a drop in that ocean of comfort, warmth, truth, and unlimited wealth of knowledge. Now, in these bodies, we strive for enlightenment (at least many spiritual people do), or at least a better understanding of everything, and we meditate and meditate and contemplate the workings of people and the universe, we contemplate everything, just to be awakened to the bigger picture. We meditate to be enlightened or awakened...that enlightenment that the Buddha and the Dalai Lama and many other masters like Vernon Kitabu Turner and O Sensei Morehei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido) have acquired is that original, unadulterated wealth of knowledge we used to have, before we left that ocean, before Adam and Eve ate from that fruit....we meditate to once again be apart of that mind, to find that truth of the universe! We meditate to be awakened to that state we were supposed to be in. When Adam and Eve bit from the fruit, and once we grow to a reasonable age, they (and we) analyze(d) things, think of everything and try to solve everything and piece together everything through Logic, through Reasoning, but we were never supposed to in the first place. Because in the universe, in our vast ocean of warmth, comfort, truth.....there was no need for reasoning and logic; it just WAS. JUST LIKE what Buddhism TEACHES: IT JUST IS!

We started rationalizing in the first place because when many of us reach a certain age, we get curious about everything; we start researching, conversing with people, traveling, reading, watching, learning ALL we can to better understand this world and our purpose for existing. It's like something or someone WANTS us to learn, see how far we can get on our own. Why would we all be here on earth if we were all happy and content and comfortable and knew the truth already? Why would earth and humans and animals exist? What IS our purpose? Some may say it's to be tested in this life, and that may be true. Or it can be something deeper. It's up to you to interpret.

"Life isn't about finding yourself; it's about creating yourself."

Transition

It has been too long since I updated this blog, but that's because I've been uber busy with creating a new chapter in my life; last year I enlisted in the Army and from January-March I was in Basic Combat Training, then from April-August I was in Advanced Individual Training (AIT) learning my Army job.
I love it; from one type of warrior to another, the transition from martial artist to a Soldier was intense and eye-opening. I had loads of fun camping, shooting at targets from different positions, throwing live M67 fragmentation grenades, and creating the inevitable camaraderie with your "battle buddies" as you all train, laugh, cry, sweat, sleep, eat, and congratulate together for 3 months. Upon graduating BCT, you go on to AIT to learn the specialty you signed up for. One important trait which was increased greatly by classes and field training was Situational Awareness (SA): being aware of your surroundings, having a strict attention to detail while instantly evaluating the variables in your surrounding to best combat a potential threat. The meticulous attention to details on such a minute scale which would not even be acknowledged by the average person, is an incredible degree of observation. Too many people take their sight for granted just like the rest of their senses. This, among other skills, greatly increases one's survival.

One bit of BCT I found somewhat darkly humorous, was back in 2004 when I was in a class to acquire my hunting license qualification, the instructor told us that you never call a firearm a "weapon" unless it's used against another human being. Now fast forward to a class given by my Drill Sergeant in 2009, he informed us that you never call a firearm a "gun," it's either labeled a rifle (if you have such) or---a weapon. And in the military, there is a strong possibility you may have to answer the call to arms and defend yourself and your fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines by shooting back and killing the opposing force. So this "firearm" has just become aptly named a weapon. Thank you classroom instructor guy, and thank you too Drill Sergeant!

Hooah.

The Way

"The real Way of the Warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature." This world is full of people that take many things for granted. The clothes they wear, the food they eat, the job they have, the people in their lives, the roof over their heads.....the senses they don't truly appreciate, or are naive to fully embracing. They believe these things will always be there. Those people live in complacency and ignorance; "Everything's going to be okay, I have absolutely no reason to worry," "Another day, another dollar, same s***, different day," and "Nothing's going to happen to me, there are billions of other people in this world." This type of thinking could do us in (a Chevelle album reference by the way). Every day is not the same. Anything can happen on the way to work or school; a store can be robbed, a man stabbed, a woman raped. One minute you can be excited about the day, but the next you can have your day shot down by discovering something was stolen from your car or witness your apartment building on fire, or you suddenly have a medical emergency. Random, but not impossible.

As the days go on, more and more I grow accustomed to living outside of complacency. I truly cherish what I have, and who I have. Materialistic items stolen can be bought again (even though it may have been an important gift, or something of a limited number) but people cannot. Once they are gone, there is no bringing them back. Waking up today, I went outside after a good breakfast and the weather was beautiful. The air held a bit of a haze as the sun shone through the trees in the backyard and birds chirped while leaves blew in the satisfying breeze. I inhaled a lungful of air through my nose, held it, then exhaled through my mouth as the breeze picked up slightly. While I was hanging my clothes to dry, I was enlightened to a new feeling, discovering that this is what it is like to live with Bushido....beauty in every breath. With no job all I can do for finances is sell things on ebay, get paid to do chores and maintain the yard and garden. Is this how a noble Samurai lived back in the feudal age? Is this how he felt, to measure life by every breath and practice a ritualistic chore of being? Every single day, wake up, get ready for the day, eat, do chores, read, meditate, train, write, eat, (not necessarily in that order) then turn in and do it all again the next, grateful for the gift of life and ready to die at any moment? If that's how a warrior felt and lived by that great feeling, then I believe I have acquired that awareness on my path to enlightenment and my goals in life. It's just a shame more people can't experience this....because this realization is very pleasing.

"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order. To put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order. To put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; in order to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right." -Confucius

"Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer."

"Unification of body and spirit through the Art of Peace is an exalted state, so high and pleasant that it brings tears of joy to your eyes." -Morihei Ueshiba

Tides of Breathing II

In each inhalation and each exhalation there are countless instants of time. Your intention is to live in each instant, in each moment.

A meeting of two warriors

Sometime in May I was walking around the mall with a couple of friends, when I went into a Gamestop to check out the new games and look through the newest Game Informer. I was browsing the XBOX 360 section of games, when I looked up and came face to face with a living legend: Anderson Silva, the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world right now! I don't usually get starstruck, but this guy was a favorite of mine in the sport for a long time, and although I held dry hopes of meeting him someday, I never thought I'd be standing right in front of him in a video game store, of all places! So as soon as I said hi to him, I turned around and grabbed my friend by the shirt and whispered to him, "It's ANDERSON SILVA! He's here." I asked the cashier for a pen and paper, and I confronted Silva again and asked him for an autograph, and he delightfully accepted. I told him it was an honor to meet him and the renowned Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor played it down like he didn't deserve to be praised so well. After the autograph I asked if we could get a picture and he didn't mind that either. Upon finishing the shot, I bowed to him and he bowed in return.
For being such an excellent veteran fighter, he was definitely a humble individual, and that I have great respect for. He's also a lot bigger in person than I expected! Then I later discovered he moved up in a weight class for his future fight with Forrest Griffin.



I posted Silva's autograph in the photo as well. Great guy.

The meaning of the bow

"Traditionally, bowing is the first thing you do when you enter a dojo and the last thing you do before you leave. It is a reminder that you come and go in peace. Bowing is a form of respect used in the martial arts, as well as throughout Asia. In a dojo the act of bowing is considered proper etiquette, equivalent to a handshake in Western cultures. In sparring the gesture sets an atmosphere of good sportsmanship, trust, and safety--implying that no one is there to hurt anyone else.
There is hidden meaning to the bow--it is recognition of the Divine in another person. This notion is literal. Within each person and everything in our universe is a portion of Divine energy. This may sound blasphemous, but traditional martial arts teaches you to bow to another person because you see the Divinity in that person, because you are both directly connected to the Infinite and thus to each other. The study of martial concepts is a way to unlock this amazing power and to discover what can be done with it.
Another hidden concept of the bow is the praying hands--where you position your palms to face each other and hold them together as if praying. The gesture is an ancient sign of humility and respect that is often combined with a bow as a greeting. Symbolically, the right hand represents the spiritual self. It reminds you that life is a composite of both body and spirit, and your mind is the pathway between the two. Ceremonially, martial artists form the right hand into a fist and cover it with the left. This represents your partnership to everything in the universe. It also signifies that you can always be entirely who you are, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and still be part of something bigger--what many call the Infinite or God. It marks your agreement with the world to be authentic at all times and to heighten joy. All life is physical and spiritual. Agree to honor both in everyone and everything."

I got that passage out of a martial arts philosophy book. Very profound definition of the bow.

On my path to freedom and lessons of life

I have read many books on the path to bettering myself, improving my way of life personally, consciously, at the same time researching and practicing, applying what I learn. I enjoy experiencing moments of contentment and I am humbly satisfied sharing my knowledge and lessons with others (if they are willing to learn!) and I am always open to learn from others.

Here are a few books I have read that may help you see things differently and possibly help you live better:

The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days To Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way by Sifu Shi Yan Ming
-I always tell people everything happens for a reason. On a day when I was emotionally distraught and letting my anger get the best of me even after all my training and research and practice, eying this book and opening it made me feel even more enlightened and feeling better. Sifu Yan Ming is a widely known Shaolin monk and teacher of Kung Fu and Chan Buddhism and has trained many people all over the globe from businessmen to chefs, from police to gymnasts. He has even trained various celebrities such as John Leguizamo, the RZA, and Wesley Snipes among others.
This book not only gives the reader an excellent workout routine, it emphasizes how important it is to be grateful to have this mind, body, and soul every single day you are alive and teaches in each meditation(aptly inserted after every stretching and training exercise) to be grateful, use martial arts only as a means of defense, and to find peace and paradise within yourself first and foremost----since in Buddhism it is taught nothing is permament and all your money and material possessions are temporary happiness. In one section Sifu Yan Ming states that no matter how wider your tv screen gets, you are still the same person in front of it. An insightful, educational, and important book whether for improving your body, mind, or spirit...I highly recommend reading it(and practicing the workout, no matter what fitness background you hail from!)

If you would like to check out Sifu's website, you can check it out here: Shaolin Temple U.S.A.


The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom by Ross Heaven
-I know Ross gets somewhat of a bad rep, but I didn't read this book for Ninjitsu. I skimmed through it at the bookstore and thought it would be good to open my eyes more to a better understanding of life and spirituality, and to increase my discipline. Upon taking it home and reading it, I came face-to-face with an early death and a future self, and I have taken the path that leads me to a longer, more fulfilling life. Give it a chance if you want to better your mind, body and soul, or at least open your eyes to shamanism and a different spiritual mentality.


Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Nitobe Inazō
-A very insightful book into the educational outline of the code of ethics such as Bushido. Nitobe wrote it in English to be originally for Western readers, then it was later translated to Japanese. At first, it may be a little difficult to understand or hard to read, but it will sink in with time and with rereading. Being someone that is extremely based on "feeling" things and others, and having good intuition or gut feeling, I understood what I was reading after it settled in. In other words, I didn't quite understand what I was reading until I stopped reading it or until I passed the sentence I was on. Weird, but that's how I understood it. A great read, Nitobe explains the Soul of Japan in very noble words.


Hagakure: The Book of The Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, translated by William Scott Wilson
-Hagakure means "Hidden by Leaves" or "In the Shadow of Leaves". This book, if you haven't read or heard of it before, is basically a collection of quotes and day-to-day anecdotes of a samurai retainer of Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now the Saga prefecture of Japan. Upon being denied an honorable samurai death(seppuku, or ritualistic suicide), Yamamoto became a Buddhist monk. A beautiful book, it details the very life of a samurai in 17th century Japan and emphasizes the utmost duty, honor, and loyalty to one's master. Throughout the book, there are humorous little stories or thoughts by the author which add to the entertaining read. I recommend it for anyone who wants to read what life was like as a warrior in feudal Japan.


Of course, there are more I have read and more I am reading, but for now one can start with these. Enjoy.

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
-Buddha

Ah, those quotes...

"No one knows what he can do till he tries."


"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. "

-the Dalai Lama


"Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. "

-the Buddha


"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. "

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


"I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it."

-Ray Bradbury

To Live in Humility

Big arms, large upper body=Western intimidation.

Many people think that size matters in a fight. Not always true. Speed coupled with power is a lethal combination, but even that alone is not always practical. Technique is great to have, great to know, but without speed and accuracy and with a lack of practice, application of the technique is weak and useless...unless one uses the technique in a kata or practices Tai Chi, which flows smoothly, gracefully as it naturally should. Altogether, the harmony of mind/body/soul and speed/power/accuracy in a fight is tantamount to survival. It's a cycle that comes full circle, one value leads to another, therefore gradually increasing the defense or offense in a person with each addition of the next value.

Now, there is no need to go out in the world and look for a fight, just live your life. Be aware of your environment and the people in it, and as far as you get in achievements and status, whether it be a promotion at a job or a new car, don't showboat it and talk down to others. Live in humility. The aim of Aikido was the Art of Peace, to win a battle with words, before it gets physical. If the conflict reaches a physical level, you lose that battle. This does not mean you should allow everyone to walk all over you, it simply means that as long as someone is teasing you or insulting you verbally, pay no attention to it and do not act upon it. Not allowing a verbal abuse to get to you is a great test of patience and control, especially when it is undoubtedly easy to open our mouths and "tell off" the person. I can agree that the world today is full of assholes and idiots that need an ass-kicking to shut them up and show they're nothing but filth, and to them words can mean a world of hurt, but to you, the warrior, words are petty and are not worth getting injured or losing your life over.
"True patience is bearing the unbearable."
Only when the abuse becomes physical and the person(s) touches you or your loved one, or attempts to, should you act. If you are the one standing after a physical confrontation, it is self-defense and thus, it is not your fault. You didn't start it (but some of you are probably saying to yourselves, "...but I sure as hell ended it!"). So again, figuratively "turn the other cheek" and just ignore verbal discourtesy until it gets physical (IF it gets physical! You don't HAVE to fight.) As Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Grossman discussed greatly in his book, On Combat, the Universal Human Phobia is conflict. The goal is to inoculate yourself to conflict or confrontation, or learn all you can and prepare yourself mentally so when the time comes you will be ready. The motto for the Boy Scouts is "Be prepared," and it is righteous to suggest so. Although the Boy Scouts do not have their own school, or dojo, they do have a warrior mentality, a lifestyle full of character and discipline and lessons in survival, and their motto can be held true in any walk of life.
Returning to conflict, there is nothing like a real street fight. Even sparring with one partner or more is different compared to a real physical encounter. There are no rules on the street, and most individuals today don't fight with honor. We should only use force as a last resort. As it is expressed in Budo, the ninja never used his sword unless deemed absolutely necessary. As quoted by Lt. Col. Grossman, "The more willing you are to kill, the less likely you have to do it." That means the more you learn, the more you train, the more ready you become physically and psychologically, the more prepared and willing you are to kill if it was life-or-death, the less likely you will ever need to actually take a situation that far.

It is important to learn the inner workings of martial arts to balance out the physical techniques (the outer workings). The internal is just as important, if not more so, than the external. Men can look alike in body if not similar to one another by working out, getting toned, etc. Same with women.. But if one person has an enlightened mind, open and intellectual and experienced, then that one mind can be greater than all the superficiality in the world.


"In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential - do not let your heart waver!"
-Morihei Ueshiba

"Show strength when you are weak and weakness when you are strong; do this and your opponent will underestimate you."

Sights of Sites

I took this while in upstate New York in the middle of March, it's the Niagara Falls frozen.

It was quite a superb sight, seeing the Falls twice before with rushing water and the Maid of the Mist(the tourism boat that travels close to the Falls) riding around. The night shots are from the Canadian side looking at the Falls. I have told many that Niagara Falls at night looks like cotton candy because of the lights underneath. They change color by the way, which is really cool.

Experiencing natural wonders like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon in Arizona help me appreciate being alive to see something so beautiful; every time I am in another state or country enjoying my time and freedom either by myself of with friends, I can't help but smile because in that moment I am content. I am happy, and as quoted in Jon Krakauer's Into The Wild, "happiness is real when it's shared," and that rings true in my life.
I want to share my happiness with others, taking them away from their stressful, everyday existence, even if only temporarily, to just take a step back and breathe.



Random fact:

If you exercise to lose weight - choose your sport wisely. Swimming in cold water tends to make people crave high-fat foods, according to new research at Loughborough University in the U.K. 

-The Week Magazine, 3/27/09

You also have to factor in the abundant use of carbohydrates and expulsion of electrolytes (lost through sweat) because of intense activity (i.e., swimming, sprinting, hard working out, etc.).

The Tides of Breathing

One important principle to live by is gratitude. Many samurai of feudal Japan lived every day like it was their last, finding the greatest appreciation in the smallest things. They believed that there was beauty in every breath, because in that moment it meant you were alive. When I wake up every morning, I am extremely grateful to wake up alive; having all my fingers and toes, limbs, and all my senses. In an "attitude of gratitude," food tastes better and aromas smell stronger. Cherishing everything and everyone you have in life is important for a healthy mind and body, but it also helps get through the day easier. Next time you get the chance, take time to actually feel the breeze on your skin during a nice day, or listen to the sounds of nature: birds chirping or singing, wind rustling the leaves of a tree.

Many people will never truly feel what it is like to be grateful every single day. The warrior experiences it in battle; a law enforcement officer who survives a firefight on domestic soil or a soldier who lives through an ambush or IED(Improvised Explosive Device) in a third-world country. Through that close encounter does one truly know how it feels to be physically and psychologically grateful to be alive. We are not promised tomorrow. That is why we should live in gratitude and live by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would like done unto you."

"If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them."
-the Dalai Lama