The Gwan is a very special place to a Martial Artist, in Japanese they use the word "Dojo" is used as the word Gwan is used. Actually the word Dojo translates as " The Place of the Art " Some translate it as The Place of the Way. In Chinese the word Wu-Gwan translates as a Martial Arts's Training Hall. In China the Gwan was where the Master was. Students would follow their chosen Masters to attain their knowledge of the Arts, where he went they followed. Wherever the Master decided to settle down and live that became place of the Gwan.
To a Martial Artist the Wu Gwan is a very place where the secret knowledge was passed on. According to tradition the Gwan symbolizes all that is taught within it walls., namely, Attention to detail, meaning the placement and arrangement of everything in its proper place. Cleanliness in two ways, the first is the Student, he had to neat and clean, this is a sign of self respect, his clothing and body always well cared for. The second is the Gwan itself, it had to be perfectly neat and spotlessly clean. Anything out of order was an indication somebody mind was not focused into detail. In combat lack of focus could cost you your life, so these matters were taken very seriously.
Gwan's could appear anywhere, on mountain tops, to deep forest hideaways. Where the Master decided to stay that's where the Gwan was built. It did not matter how fancy a Gwan is that makes it good, it is the mind set of its members that resurrects a Gwan. Small, big, fancy or not it was well kept up to a students best ability. The all seeing eye of the head Master could see the smallest discrepancy in order and the next thing to happen was everyone had to pay the price for not catching it. This formed a caring bond between students looking out for one another. If someone did something out of Tradition the classmates would quickly correct the error before the Maters spotted it.
The Gwan also teaches the meaning of courtesy, and respect, being polite and respectful of not only people but places and things as well. A Gwan teaches students to look for and seize opportunities as they arise, this is part of the training to develop the warrior mind. A Gwan training teaches the students to push them self beyond what they think is their limitations. A Gwan teaches the importance of hard work and constant practice. A Gwan teaches the importance and value of developing great patience. Only fools rush in, as they saying goes. Martial Artists never rush, rather we move slow and steady, watching each step of the way. A Gwan teaches the connection between Mind Body and Spirit , to transform a student to that of a whole and complete person..
As you can see, a Gwan is a special place of learning and transforming into that of a Martial Artist. Some of the nicest people in the world are martial artists. The are capable people, trust worthy, loyal, honest, and just. The have overcome their most inner inhibitions. They are confident, and capable, and intelligent, all of which comes from the Gwan training. They are family, bound together by the hard work sweat and trails of victories and defeats they all have faced together. They are bound by the oath they all have take to perfect the Way. The share the same beliefs and goals so they remain close throughout life as brothers and sisters, all taught within the walls of the Home Gwan. The bottom line is, Gwan training is a focus on character building not only skill building. Punching and kicking can be learned quickly but without the right mind set, it is all a waste of time. The Gwan teachings builds a person from the inside out, not the out side in.
In short Gwan's have lasted hundreds of years as s special place to those in training, our home away from home, our refuge for learning and developing our self to the fullest potential. Unlike a church or temple we don't look to God for help, we look to our selves to make the necessary changes to better our self. God helps those who help them selves and the Gwan is the means for all this happen. This is a Gwan, a very special place indeed........
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
When Kung Fu Fails!
As wonderful and powerful Kung Fu is for self defense, it can fail you, and here is when.
1. When you fail to practice enough to perfect your techniques.
2. When you fail to remember proper mind control, namely your fears.
3. When you think you cant lose.
4. When you fight for unjust reasons.
5. When you start fights.
6. When you fear using your techniques in fear of harming your opponent.
7. When you underestimate your opponent.
8. When you are unaware.
Solutions:
1. Practice your techniques realistically and work on variations.
2. Practice mind control techniques, this requires Chan (Zen) practice.
3. Practice as if your opponent has never been beaten, now go from there.
4. Practice restraint.
5. Practice humility rather then vengeance. Humility, compassion, and wisdom characterize the state of enlightenment
6. Practice justification of force.
7. Practice the principles of Sun Tzu.
8. Practice staying in the moment. Maximum clarity of your environment and situation at hand. This is Shaolin Chen.
The best of all solutions is never having to fight at all, when you do, you have already lost control of the situation....! But if no other way out, and you have followed the eight solutions mentioned above, you should emerge victoriously and unharmed. This is when Kung Fu Works!!!
Buddha Bless
1. When you fail to practice enough to perfect your techniques.
2. When you fail to remember proper mind control, namely your fears.
3. When you think you cant lose.
4. When you fight for unjust reasons.
5. When you start fights.
6. When you fear using your techniques in fear of harming your opponent.
7. When you underestimate your opponent.
8. When you are unaware.
Solutions:
1. Practice your techniques realistically and work on variations.
2. Practice mind control techniques, this requires Chan (Zen) practice.
3. Practice as if your opponent has never been beaten, now go from there.
4. Practice restraint.
5. Practice humility rather then vengeance. Humility, compassion, and wisdom characterize the state of enlightenment
6. Practice justification of force.
7. Practice the principles of Sun Tzu.
8. Practice staying in the moment. Maximum clarity of your environment and situation at hand. This is Shaolin Chen.
The best of all solutions is never having to fight at all, when you do, you have already lost control of the situation....! But if no other way out, and you have followed the eight solutions mentioned above, you should emerge victoriously and unharmed. This is when Kung Fu Works!!!
Buddha Bless
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Never Give Up
This art is wonderful for making you ready for the battle of life. If you stay and succeed in this art achieving a high level it is an indication you are on the verge of finding great self discipline and control over yourself so that the battles we all face in life will be under your control rather then running wild and out of control.
Life is a constant challenge, no day goes by without us having to make decisions and playing them out to a fruitful conclusion. But this take a strong mind and will to stick to your guns, it does not come without tempering yourself to deal with situations as they arise. You need to find that control of mind and body and this is what the Art is all about, becoming your own Master rather then the slave of others.
There will be days when you say, wow, I cant make workout, I am tired, or I have others things to do, or just missing one wont hurt me, I think I will relax today. These attitudes lead to defeat down the line in dealing with other matters other then the Gwan and its demands. Maybe the one workout missed wont hurt you, maybe it will because you have given in to your whims rather then saying NO! I will push myself to go, even if I am tired or busy with other matters. You just don't give in to being lazy or making excuses which is what Martial Arts pride themselves on, namely not giving up.
Most of the troubles in life will come from our own shortcomings to deal with situations and standing strong in the face of adversity. There are people who will try to deter you along the way, You have be a strong person to say, sorry, I have a class to make or sorry it is time for my home practice. The more you don't give into your self weaknesses, the stronger you get, in the final outcome nothing will ever deter you from completing tasks in life with a clear mind determination will to succeed.
I can say in all honesty I have never given in to myself when it came to training. When you do this, your life will revolve around your Arts, rather then the Arts revolving around your life. This in turn will lead you to self mastery which is the primary purpose of training, to change you into a strong determined individual who is independent and self sufficient and one sighted in your goals in life.
We all want to be happy in life, but happiness comes from making the right moves and to see the right move you must be clear sighted meaning you know the consequences of life are determined by your choices. Nobody can make the right choice for you, it must come from you and to come from you you must train yourself to be clear minded and follow through with any demands made to you. You never back off or slack off.
Yes, our Art is more the fighting, so much more! It is a Mastery over our weak self to that of the warrior self which lies within all of us. You just have to bring it out, then you can bask in the glory of your successes which come from proper decisions and follow through until what must be done is done. Don't let your life be guided by others, you must cut your own path in life, nobody can do that for you except yourself.
A Poem on the Arts
TRAINING...
The bells ring and I detect incenses,
Butterflies in my stomach have cooled their senses.
Enter the armory as a mere man,
Leave as warriors of the same clan.
Spread to four corners on the hard floor,
Contorting our bodies to melt our core.
The time is close at hand, let us prepare,
Place your cloth on the ground and wipe the floor bare.
All in a row, we are stakes in the ground,
We do not move, do not make a sound.
The teacher comes forth and our journey begins,
We bow our bodies, but raise our chins.
The doors are flung open for all to know,
We're in his world now with no place to go.
Working long and hard without much break,
For those who quit quick this was a mistake.
I've tried my best and my muscles all ache,
Even ones I didn't know that I could awake.
Pushing the limit as far as we can,
Reaching our goals with a guiding hand.
But its over now and we must go,
What wills me to stay I do not know.
I am reminded that the test isn't done,
Because life is a game that cannot be won.
Though, if I take time to practice my skills,
I'll be scaling more mountains than hills.
*** Author: Poem by Marc Gatien
Posted on our ACCS Blog for public consumption.
ShrYa
Life is a constant challenge, no day goes by without us having to make decisions and playing them out to a fruitful conclusion. But this take a strong mind and will to stick to your guns, it does not come without tempering yourself to deal with situations as they arise. You need to find that control of mind and body and this is what the Art is all about, becoming your own Master rather then the slave of others.
There will be days when you say, wow, I cant make workout, I am tired, or I have others things to do, or just missing one wont hurt me, I think I will relax today. These attitudes lead to defeat down the line in dealing with other matters other then the Gwan and its demands. Maybe the one workout missed wont hurt you, maybe it will because you have given in to your whims rather then saying NO! I will push myself to go, even if I am tired or busy with other matters. You just don't give in to being lazy or making excuses which is what Martial Arts pride themselves on, namely not giving up.
Most of the troubles in life will come from our own shortcomings to deal with situations and standing strong in the face of adversity. There are people who will try to deter you along the way, You have be a strong person to say, sorry, I have a class to make or sorry it is time for my home practice. The more you don't give into your self weaknesses, the stronger you get, in the final outcome nothing will ever deter you from completing tasks in life with a clear mind determination will to succeed.
I can say in all honesty I have never given in to myself when it came to training. When you do this, your life will revolve around your Arts, rather then the Arts revolving around your life. This in turn will lead you to self mastery which is the primary purpose of training, to change you into a strong determined individual who is independent and self sufficient and one sighted in your goals in life.
We all want to be happy in life, but happiness comes from making the right moves and to see the right move you must be clear sighted meaning you know the consequences of life are determined by your choices. Nobody can make the right choice for you, it must come from you and to come from you you must train yourself to be clear minded and follow through with any demands made to you. You never back off or slack off.
Yes, our Art is more the fighting, so much more! It is a Mastery over our weak self to that of the warrior self which lies within all of us. You just have to bring it out, then you can bask in the glory of your successes which come from proper decisions and follow through until what must be done is done. Don't let your life be guided by others, you must cut your own path in life, nobody can do that for you except yourself.
A Poem on the Arts
TRAINING...
The bells ring and I detect incenses,
Butterflies in my stomach have cooled their senses.
Enter the armory as a mere man,
Leave as warriors of the same clan.
Spread to four corners on the hard floor,
Contorting our bodies to melt our core.
The time is close at hand, let us prepare,
Place your cloth on the ground and wipe the floor bare.
All in a row, we are stakes in the ground,
We do not move, do not make a sound.
The teacher comes forth and our journey begins,
We bow our bodies, but raise our chins.
The doors are flung open for all to know,
We're in his world now with no place to go.
Working long and hard without much break,
For those who quit quick this was a mistake.
I've tried my best and my muscles all ache,
Even ones I didn't know that I could awake.
Pushing the limit as far as we can,
Reaching our goals with a guiding hand.
But its over now and we must go,
What wills me to stay I do not know.
I am reminded that the test isn't done,
Because life is a game that cannot be won.
Though, if I take time to practice my skills,
I'll be scaling more mountains than hills.
*** Author: Poem by Marc Gatien
Posted on our ACCS Blog for public consumption.
ShrYa
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Stupidity of Mankind.
This country Is now undergoing a great change. I don't want to scare people, but major changes are just around the corner and along with them will come more an more attacks by our lack of accepting the facts as they are. I believe the USA is getting weaker, not stronger and like Rome, we will go down in short order. As a Martial Artist I can small trouble coming, just be prepared is my only advice.
Why do I say this? Well because of human nature, and the interplay of Yin and Yang. There will always be those who want to fight for what they think is good. It may look bad to another but to those it is good and the right thing to do. There is no changing what others see as correct, just as you cant be convinced to their way of thinking. This brings conflict.
If people understood this fact then we as a country would take strong precautions to stop or limit the chances of attack, But what we have done thus far is just not enough to ward off attacks, being prepared is a Martial Arts tactic. When you lessen your guard, expect the attack. As I look out into the world affairs I see less precautions being taken, our guard is down because many have forgotten the rules of Sun Tzu. Therefore, attacks will be the result, and sooner or later, it will hit us hard, I see sooner rather then later.
Mankind is destructive, we just cant seem to live together in the world in harmony, We tend to fight among ourselves, or anyone who don't agree with us. Mankind has not learned by the long history of wars and conflict. Since man set foot in the world he has been fighting and this will continue until we all wipe our self off the face of the earth.
The only salvation is for man to wake up, and share the world, we are on an island in the universe, and there is no place we can find peace in the world. So sad, but true. We have been praying for peace since day one , but it has never come and this is due to a state of the unenlightened. They see differently then those who see the truth, love and peace.
Nothing will stop this drift towards total destruction, it is only a matter of time. My advice is to be prepared and ready for what will be, find love, find peace and accept things as they are. So when it all transpires you will be ready to face whatever it is we will face... Then you can die at peace. Mankind has been doomed since it creation because we are lost souls, who don't realize how to live in peace. Total world peace never existed since the dawn of man and never will until we end it with one Big Bang!
Until then, don't worry, there is little you can do once we the wheel is rolling, and as I see it, it is rolling a great deal faster now....
My only wish is that our next appearance into existence will be a better one then what we have created thus far.
Pray for peace, but don't hold your breath too long or you will meet you maker sooner rather then later..
I Pray I am totally Wrong!!! But somehow I don't think so...
Training in our Art will make you stronger to accept things as that are, and deal with them as they are. The events you cant change, just accept them and be prepared to face them bravely having faith and trust in the Dao.
Some may say this is another doomsday prediction, and we will be fine, but I say, if you understand how Yin and Yang works then where there is a beginning there must be an end. This is not a possible prediction, it is fact how yin and yang work......
Buddha Bless Us All
Why do I say this? Well because of human nature, and the interplay of Yin and Yang. There will always be those who want to fight for what they think is good. It may look bad to another but to those it is good and the right thing to do. There is no changing what others see as correct, just as you cant be convinced to their way of thinking. This brings conflict.
If people understood this fact then we as a country would take strong precautions to stop or limit the chances of attack, But what we have done thus far is just not enough to ward off attacks, being prepared is a Martial Arts tactic. When you lessen your guard, expect the attack. As I look out into the world affairs I see less precautions being taken, our guard is down because many have forgotten the rules of Sun Tzu. Therefore, attacks will be the result, and sooner or later, it will hit us hard, I see sooner rather then later.
Mankind is destructive, we just cant seem to live together in the world in harmony, We tend to fight among ourselves, or anyone who don't agree with us. Mankind has not learned by the long history of wars and conflict. Since man set foot in the world he has been fighting and this will continue until we all wipe our self off the face of the earth.
The only salvation is for man to wake up, and share the world, we are on an island in the universe, and there is no place we can find peace in the world. So sad, but true. We have been praying for peace since day one , but it has never come and this is due to a state of the unenlightened. They see differently then those who see the truth, love and peace.
Nothing will stop this drift towards total destruction, it is only a matter of time. My advice is to be prepared and ready for what will be, find love, find peace and accept things as they are. So when it all transpires you will be ready to face whatever it is we will face... Then you can die at peace. Mankind has been doomed since it creation because we are lost souls, who don't realize how to live in peace. Total world peace never existed since the dawn of man and never will until we end it with one Big Bang!
Until then, don't worry, there is little you can do once we the wheel is rolling, and as I see it, it is rolling a great deal faster now....
My only wish is that our next appearance into existence will be a better one then what we have created thus far.
Pray for peace, but don't hold your breath too long or you will meet you maker sooner rather then later..
I Pray I am totally Wrong!!! But somehow I don't think so...
Training in our Art will make you stronger to accept things as that are, and deal with them as they are. The events you cant change, just accept them and be prepared to face them bravely having faith and trust in the Dao.
Some may say this is another doomsday prediction, and we will be fine, but I say, if you understand how Yin and Yang works then where there is a beginning there must be an end. This is not a possible prediction, it is fact how yin and yang work......
Buddha Bless Us All
Monday, September 28, 2009
Six tips for staying happy...
1. Accept yourself – You are what you are, accept yourself and don't think for a minute you are either bad or good You are just you with all your faults as well as good points. This is what makes you, you. Love yourself for nobody else will love you the way you do..
2. Happiness is a state of mind - Try to remember really everything is as it should be, there is no bad nor good it all comes from your mind and the fear of not be considered Good. You are good. Your perfect, that's why your you. Don't look of happiness, it is with you now, just focus on it.
3. Prioritize your life - Lean towards the things you want to do, as opposed to what others want you to do. Of course find the balances, but never put your needs second, nobody else does, why should you? We all must find our won way, do not depend on others for your happiness.
4. Stay in the company of happy people - People who bring you down should be avoided. People who cry on your shoulder should find another shoulder not yours. Don't be with those who drain your spiritual energy and optimism. Be with those that boost your spirits and bring a smile to your face..
5. Be grateful - learn to be content and happy with what you have now, even if not much, enjoy it and don't become attached to material things. Be grateful for the moment no matter what it is, it can always be worse.
6. Have no expectations - Just take it as it comes, to have expectations to be setting yourself up for disappointments..
ShrYa
2. Happiness is a state of mind - Try to remember really everything is as it should be, there is no bad nor good it all comes from your mind and the fear of not be considered Good. You are good. Your perfect, that's why your you. Don't look of happiness, it is with you now, just focus on it.
3. Prioritize your life - Lean towards the things you want to do, as opposed to what others want you to do. Of course find the balances, but never put your needs second, nobody else does, why should you? We all must find our won way, do not depend on others for your happiness.
4. Stay in the company of happy people - People who bring you down should be avoided. People who cry on your shoulder should find another shoulder not yours. Don't be with those who drain your spiritual energy and optimism. Be with those that boost your spirits and bring a smile to your face..
5. Be grateful - learn to be content and happy with what you have now, even if not much, enjoy it and don't become attached to material things. Be grateful for the moment no matter what it is, it can always be worse.
6. Have no expectations - Just take it as it comes, to have expectations to be setting yourself up for disappointments..
ShrYa
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Misunderstood
The Martial Arts is more then just defense, tricks to overcome an opponent, it is so much more then just fighting, but that is the part most see when they hear the words Martial Arts. Actually it is a way of life, a path to self discovery, a discipline that can carry you through the hard times that life is sure to bring. It is a constant means for us to examine our inner most core, which is the very reason for our fears and lack of confidence to accomplish whatever life throws at us.
The Martial Arts is a journey to self discovery, of what makes you tick, it brings to light your good points and allows you to find ways to overcome your weak points. It is an adventure in learning the secrets of life itself, if you follow the path into your own existence. The forms and techniques are but tests to see if you can spot your weakness then overcome them. By mastering each form or technique your focus becomes that much more clear. You will learn the way to hold your attention on points you have overlooked for most, if not all of your life.
The Martial Art does not teach violence but rather the avoidance of it. It teaches you respect for human life and your follow man. It teaches you how to lessen your ego, and rather then enhance it, thus becoming a more compete human being who nature has been tempered by discovery of the truth of your existence. The Arts is a challenge for you to find patience, and fortitude, which is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty in trying times. It teach perseverance to tackle any task to it successful conclusion.
The Arts is far more then just fighting, in fact, it teaches us not to fight unless there is no other way out of a situation. You will never find a martial artists looking for a fight but rather trying to avoid it altogether. It teaches love for all mankind and respect for life in every form, be it human or animal or even insect. Killing is life greatest sin, and no martial artist wants to destroy any form of life but rather enhance it, embrace it, and help foster it in any way we can.
The Martial Arts is a way to liberation from the mundane and cruel world and leads it followers to a more sublime way of existence. It teaches us there is hope for all of us to improve our present human condition to that of a sage if we take it to it furthest ends. Yes, our Art is misunderstood by those that are not leading such a life style, but those involved know these truths and that is why our Art has survived of so many hundreds of decades and will continue to do so as long as mankind continues to search for truth, peace and harmony in life.
Buddha Bless and Kwan Yin Protect
The Martial Arts is a journey to self discovery, of what makes you tick, it brings to light your good points and allows you to find ways to overcome your weak points. It is an adventure in learning the secrets of life itself, if you follow the path into your own existence. The forms and techniques are but tests to see if you can spot your weakness then overcome them. By mastering each form or technique your focus becomes that much more clear. You will learn the way to hold your attention on points you have overlooked for most, if not all of your life.
The Martial Art does not teach violence but rather the avoidance of it. It teaches you respect for human life and your follow man. It teaches you how to lessen your ego, and rather then enhance it, thus becoming a more compete human being who nature has been tempered by discovery of the truth of your existence. The Arts is a challenge for you to find patience, and fortitude, which is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty in trying times. It teach perseverance to tackle any task to it successful conclusion.
The Arts is far more then just fighting, in fact, it teaches us not to fight unless there is no other way out of a situation. You will never find a martial artists looking for a fight but rather trying to avoid it altogether. It teaches love for all mankind and respect for life in every form, be it human or animal or even insect. Killing is life greatest sin, and no martial artist wants to destroy any form of life but rather enhance it, embrace it, and help foster it in any way we can.
The Martial Arts is a way to liberation from the mundane and cruel world and leads it followers to a more sublime way of existence. It teaches us there is hope for all of us to improve our present human condition to that of a sage if we take it to it furthest ends. Yes, our Art is misunderstood by those that are not leading such a life style, but those involved know these truths and that is why our Art has survived of so many hundreds of decades and will continue to do so as long as mankind continues to search for truth, peace and harmony in life.
Buddha Bless and Kwan Yin Protect
Friday, September 18, 2009
Money
If you look at the Commercial Martial Arts publications all they talk about is MONEY!! As if money is everything, here are some of their headlines in these magazines. Double Your Income, Make more Money, Triple your enrollment,and the list goes on. But in a Traditional School none of this is our concern. We would rather have less students and money then break our code. To a business minded person this can not be understood. But the bottom line is we don't consider ourselves a business we are a learning center. We cater to those who wish to improve their life in some way. To develop a good character and be a disciplined and caring people who are confident and unafraid to face the world and all it challenges. If we make less so be it, if don't have contracts that is good, because we don't want to force people to stay or pay absurd amounts of money, we want people who want us and not by contract.
Commercial schools are just that, commercial, that means money first caring second and only if the money is there or they don't care anymore that is when the phone calls starts coming in from the collection agencies asking for the money owned to them. In a traditional school the costs are low and we make arrangements for those who are low on funds. It is always a hand shake and commitment that binds us together, not a contract. A true traditionalist would rather close their school then go commercial. We would rather have ten dedicated students then two hundred students who are not so dedicated. We make no sense when it comes to commercialism, we brake every rule a good business man would put into effort to gain students. We simply want to teach what we love most, namely the Arts. In fact we rarely advertise our schools, we believe our love for the Arts and fair and honest instruction is enough good advertisement.
I am not against business that what make our country grow, but we are not in business we are in an Art Form, a Way of Life, a Discipline to enhance the quality of our life. Our goal is to make friends and build a good character and develop confidence in our own abilities. This was how the Arts has survived all these centuries, it a love for what we do and the relationships we make along the way. Money is never the object of the having a school, as we say in the Arts, " there are no pockets in a shroud", so the accumulation of money is unless in the end. But love last forever, good deeds are long remembered, and lasting friendships are just priceless. Both money and greed are everywhere, and they have had some very negative effects on this world since the beginning, it not going to change anytime soon ether..
The Arts is more then fighting, that is the least important gift this Art offers, what is really important is to learn how not to fight by making friendships and learning to respect others and their feelings. We have noting to prove with the exception of becoming better people, more self reliant and unafraid to face whatever life throws at us, and for sure it will to all of us at some point in life. I have been teaching my whole life and my bank account is empty but my heart is full of love for what I do and the people I have meet over the years. When we teach, we do it out of Love for what we have, and only want to share this wonderful experience with anyone willing to step on the path.
Buddha Bless
ACCS
Commercial schools are just that, commercial, that means money first caring second and only if the money is there or they don't care anymore that is when the phone calls starts coming in from the collection agencies asking for the money owned to them. In a traditional school the costs are low and we make arrangements for those who are low on funds. It is always a hand shake and commitment that binds us together, not a contract. A true traditionalist would rather close their school then go commercial. We would rather have ten dedicated students then two hundred students who are not so dedicated. We make no sense when it comes to commercialism, we brake every rule a good business man would put into effort to gain students. We simply want to teach what we love most, namely the Arts. In fact we rarely advertise our schools, we believe our love for the Arts and fair and honest instruction is enough good advertisement.
I am not against business that what make our country grow, but we are not in business we are in an Art Form, a Way of Life, a Discipline to enhance the quality of our life. Our goal is to make friends and build a good character and develop confidence in our own abilities. This was how the Arts has survived all these centuries, it a love for what we do and the relationships we make along the way. Money is never the object of the having a school, as we say in the Arts, " there are no pockets in a shroud", so the accumulation of money is unless in the end. But love last forever, good deeds are long remembered, and lasting friendships are just priceless. Both money and greed are everywhere, and they have had some very negative effects on this world since the beginning, it not going to change anytime soon ether..
The Arts is more then fighting, that is the least important gift this Art offers, what is really important is to learn how not to fight by making friendships and learning to respect others and their feelings. We have noting to prove with the exception of becoming better people, more self reliant and unafraid to face whatever life throws at us, and for sure it will to all of us at some point in life. I have been teaching my whole life and my bank account is empty but my heart is full of love for what I do and the people I have meet over the years. When we teach, we do it out of Love for what we have, and only want to share this wonderful experience with anyone willing to step on the path.
Buddha Bless
ACCS
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Brother and Sisterhood
I have yet to see a stronger bond then that of Martial Artist. It is truly your extended family, people who you train and sweat with, people who share the same goals and desire as you. People who believe in the same ideals as you and people who share your beliefs on loyalty, honor and respect. This is a martial arts family and no matter where we are in the world we stay together always in touch always helping out the other in any way we can. This is the family of martial artists.
I have almost no personal friends for a simple reason, we don't share the same goals and ideals as those of my brothers and sisters in the arts. We don't like the same things and we don't spend our time talking or practicing the arts. Therefore why bother with people who I don't have much in common with? All those around me are in some way connected to the Arts, even if not from your school it is still the Martial Arts and all martial artists share almost the same foundations no matter what the style as long has it is a legitimate arts style, Karate or Kung Fu or whatever, we all love the same principles and philosophy.
I have had contact with these people for over thirty years and we still send each other birthday cards and well wishes. What we have in common few understand outside the arts. We are indeed a fraternity of special people who share the same love namely the ARTS. If any of you stay in this art long enough you to will find your life revolving around your brothers and sisters. They will be the ones you associate with the most because therein you will find those that you are in agreement with your actions and thoughts about life and it meanings and how best to live it. We all help each other with moral support in times of need. And if one needs help, we all help any of our brothers or sisters without a second thought.
I think this alone is worth having in life, namely people you can trust and rely on. Friends come and go but martial arts brothers and sisters stay close to each other until each others last breath. I have never seen such devotion to traditions as that of martial artist. We are bound by our love for this discipline.
I hope those of you who are studying now stay long enough to find what many of us have found who are in the Art for years. The binding of our souls and striving to archive the perfections this art offers in return for your dedication. When I am in my Gwan I am at home, and I hope your feeling the same, if not it is only because you have not been there long enough or your don't get as involved as you should. If you do the next thing you will find is many people standing by your side who will always remain true to you and offer a helping hand in your times of need and as well sharing your good times and bad times as well. They will be your strength, your happiness and your souls mates now and for the rest of your life.
I will say it again, Martial Artists are the best people in the world, and I am proud to be a part of them . You are all my family, and I hope you consider me a part of yours? I am there for you for one simply reason, we are martial artists which means we are FAMILY!!!
Ma ShrYa
Buddha Bless
I have almost no personal friends for a simple reason, we don't share the same goals and ideals as those of my brothers and sisters in the arts. We don't like the same things and we don't spend our time talking or practicing the arts. Therefore why bother with people who I don't have much in common with? All those around me are in some way connected to the Arts, even if not from your school it is still the Martial Arts and all martial artists share almost the same foundations no matter what the style as long has it is a legitimate arts style, Karate or Kung Fu or whatever, we all love the same principles and philosophy.
I have had contact with these people for over thirty years and we still send each other birthday cards and well wishes. What we have in common few understand outside the arts. We are indeed a fraternity of special people who share the same love namely the ARTS. If any of you stay in this art long enough you to will find your life revolving around your brothers and sisters. They will be the ones you associate with the most because therein you will find those that you are in agreement with your actions and thoughts about life and it meanings and how best to live it. We all help each other with moral support in times of need. And if one needs help, we all help any of our brothers or sisters without a second thought.
I think this alone is worth having in life, namely people you can trust and rely on. Friends come and go but martial arts brothers and sisters stay close to each other until each others last breath. I have never seen such devotion to traditions as that of martial artist. We are bound by our love for this discipline.
I hope those of you who are studying now stay long enough to find what many of us have found who are in the Art for years. The binding of our souls and striving to archive the perfections this art offers in return for your dedication. When I am in my Gwan I am at home, and I hope your feeling the same, if not it is only because you have not been there long enough or your don't get as involved as you should. If you do the next thing you will find is many people standing by your side who will always remain true to you and offer a helping hand in your times of need and as well sharing your good times and bad times as well. They will be your strength, your happiness and your souls mates now and for the rest of your life.
I will say it again, Martial Artists are the best people in the world, and I am proud to be a part of them . You are all my family, and I hope you consider me a part of yours? I am there for you for one simply reason, we are martial artists which means we are FAMILY!!!
Ma ShrYa
Buddha Bless
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Don'ts
Here are ten points that will assure your success in learning a Martial Art.
1. Don't compare yourself to other students, only focus on yourself.
2. Don't become discouraged with slow progress, it comes in stages.
3. Don't become complacent, or your will miss the real secrets.
4. Don't rush to learn, let it come naturally, just rather enjoy the journey.
5. Don't ever think you are reached your fullest potentials or the learning is over.
6. Don't be afraid to invest in loss. In winning all the time, you will lose the lessons gained by lose, therein lies the greatest of secrets.
7. Don't be afraid to face your errors, errors are the mother of learning, if you look at them.
8. Don't become lazy in your training, always put your best foot forward.
9. Don't expect anything but do everything and you wont miss a beat.
10. Don't ever give up on yourself, you are worth it.
As I have often said; Learning the Arts is not difficult, it is YOU who are hard to teach. Within all of you lie the Master, All you need do is bring him/her out into the open. This comes from the intent of ones desire to achieve the best for themselves. Sort out your weak points and accentuate your strong points. This is the key to the door to release the master within you.
ShrYa
1. Don't compare yourself to other students, only focus on yourself.
2. Don't become discouraged with slow progress, it comes in stages.
3. Don't become complacent, or your will miss the real secrets.
4. Don't rush to learn, let it come naturally, just rather enjoy the journey.
5. Don't ever think you are reached your fullest potentials or the learning is over.
6. Don't be afraid to invest in loss. In winning all the time, you will lose the lessons gained by lose, therein lies the greatest of secrets.
7. Don't be afraid to face your errors, errors are the mother of learning, if you look at them.
8. Don't become lazy in your training, always put your best foot forward.
9. Don't expect anything but do everything and you wont miss a beat.
10. Don't ever give up on yourself, you are worth it.
As I have often said; Learning the Arts is not difficult, it is YOU who are hard to teach. Within all of you lie the Master, All you need do is bring him/her out into the open. This comes from the intent of ones desire to achieve the best for themselves. Sort out your weak points and accentuate your strong points. This is the key to the door to release the master within you.
ShrYa
Violence
We all have to understand one fact before I say anything else. Violence in part of the human nature whether you think so or not. It is a part of our fight or flight response which is no different then the animal world which we are a part of. For some it takes little or nothing to get them into a rage while others can take an huge amount of provocation before they will explode but in the final analysis is we will all reach a certain point then explode and at that point, you have two choices namely to run or fight, and if you cant run you will fight.
Violence is part of you, all you can do is to try to keep cool and do nothing unless there is no other recourse then, fight without reservation. After you know you did your very best to avoid the situation then it time to defend yourself and never feel sorry for defending yourself, if you don't defend yourself who will do it for you? Some like to think they are not capable of violence but when confronted with a life and death situation this would be the furthermost thought from their mind and they would lash out against whoever is assaulting them, it is only a human reaction to survive.
As I have always said every encounter you ever get into will be lost because of the fact you got into the encounter in the first place. As I have always said, fighting is the lowest form of arbitration but there are times when words or actions mean nothing and you just have to defend yourself or be brutally beaten up if not killed. Nobody wants to fight and hurt people unless there is something wrong with their mind, but sadly there are those types as well, so learning a dependable defense system is of great need.
Violence in any form is ugly and the very meaning of the Martial Arts is to form good relationships with people and find ways to control our violent nature by self examination and justifying all our actions through the disciplines with learn in our martial art philosophy. We learn to respect all people as well as diminish the intensity of our ego. In simple words we learn to let things go, like water off a ducks back. Of course this does not mean we are willing to take a beating if attacked, it means we will do everything within our power to avoid situations where violence may be needed. This is the best we can do as humans, just try to get along with others and respect others opinions and you will limit violent encounters by fifty percent or more with a good attitude like this.
But having said all this violence still exists in the world and we as martial artists are always alert to sudden attacks without provocation. Then we don't think any more we just act or pay the consequences. Unless there is a second coming and only love exists I don't see any changes in human kind, we are what we are and what we are is the human animal that will fight like any another animal when pushed into a corner. Therefore our art which does not teach violence but rather how to survive it, must be used. Those that hesitate are simply beaten up, robbed or killed. Remember, even Jesus used violence in the Temple to show his distaste for human greed. And the God of Abraham said Vengeance is mine. If God can get pissed off sometimes I think your entitled to the same for the sake of justice and self survival.. What do you think?
Buddha Bless
Violence is part of you, all you can do is to try to keep cool and do nothing unless there is no other recourse then, fight without reservation. After you know you did your very best to avoid the situation then it time to defend yourself and never feel sorry for defending yourself, if you don't defend yourself who will do it for you? Some like to think they are not capable of violence but when confronted with a life and death situation this would be the furthermost thought from their mind and they would lash out against whoever is assaulting them, it is only a human reaction to survive.
As I have always said every encounter you ever get into will be lost because of the fact you got into the encounter in the first place. As I have always said, fighting is the lowest form of arbitration but there are times when words or actions mean nothing and you just have to defend yourself or be brutally beaten up if not killed. Nobody wants to fight and hurt people unless there is something wrong with their mind, but sadly there are those types as well, so learning a dependable defense system is of great need.
Violence in any form is ugly and the very meaning of the Martial Arts is to form good relationships with people and find ways to control our violent nature by self examination and justifying all our actions through the disciplines with learn in our martial art philosophy. We learn to respect all people as well as diminish the intensity of our ego. In simple words we learn to let things go, like water off a ducks back. Of course this does not mean we are willing to take a beating if attacked, it means we will do everything within our power to avoid situations where violence may be needed. This is the best we can do as humans, just try to get along with others and respect others opinions and you will limit violent encounters by fifty percent or more with a good attitude like this.
But having said all this violence still exists in the world and we as martial artists are always alert to sudden attacks without provocation. Then we don't think any more we just act or pay the consequences. Unless there is a second coming and only love exists I don't see any changes in human kind, we are what we are and what we are is the human animal that will fight like any another animal when pushed into a corner. Therefore our art which does not teach violence but rather how to survive it, must be used. Those that hesitate are simply beaten up, robbed or killed. Remember, even Jesus used violence in the Temple to show his distaste for human greed. And the God of Abraham said Vengeance is mine. If God can get pissed off sometimes I think your entitled to the same for the sake of justice and self survival.. What do you think?
Buddha Bless
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Freedom to Live
If you knew today was you last day on earth, and not worried about it, what would you really like to do? Well whatever your answer is, ask yourself why then are you not doing that today? People tend to think somebody else is going to die today, but not me. Child or adult it makes no difference to death. Children die everyday by the thousands in this world. Death is ageless, It has no regard for your present age, conditions young and old alike die, it takes you when your time comes without a second thought. None of this is being said to frighten you, but rather to remind you of what you should remind yourself each day of your life. If you do, you wont let a moment go by so quickly, you will embrace it and savor the moment for what it is no matter what your doing.
Death can change the quality of your life by the gentle reminder to live fully and learn, and enjoy and don't be afraid to live freely, savoring your desires to know and experience them freely. You can even be thankful for "bad" things because often they lead to something positive through learning, changing and growing. The secret to happiness is having your basic physical needs sustainably met for health warmth, clean air, clean water, nutritious food, rest and movement, and a variety of interesting things to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, having the freedom to make your own decisions about your life, without fear of criticism from others for your life style.
According to Karmic Law we are born for certain periods time so as to balance our Karmic scale then and only then can we leave this vibrational state of existence so we may move upward in evolutionary development. I asked, in one of my email's, are you really free? Well, the answer to that question is NO! Only those who are awakened are really free. Until that day arrives you are a slave caught in the illusion, this is not freedom, it is slavery is of the worst kind. As long as you are trapped by the illusion of Yin and Yang you will always lean one way or the other, and never finding balance, thus freedom.
You are not free, you are captive, forever, choosing this or that, fearful of this or that, denying this or that, judging this or that and even with your judgement calls you wont be find satisfaction. In your heart you will be wishing it were different, but the power of the dream is too overwhelming for the average person to overcome. You need a discipline, a path a direction to follow so as to be shown the clearing ahead to the top of the mountain, the way through the dream, and into reality, then you will be fully awake and thus fully alive and content with life as it is, without the phoniness associated with the dream. You will be truly alive and free then and only then.
Freedom is happiness, freedom from your Master namely the illusion. You can live happier today if you take the chains off your free will, live as you feel, your inner naturalness cant make a mistake, only the thinking calculating mind can cause confusion and doubt. Until you are free you will always remain the slave of the illusion. You make your decisions according to societies rules, not yours, you live according to societies demands, not yours, You do this because of the threat of punishment by society or others criticisms if your don't. You are not your own master as long as you are caught in this web of yin and yang. Some will say we have no choice, it is either yin or yang, what else is there? There is choice not to take either, it is the third choose not spoken of by society because it is to dangerous for societies survival. The sage takes neither choice but rather simply follows his or her inner callings.
This reminds me of a story I have told before; but I will tell it again for those who not read it. There were two monks walking down a road, when they came upon a large floor of water blocking the path. There by the flooded waters stood a woman wondering how she was going to pass over the water without getting herself wet. Now monks are not supposed to touch or even look at woman for fear it would arise sexual thoughts, but one of the monks picked the woman up into his arms and carried her across the water and put her down on the other side. The other monks was shocked, and after some time asked his follow monk, "how could you do that?" "Do what? Replied the other monk." Pick up that woman, was his reply. The other monk looked at him and said, I put her down hours ago,, yet you still carry her, why so?... End of story
This is an example of what we do each day of our life, carry our fears with us, if we but put it all down and forget good or bad, yin or yang we could learn to do what we see fit to do without guilt or shame. Simply doing what comes naturally, without regrets. Knowing the ways of existence brings with it the freedom to break free of the dream and live as nature intended you to live. FREE At Last!!! FREE at Last!!
Buddha Bless
Death can change the quality of your life by the gentle reminder to live fully and learn, and enjoy and don't be afraid to live freely, savoring your desires to know and experience them freely. You can even be thankful for "bad" things because often they lead to something positive through learning, changing and growing. The secret to happiness is having your basic physical needs sustainably met for health warmth, clean air, clean water, nutritious food, rest and movement, and a variety of interesting things to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, having the freedom to make your own decisions about your life, without fear of criticism from others for your life style.
According to Karmic Law we are born for certain periods time so as to balance our Karmic scale then and only then can we leave this vibrational state of existence so we may move upward in evolutionary development. I asked, in one of my email's, are you really free? Well, the answer to that question is NO! Only those who are awakened are really free. Until that day arrives you are a slave caught in the illusion, this is not freedom, it is slavery is of the worst kind. As long as you are trapped by the illusion of Yin and Yang you will always lean one way or the other, and never finding balance, thus freedom.
You are not free, you are captive, forever, choosing this or that, fearful of this or that, denying this or that, judging this or that and even with your judgement calls you wont be find satisfaction. In your heart you will be wishing it were different, but the power of the dream is too overwhelming for the average person to overcome. You need a discipline, a path a direction to follow so as to be shown the clearing ahead to the top of the mountain, the way through the dream, and into reality, then you will be fully awake and thus fully alive and content with life as it is, without the phoniness associated with the dream. You will be truly alive and free then and only then.
Freedom is happiness, freedom from your Master namely the illusion. You can live happier today if you take the chains off your free will, live as you feel, your inner naturalness cant make a mistake, only the thinking calculating mind can cause confusion and doubt. Until you are free you will always remain the slave of the illusion. You make your decisions according to societies rules, not yours, you live according to societies demands, not yours, You do this because of the threat of punishment by society or others criticisms if your don't. You are not your own master as long as you are caught in this web of yin and yang. Some will say we have no choice, it is either yin or yang, what else is there? There is choice not to take either, it is the third choose not spoken of by society because it is to dangerous for societies survival. The sage takes neither choice but rather simply follows his or her inner callings.
This reminds me of a story I have told before; but I will tell it again for those who not read it. There were two monks walking down a road, when they came upon a large floor of water blocking the path. There by the flooded waters stood a woman wondering how she was going to pass over the water without getting herself wet. Now monks are not supposed to touch or even look at woman for fear it would arise sexual thoughts, but one of the monks picked the woman up into his arms and carried her across the water and put her down on the other side. The other monks was shocked, and after some time asked his follow monk, "how could you do that?" "Do what? Replied the other monk." Pick up that woman, was his reply. The other monk looked at him and said, I put her down hours ago,, yet you still carry her, why so?... End of story
This is an example of what we do each day of our life, carry our fears with us, if we but put it all down and forget good or bad, yin or yang we could learn to do what we see fit to do without guilt or shame. Simply doing what comes naturally, without regrets. Knowing the ways of existence brings with it the freedom to break free of the dream and live as nature intended you to live. FREE At Last!!! FREE at Last!!
Buddha Bless
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Martial Arts Beliefs
Tantra, Buddhism , Taoism all speak of finding the truth of existence. There will always be those who seek Religions, and some also practice Buddhism or Taoism or Tantra as a religion, but they are not. Once you change these philosophies into religions you are lost again. They are not religions they are philosophies that don't center on a God but rather theories of existence that make a great deal of sense when analyzed closely.
We as humans have always sought after the power that created the wonders around us. We associated all this with a being that did it all and it is this being who judges us and control all the wonders of the universe out of chaos, yet everything is perfect in every way. This order is unexplainable so they associate it a higher power, rather then the perfection of existence. The Chinese don't have a name for God, so they call it the workings of the Tao. A force that although appears to be chaotic is perfect. So we assume there is some kind of control, therefore there must be a God doing all this.
What is the Tao nobody knows, it is beyond our human comprehension. But logically speaking with such order out of disorder their must be some form of awareness of consciousness in control or everything would cease to exist. In reality there is nothing to pray to nothing to fear there is no sin there is no hell there is no heaven. There is only what you project to be real. The sad part of this is we are like a genie in a bottle, what we wish for will at some point come into existence. If you believe in a hell, you will create one. This story came's from the New Testament. The was a place just outside of Rome where dead bodies were dumped, it become know as the place of hell. So hell was born into the imagination, we create our a dream and believe in it and with this belief the dream becomes real in time.
There is a greater power, but don't associate it with some being who will judge you, you will in the final analysis judge yourself. There is no being that wants to dam you to eternal damnation, you will do that yourself, this your are capable of without the help of any one God. You are a product of nature, or should I say existence. Like all other creations you are subject to the laws of the universe, the laws of creation and destruction. You are never ending, you are nothing more then the matter which is physical material as opposed to spiritual; you are a substance of a particular composition and consistency ( mass,is a fundamental concept in physics) of the universe in human form.
If you understand all this and believe it you can live fear free knowing all is as it should be. That's you will never die, but only take on new form as matter evolves into a different form of mass. There is nothing good nor bad, it is only how you define things. Yet people live their lives in fear of breaking some kind of law that will condemn them to eternal punishment. They live the whole life in fear of doing something wrong. You cant ! You cant change your roll as a human, You can change your thinking but not your humanness. Just live as you feel this will come from your humanness, you don't need a manual on humanness, to find out how to live, or follow some prescribed way to live. A dog follow his nature, so should a human being. You would say it is ridiculous to have a bible for the dogs, they are dogs and should live as a dog lives and nothing more. Yet we do that already as humans. This is because humans don’t know who they are to begin with and the dogs do.
Fear freezes you up, restricts your life and happiness, All this comes from believing is children's stories. Free you spirit, live freely, you are intrinsically good, not evil. I ask you what in the universe is evil??? As they say:: Its all Good! Now live as you feel, and feel as you live...
Buddha Bless
We as humans have always sought after the power that created the wonders around us. We associated all this with a being that did it all and it is this being who judges us and control all the wonders of the universe out of chaos, yet everything is perfect in every way. This order is unexplainable so they associate it a higher power, rather then the perfection of existence. The Chinese don't have a name for God, so they call it the workings of the Tao. A force that although appears to be chaotic is perfect. So we assume there is some kind of control, therefore there must be a God doing all this.
What is the Tao nobody knows, it is beyond our human comprehension. But logically speaking with such order out of disorder their must be some form of awareness of consciousness in control or everything would cease to exist. In reality there is nothing to pray to nothing to fear there is no sin there is no hell there is no heaven. There is only what you project to be real. The sad part of this is we are like a genie in a bottle, what we wish for will at some point come into existence. If you believe in a hell, you will create one. This story came's from the New Testament. The was a place just outside of Rome where dead bodies were dumped, it become know as the place of hell. So hell was born into the imagination, we create our a dream and believe in it and with this belief the dream becomes real in time.
There is a greater power, but don't associate it with some being who will judge you, you will in the final analysis judge yourself. There is no being that wants to dam you to eternal damnation, you will do that yourself, this your are capable of without the help of any one God. You are a product of nature, or should I say existence. Like all other creations you are subject to the laws of the universe, the laws of creation and destruction. You are never ending, you are nothing more then the matter which is physical material as opposed to spiritual; you are a substance of a particular composition and consistency ( mass,is a fundamental concept in physics) of the universe in human form.
If you understand all this and believe it you can live fear free knowing all is as it should be. That's you will never die, but only take on new form as matter evolves into a different form of mass. There is nothing good nor bad, it is only how you define things. Yet people live their lives in fear of breaking some kind of law that will condemn them to eternal punishment. They live the whole life in fear of doing something wrong. You cant ! You cant change your roll as a human, You can change your thinking but not your humanness. Just live as you feel this will come from your humanness, you don't need a manual on humanness, to find out how to live, or follow some prescribed way to live. A dog follow his nature, so should a human being. You would say it is ridiculous to have a bible for the dogs, they are dogs and should live as a dog lives and nothing more. Yet we do that already as humans. This is because humans don’t know who they are to begin with and the dogs do.
Fear freezes you up, restricts your life and happiness, All this comes from believing is children's stories. Free you spirit, live freely, you are intrinsically good, not evil. I ask you what in the universe is evil??? As they say:: Its all Good! Now live as you feel, and feel as you live...
Buddha Bless
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Real Character
As my student Master level Eric Sbarge so apply put it " which would you rather have it say on your tombstone, " Here lies a man who could kick your butt" or " He lies a man who was compassionate, gentle and loving" Well said Eric!, because in essence that's what it is all about in life. Living life in harmony with others and the world around us. Here is another paradox of Taoist thought; You are important and unique, there is no question of that, and your existence matters so as to maintain the balance of the universe, but on the other hand you are insignificant in the scope of things.
What counts in life is how you deal with life. Don't take it so seriously, yet, don't' miss the chance, there is that annoying paradox of Zen again. It is important yet, it is unimportant, both exist, you have to balance the both of them. What matters is finding the balance of things, as the saying goes; a balanced scale neither goes up nor down, but rather finds it center and stops..
Nothing matters yet everything matters, down to the last second of human life. We have to find the important points of life. It not making money, or attaining the American Dream, it is finding peace, contentment, and banishing our fears. Money is meaningless paper. Yet people call money the root of all evil, still I say it is not, people are the root of all evil. Money is ok if you don't make it an another obsession. All you really need is a roof over your head for shelter and some food, maybe a place you can call your own where you can hide from the world , we tend to call this place... HOME. That's all you really need, all else it simply over extravagance, unneeded, garbage.
So what is good character? The dictionary defines it as : a quality indicative of the nature of an object or an organism. So, if you look you will see the word nature. So the word character doesn't necessarily mean what you think it means, like saying this person is; loyal, or selfish, or friendly, or nasty. This has nothing to do with our real nature. These are qualities are inherited by being infected by the illusion. Character means what is in your heart, knowing who and what you are. Knowing what's really important that brings you into balance with your nature. You are part of the Tao, there is no escape of what you are, Your were born out of existence, and will end by moving back into existence. Your character is that which comes with inherent humanness.
The character I speak of is your real character which comes from the Tao not society or your upbringing. But I ask you how real are you now, what role are you playing now, how are you fooling yourself today? As I keep reminding you, don't live by society rules, they changing day by day. Live by natures rules, have been in existence since the conception of time was realized. These are the essential rules to live by, it should be easy as this nature comes with your appearance into existence at the time of your birth, but the second after birth the conditioning starts and we loss our real nature into the ever developing illusion, obstructing the truth of who you are..
Be yourself, but without the phoniness society imposes on you. Live as you feel, and feel as you live, experience life as it was meant to be experienced before you were blinded by the illusion. There is no sin greater then missing the point of your existence. Because if you miss, you will continue to suffer, your life will be enslaved by your fears, you will continue to seek the unattainable from an illusion. The sad part is that you know it is a dream yet, your still pilled into it, helpless as a new born infant, this is the only sin. That's is why we all must continue to work toward freeing ourselves, so our real nature can emerge, this is enlightenment.
Your character is the same as mine, if we strip away the influences of society and reveal the dream for what it is, we will all understand this point clearly. We are the human animal, homosapien. As humans, we seek to understand and influence the environment around us by trying to explain and manipulate natural phenomena. Here is where we make the mistake, don't try to manipulate, rather we all must learn to flow with the Tao and again be part of our original nature. One who does, their character will naturally be a good one, for they will be in harmony with their naturalness and that naturalness is the Tao.
Buddha Bless
What counts in life is how you deal with life. Don't take it so seriously, yet, don't' miss the chance, there is that annoying paradox of Zen again. It is important yet, it is unimportant, both exist, you have to balance the both of them. What matters is finding the balance of things, as the saying goes; a balanced scale neither goes up nor down, but rather finds it center and stops..
Nothing matters yet everything matters, down to the last second of human life. We have to find the important points of life. It not making money, or attaining the American Dream, it is finding peace, contentment, and banishing our fears. Money is meaningless paper. Yet people call money the root of all evil, still I say it is not, people are the root of all evil. Money is ok if you don't make it an another obsession. All you really need is a roof over your head for shelter and some food, maybe a place you can call your own where you can hide from the world , we tend to call this place... HOME. That's all you really need, all else it simply over extravagance, unneeded, garbage.
So what is good character? The dictionary defines it as : a quality indicative of the nature of an object or an organism. So, if you look you will see the word nature. So the word character doesn't necessarily mean what you think it means, like saying this person is; loyal, or selfish, or friendly, or nasty. This has nothing to do with our real nature. These are qualities are inherited by being infected by the illusion. Character means what is in your heart, knowing who and what you are. Knowing what's really important that brings you into balance with your nature. You are part of the Tao, there is no escape of what you are, Your were born out of existence, and will end by moving back into existence. Your character is that which comes with inherent humanness.
The character I speak of is your real character which comes from the Tao not society or your upbringing. But I ask you how real are you now, what role are you playing now, how are you fooling yourself today? As I keep reminding you, don't live by society rules, they changing day by day. Live by natures rules, have been in existence since the conception of time was realized. These are the essential rules to live by, it should be easy as this nature comes with your appearance into existence at the time of your birth, but the second after birth the conditioning starts and we loss our real nature into the ever developing illusion, obstructing the truth of who you are..
Be yourself, but without the phoniness society imposes on you. Live as you feel, and feel as you live, experience life as it was meant to be experienced before you were blinded by the illusion. There is no sin greater then missing the point of your existence. Because if you miss, you will continue to suffer, your life will be enslaved by your fears, you will continue to seek the unattainable from an illusion. The sad part is that you know it is a dream yet, your still pilled into it, helpless as a new born infant, this is the only sin. That's is why we all must continue to work toward freeing ourselves, so our real nature can emerge, this is enlightenment.
Your character is the same as mine, if we strip away the influences of society and reveal the dream for what it is, we will all understand this point clearly. We are the human animal, homosapien. As humans, we seek to understand and influence the environment around us by trying to explain and manipulate natural phenomena. Here is where we make the mistake, don't try to manipulate, rather we all must learn to flow with the Tao and again be part of our original nature. One who does, their character will naturally be a good one, for they will be in harmony with their naturalness and that naturalness is the Tao.
Buddha Bless
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Great Search
Life is a search, a constant search, a desperate search but what your searching for you have no idea. All you know is your missing something but you know not what it is, so the search is always on.
Whatever you find never seem to be what your looking for, whatever you find bring you no satisfaction, your search leads you again to searching again for the elusive something that will bring satisfaction, but it never does.
There is a certain state of mind in which whatsoever you get is not going to bring you satisfaction. Frustration seems to be the destiny of humanity, because whatever you get becomes meaningless. The moment you get it, you start searching again.
The reason for this frustration is because what you are searching for does not quench the thirst of the soul. Until you find the truth it is like drinking salt water, the more you drink the sicker you become and the thirst is never quenched.
The answer lies in finding the truth, then the search is over, this is enlightenment, like drinking pure cool water, the thirst is GONE..........
There is nothing in the world that will help you, for Truth is not part of this illusion, it is fake, salt water, it looks like water but it is not, drinking it does nothing but make you sick.
Look for the reality, there you will find the cool stream you seek, the search will be over, your thirst will be quenched.........
A true martial arts school main focus is finding the pure stream of salt free water; thus bringing the follower the relief they seek in life. It is so much more them fighting, fighting is easy, just go slap someone in the face, and the fight is on, but try finding love, compassion, and forgiveness, and all fights come to an end. Truth will set you free of the eternal search.
Whatever you find never seem to be what your looking for, whatever you find bring you no satisfaction, your search leads you again to searching again for the elusive something that will bring satisfaction, but it never does.
There is a certain state of mind in which whatsoever you get is not going to bring you satisfaction. Frustration seems to be the destiny of humanity, because whatever you get becomes meaningless. The moment you get it, you start searching again.
The reason for this frustration is because what you are searching for does not quench the thirst of the soul. Until you find the truth it is like drinking salt water, the more you drink the sicker you become and the thirst is never quenched.
The answer lies in finding the truth, then the search is over, this is enlightenment, like drinking pure cool water, the thirst is GONE..........
There is nothing in the world that will help you, for Truth is not part of this illusion, it is fake, salt water, it looks like water but it is not, drinking it does nothing but make you sick.
Look for the reality, there you will find the cool stream you seek, the search will be over, your thirst will be quenched.........
A true martial arts school main focus is finding the pure stream of salt free water; thus bringing the follower the relief they seek in life. It is so much more them fighting, fighting is easy, just go slap someone in the face, and the fight is on, but try finding love, compassion, and forgiveness, and all fights come to an end. Truth will set you free of the eternal search.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ego
Martial arts Teachers are some of the nicest people I have ever meet. I would say just about everyone I have ever known in the arts has been a perfect gentleman or lady. However, there are those who only seek to be famous in the Arts and those few are some of the most devious people I have ever meet. I am glad to say the percentage is very low, but they do exist, and you should be aware of them.
You should be able to tell if you meet a Teacher who seems to be trying to prove how great he or she is. If you spot one of them just leave the school because your in for nothing but trouble and extremely bad teachings that do not agree with our Kung Fu ethics which 99% of us believe in and live by. A True Master is a pure gentleman in every sense of the word. But there are those who only want to be recognized as the Best in the arts. They will claim they have privy information no one else has or special skills nobody else processes. Or they will boast of being the toughest and unbeaten fighter there is. They will lie and cover the truth so as to get you to think how great they are, and how lucky you are to be able to join their school.
However, a true master is modest, caring and has a gentle nature. They have nothing to prove to anyone. They stand by their well earned reputation and associations which will verify their skill level. Once you meet a true Master you will feel his or her warmth and good character. On the other hand when meeting a egotistical so called Master their ego will be easy to see. But beware, some of them can be very cunning as well, and will do most anything to make you believe theirs is the best system and they are the only ones who have such a high rank or status in the arts.
It is sad for me to say this, as most all the people I know in the Martial Arts are really wonderful people who have shed their ego and have come to realize their own shortcomings and are always at work to make themselves better yet and do all they can to help those who seek true martial arts training.
Just like any other profession there will always be the bad apple in the group, just because someone claims to be this or that does not make them good people. So when thinking of joining a school ask to see the head Master, if he/she makes you feel welcome and has what appears to be a gentle and kind personality then chances are they are just fine and you can learn from them very well. But if that person seems gruff and mean or boasting about his title or skills and putting down others Masters or schools you should head for the door and find another school.
You should be able to tell if you meet a Teacher who seems to be trying to prove how great he or she is. If you spot one of them just leave the school because your in for nothing but trouble and extremely bad teachings that do not agree with our Kung Fu ethics which 99% of us believe in and live by. A True Master is a pure gentleman in every sense of the word. But there are those who only want to be recognized as the Best in the arts. They will claim they have privy information no one else has or special skills nobody else processes. Or they will boast of being the toughest and unbeaten fighter there is. They will lie and cover the truth so as to get you to think how great they are, and how lucky you are to be able to join their school.
However, a true master is modest, caring and has a gentle nature. They have nothing to prove to anyone. They stand by their well earned reputation and associations which will verify their skill level. Once you meet a true Master you will feel his or her warmth and good character. On the other hand when meeting a egotistical so called Master their ego will be easy to see. But beware, some of them can be very cunning as well, and will do most anything to make you believe theirs is the best system and they are the only ones who have such a high rank or status in the arts.
It is sad for me to say this, as most all the people I know in the Martial Arts are really wonderful people who have shed their ego and have come to realize their own shortcomings and are always at work to make themselves better yet and do all they can to help those who seek true martial arts training.
Just like any other profession there will always be the bad apple in the group, just because someone claims to be this or that does not make them good people. So when thinking of joining a school ask to see the head Master, if he/she makes you feel welcome and has what appears to be a gentle and kind personality then chances are they are just fine and you can learn from them very well. But if that person seems gruff and mean or boasting about his title or skills and putting down others Masters or schools you should head for the door and find another school.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Yes, we are Dinosaurs, and we are Proud of It!
The commercial Martial Arts associations call us Dinosaurs, and we do love it, that's just what we want to be, the Old School. They say we should wake up and treat our schools a business and back away from the old way of doing things. But the truth of the matter is we are not a Business we are a Family of devotees that love the old ways of teaching and dealing with all aspects of our ancient arts.
Commercial schools would have you believe their way is best to earn tons of money and hundreds of students. But a Traditional School does not think that way. Money has never been our goal in teaching but rather finding people who have a love for this art and its old ways of doing things, which in my opinion has a quality about it that commercial schools have lost along the way. They tell you we have our head buried in the sand of time and refuse to change with the times. And I agree with that and love it. Traditional Martial Artists are not interested in the number of students as much as they are interested in the quality of students, not how much they can gain from ripping people off for every little thing the offer.
Now commercial schools have many big name Martial artists behind them, and to this I say they Sold Out the Old Ways, and more then likely it was for some monetary gain. I would rather close my schools then ripe people off. I love teaching, so I can help people find their way through the hard road we call life. Money was never a motive for my Master nor is it for me.
ACCS is a unique school that focuses on quality of teaching and helping people even those with little or no money. You can not buy anything from us you don’t earn, that means rank. Where as in many commercial schools if you got the money you will get the Black Belt after they take you for all they can. In traditional schools we don’t even charge for promotions that you earn, but you wont get it if you don’t meet the standards no matter how much money you offer.
Commercial associations contact me almost on a daily basis trying to get me to join in their associations telling me how much money I can make if I follow their prescribed way of doing business. My answer is always the same NO Thanks! I would rather close my schools then submit to ripping people off for every penny I can get from them or having collection agencies going after delinquent students. In a Traditional School this never happens. If you don’t pay we try to help you and work with your finances so you can continue in your training without worry. It is always The Students Word of Honor and Our word of Honor that is the basis of the relationship between the student and the Master.
As I have always told my up and coming Black Belts, which we call Laoshr Levels in Kung Fu, " If you want to be rich then don’t become a Teacher of this Art." Money is never the objective rather, it is a means to preserve what we hold near and dear to our heart, namely passing the arts and all its traditions on to the next generation of people. It has survived that way for thousands of years and I am not about to change what I have been taught from my Masters. I can sleep at night knowing I have never cheated anyone out of money, but rather have given them the gift of our art to help them in develop the Mind Body and spirit development.
Yes, I am a dinosaur, and I love it and those that train in a traditional schools will say the same. There is a love there between the Master and his students that money can not buy. There is a respect there for what our Masters taught for generations and remains the same to this day. We are not progressive, we are constant in our approach to teaching and spreading the Real Meanings of this art and one of them is not ripping people off.
Commercial schools would have you believe their way is best to earn tons of money and hundreds of students. But a Traditional School does not think that way. Money has never been our goal in teaching but rather finding people who have a love for this art and its old ways of doing things, which in my opinion has a quality about it that commercial schools have lost along the way. They tell you we have our head buried in the sand of time and refuse to change with the times. And I agree with that and love it. Traditional Martial Artists are not interested in the number of students as much as they are interested in the quality of students, not how much they can gain from ripping people off for every little thing the offer.
Now commercial schools have many big name Martial artists behind them, and to this I say they Sold Out the Old Ways, and more then likely it was for some monetary gain. I would rather close my schools then ripe people off. I love teaching, so I can help people find their way through the hard road we call life. Money was never a motive for my Master nor is it for me.
ACCS is a unique school that focuses on quality of teaching and helping people even those with little or no money. You can not buy anything from us you don’t earn, that means rank. Where as in many commercial schools if you got the money you will get the Black Belt after they take you for all they can. In traditional schools we don’t even charge for promotions that you earn, but you wont get it if you don’t meet the standards no matter how much money you offer.
Commercial associations contact me almost on a daily basis trying to get me to join in their associations telling me how much money I can make if I follow their prescribed way of doing business. My answer is always the same NO Thanks! I would rather close my schools then submit to ripping people off for every penny I can get from them or having collection agencies going after delinquent students. In a Traditional School this never happens. If you don’t pay we try to help you and work with your finances so you can continue in your training without worry. It is always The Students Word of Honor and Our word of Honor that is the basis of the relationship between the student and the Master.
As I have always told my up and coming Black Belts, which we call Laoshr Levels in Kung Fu, " If you want to be rich then don’t become a Teacher of this Art." Money is never the objective rather, it is a means to preserve what we hold near and dear to our heart, namely passing the arts and all its traditions on to the next generation of people. It has survived that way for thousands of years and I am not about to change what I have been taught from my Masters. I can sleep at night knowing I have never cheated anyone out of money, but rather have given them the gift of our art to help them in develop the Mind Body and spirit development.
Yes, I am a dinosaur, and I love it and those that train in a traditional schools will say the same. There is a love there between the Master and his students that money can not buy. There is a respect there for what our Masters taught for generations and remains the same to this day. We are not progressive, we are constant in our approach to teaching and spreading the Real Meanings of this art and one of them is not ripping people off.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Can Martial Arts Books Teach You?
I can say the answer right off with ..NO! books can not teach you how to do a Martial Art. Books don’t teach only human can do that. But books can help you in many ways to better understand the vast world of Martial Arts. Bruce Lee had an extensive library, and I also have a hugh library I have collected over the years, but I can say it was my Teachers who showed me the moves and corrected my errors, not the books.
If you are now training with a Teacher then books can be useful to read and better understand history, or theories of movement. I wont say that books are useless because they are not, they can be great help to better understanding of styles and systems. It like when you go to high school, you have to buy the books, but it is the Teacher not the books that grades you and corrections you misunderstandings.
However, having said all that, there are some wonderful martial arts books out there that have be written that can very enlightening while in training with a legitimate school of learning. Some of these books titles I will mention in future writings for those who may be interested in which books are well worth reading. Some books are pure garbage and a waste of your money to buy, believe me own a few of those myself, these books served me well in starting a cozy fire in my fireplace on cold nights.
I am often asked, What if there is no schools near me then what?, can books be of help? I still hold to my comment, not really. Books can not correct you and to learn Kung Fu skills you need the presence of a Teacher to correct the many error new practitioners have in starting out. I have always told my students, If your Kung Fu is Bad, don’t use it, it would be better to fight the way you always fought, because bad kung fu will not work against a polished street fighter.
I love books so please don’t get me wrong, I am an avid reader and much of what I have read has illuminated my thinking in many ways. But this does not have anything to do with actual fighting skills which I learned under the eye of my Masters criticism and corrections.
I always tell me students to study which means reading, because knowledge is good and can certainly help in better understanding of complicated theories and or Kung Fu history which can become clouded at times. Books do have a place in the Arts but not for teaching a beginner basics, Absolutely nothing replaces a Teacher standing there looking at your moves and making the adjustments to your errors. Books will never correct your mistakes, and it is these mistakes that will cause you to lose in an encounter.
If there is no school near you may have to travel as I did over my years of training. I went as far as China and Taiwan to find the best Teachers of the day. Oh by the way, my last Master Chang Tung Sheng had little or no library to speak of. He was not a book man, as most great masters are not, they learned the old fashion way, Hard work, sweat and injuries under the eye of their Masters.
Some will argue books can teach you, well maybe some things for sure, but the arts requires a certain type of movement that can only be taught by hands on experience under the eye of your Teacher. So if you serious about learning the true Art don’t expect him/her to come to you, you must seek out the Master if you really wish to learn...... then read all you want..........
If you are now training with a Teacher then books can be useful to read and better understand history, or theories of movement. I wont say that books are useless because they are not, they can be great help to better understanding of styles and systems. It like when you go to high school, you have to buy the books, but it is the Teacher not the books that grades you and corrections you misunderstandings.
However, having said all that, there are some wonderful martial arts books out there that have be written that can very enlightening while in training with a legitimate school of learning. Some of these books titles I will mention in future writings for those who may be interested in which books are well worth reading. Some books are pure garbage and a waste of your money to buy, believe me own a few of those myself, these books served me well in starting a cozy fire in my fireplace on cold nights.
I am often asked, What if there is no schools near me then what?, can books be of help? I still hold to my comment, not really. Books can not correct you and to learn Kung Fu skills you need the presence of a Teacher to correct the many error new practitioners have in starting out. I have always told my students, If your Kung Fu is Bad, don’t use it, it would be better to fight the way you always fought, because bad kung fu will not work against a polished street fighter.
I love books so please don’t get me wrong, I am an avid reader and much of what I have read has illuminated my thinking in many ways. But this does not have anything to do with actual fighting skills which I learned under the eye of my Masters criticism and corrections.
I always tell me students to study which means reading, because knowledge is good and can certainly help in better understanding of complicated theories and or Kung Fu history which can become clouded at times. Books do have a place in the Arts but not for teaching a beginner basics, Absolutely nothing replaces a Teacher standing there looking at your moves and making the adjustments to your errors. Books will never correct your mistakes, and it is these mistakes that will cause you to lose in an encounter.
If there is no school near you may have to travel as I did over my years of training. I went as far as China and Taiwan to find the best Teachers of the day. Oh by the way, my last Master Chang Tung Sheng had little or no library to speak of. He was not a book man, as most great masters are not, they learned the old fashion way, Hard work, sweat and injuries under the eye of their Masters.
Some will argue books can teach you, well maybe some things for sure, but the arts requires a certain type of movement that can only be taught by hands on experience under the eye of your Teacher. So if you serious about learning the true Art don’t expect him/her to come to you, you must seek out the Master if you really wish to learn...... then read all you want..........
Monday, July 20, 2009
People Just Don't Know the Truth
I don’t like to mention names, so I wont. I could easily point to names of so called Masters who are nothing but failed students who wish to make a name and money for themselves. I have had many so called instructors come to my school asking for instruction which is not unusual, having taught Teacher levels before, so this was not unusual, but when I saw the skill level of these so called instructors I thought my eyes failed me.
The basics of our Art were almost totally absent, and after asking them to take a simple stance I proved it to them by dropping them in their tracks. The very core of our teachings was absent, yet they were out there somewhere teaching unsuspecting students who would not know one stance from other unless taught properly. It is sad to think how our Art could be so badly represented, yet it is, and the newly inducted into the Arts suffer the loss of learning the true skills that comes with years of practice under the eye of a qualified Master.
I often tell beginners, you can learn the Art, even a child of two can learn this Art, WITH 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. True skills are not instantaneous, it is knowledge gained and nurtured with years of experience, making the moves true to form. But if you really love what you doing then you don’t worry about how much time anything with take, you simply enjoy the journey, loving each passing year.
I started this Blog to get the attention of the public, for as a devoted follow of the Arts, my only wish is to see our Art spread to the public in its true form. Let the public beware and choose carefully if you really wish to learn the Arts as they were intended to be learned.
Check out the school thoroughly and ask for references and their lineage. Then make the effort to check it out what you find. If they are good you will find out and if bad you will find that out to.
If you find the right Master, they can change your life for the better, if you find the wrong teacher you gain little in the way of true skills, but for sure you will lose money and your precious time......
As they say, a True Master is like a candle, he exhausts himself in shedding the light of knowledge...
The basics of our Art were almost totally absent, and after asking them to take a simple stance I proved it to them by dropping them in their tracks. The very core of our teachings was absent, yet they were out there somewhere teaching unsuspecting students who would not know one stance from other unless taught properly. It is sad to think how our Art could be so badly represented, yet it is, and the newly inducted into the Arts suffer the loss of learning the true skills that comes with years of practice under the eye of a qualified Master.
I often tell beginners, you can learn the Art, even a child of two can learn this Art, WITH 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. True skills are not instantaneous, it is knowledge gained and nurtured with years of experience, making the moves true to form. But if you really love what you doing then you don’t worry about how much time anything with take, you simply enjoy the journey, loving each passing year.
I started this Blog to get the attention of the public, for as a devoted follow of the Arts, my only wish is to see our Art spread to the public in its true form. Let the public beware and choose carefully if you really wish to learn the Arts as they were intended to be learned.
Check out the school thoroughly and ask for references and their lineage. Then make the effort to check it out what you find. If they are good you will find out and if bad you will find that out to.
If you find the right Master, they can change your life for the better, if you find the wrong teacher you gain little in the way of true skills, but for sure you will lose money and your precious time......
As they say, a True Master is like a candle, he exhausts himself in shedding the light of knowledge...
Low Level Instructors
With the advent of Kung Fu in American along with that came many low level teachers. Some are becoming so called Black Belts in four to five years. If you got enough money just about anyone can now attain rank and call themselves Teachers. But the truth of the matter is it takes many years before one can call them self a Teacher. Reaching a Black Belt level is really just the start, not the finish of learning. In traditional schools it can take up to Ten Years before one is called a Teacher and even then they are not fully qualified in there teaching methods. In traditional schools a Teacher is made after many years and even then they stay with their Master until he or she feels they are ready to take on students of their own. Only after the Master sees just how they are teaching and passing on the Arts will they truly be acknowledged as qualified Teachers. If a person tells you they are a Teacher, always ask how many years have they been teaching and how long it took them to archive the level of Teacher, look for long periods of time, a few years just don’t make it in the Arts. Teaching is so much more then just showing moves, anyone can do that. Never settle for some young kid in the Arts, look for the Teacher who has years behind him or her and can be verified with their Master.
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