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