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