The Martial Musings of an Artist of Life

Some Random Thoughts on a Rainy Wednesday

2011-12-07T13:50:00.000-05:00

Alignment. Authenticity. Transparency. Vitality. Today these qualities seek their full expression through me. May I find the way.

I desire to live a well-lived life in which my thoughts, words, and actions are all in accord, and in line with my highest personal values and my true, ever-wise, "best self."

I endeavor to live a life of profound integrity — a life that is free of any pretense or artifice, in which there is no need to hide or shelter or differentiate my "private self" from my "public self." What I appear to be, I am. And if I cannot be totally "ego-free," then let me strive to at least become less "ego-centric."

Above all, I seek a certain something. A vibrancy. An "aliveness" to help me to learn, to love, to grow, to share — always.

I want to live and savor my life to the fullest, and to continually express myself vigorously, creatively, and passionately — with grace, dignity, and perhaps a bit of style.

I know for sure that I have all the tools that I need for this journey. I need only to apply them.

Still a Beginner: Thougths on "Shu-Ha-Ri" and needing a Guru

2011-10-11T15:09:00.002-05:00

I wrote an earlier, draft version of this post as a response to Grace Gravelle's insightful blog entry, "One Guru." Grace is a talented instructor, and she currently leads yoga classes at my dojo on Tuesday and Sunday evenings. You can check out lots of her writing on her website, Front Porch Yoga.

Many martial artists dedicate themselves to one teacher, or sensei. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. In my case, there are many fine instructors out there whom I would call "sensei" out of respect for their knowledge and expertise, but there are only two people, Sensei Dennis Mann and Sensei Brian Ricci whom I would call "my Sensei."

Sensei Mann and Sensei Ricci are great martial artists. I've spent DECADES learning from each of them. The style of karate that I've learned from them has a particular name, a specific lineage. That's important to me, and I do my best to "keep the faith" when I teach. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to pass on the art just as it was given to me. But there's a big martial arts world out there, full of many, many things that I do not know. There's so much I'd still like to learn. I am, to be sure, a beginner — a mere babe in the woods.

And for me, no post on the subject of the people whom I consider to be my teachers, sensei, or gurus would be complete without mentioning Coach Tom Callos, creator of the Ultimate Black Belt Test. Now I've known Coach Tom for years now. He's part guru, part life coach, and a very dedicated martial artist of no small skill or reputation. Tom is my teacher, "my other sensei," but he's never corrected my posture, taught me a kata, or told me to blade my foot more when I throw my side kick. In the interest of full disclosure I must state here that I've never even met him in person. But we have a vibrant virtual relationship through phone calls, emails, Skype conversations, and blog posts. He's helped me bring meaning and clarity to how I practice and teach the martial arts in ways that no one else has.

I know that cannot learn "everything" (related to the martial arts and otherwise) from either of my sensei. Or my "other" sensei. They are great role models in a number of ways, father figures even. But they're not enlightened spiritual beings. (At least I don't think they are.) They are people. With flaws, just like me.

So in a way, I guess I consider everyone to be my teacher. Everyone has something to teach me. Especially those folks outside of the world of the martial arts who we might call our "Living Heroes". In the martial arts and out, I am an Artist of Life.

In the martial arts, I believe that a student should follow a teacher only as long as it serves that person's growth and development. I try to be a good sensei and role model for all of my students, but it's not my place to guide and advise them in the non-martial areas of their lives. Inside the dojo, in the world of blocks and kicks and punches, in the world of conflict, tactics and strategy — well, I tend to know a whole lot more than my students do. That's to be expected — after all, I've been at this game a long time. And I expect my students to do their utmost to absorb and precisely replicate the things that I have to teach them on the mat.

But spiritually and morally? Well, I've got room for improvement, too. The best I can do is try to lead by example; my students can/will choose to follow the path that I walk only if they find value there. And if they don't? Well, that's okay, too. I don't want to change anyone. I simply want to help people become a more genuine, authentic, present, confident version of themselves. And hey, I stumble a lot on my path. Aren't we all walking in the dark?

In the Japanese martial traditions, there's a concept called shu-ha-ri that tries to explain the phases of learning: First, the student tries to copy and emulate exactly what they're being taught. Then they try to master it, to make the teachings theirs. And finally, they must transcend the teaching and forge their own path. They must actively create, but this cannot happen without a solid foundation somewhere. So while I still call Sensei Mann and Sensei Ricci "my Sensei," there's not too much more at this point that I'm actually going to learn from them other than external forms... Have I learned my lessons well? Perhaps. There's still a lot that they've taught me that I've yet to master. And by now, they don't really need to correct me anymore. (Honestly, they're probably tired of repeating themselves when I continue to make mistakes.)

I know exactly what I need to work on to improve and grow. From here on out, I'm more or less on my own. (But I'm not "alone." My Sensei are still my wise councilors and advisors.) The work ahead is mine to do. Part of that journey, I suppose, will be to find another sensei (or two, or three) — people who can guide me along the trails I've yet to walk on. But I must also turn within, and find more lessons there:

More and more these days, I surprise myself on the mat while I'm teaching. I find "cool stuff" in what I already know that I never knew was there, stuff that no sensei has shown me, but has always been there, awaiting discovery. There are variations, subtleties, and small shifts that produce different (and sometimes surprising) results. My "fighting" is becoming creative play. (It must drive my students crazy when I digress...)

But I'm still a beginner, to be sure.

The World Needs More Warriors

2011-07-22T12:39:00.001-05:00

I wrote this essay today as a submission for "This I Believe."

Humankind's history is replete with warfare and violence not because (as some would say) engaging in warfare is part of our genetic hard wiring, but because going to war is easier than maintaining or creating peace. Hitting, hurting, raping, and killing is far easier, I believe, than developing compassionate understanding and true self-knowledge.

Our education systems have failed us in that they have taught us to value peace, but they have not really taught us how to be peaceful. Peace is hard work! Therefore, we need to study nonviolent communication and anger management. We need to develop our capacity for empathy and our ability — and our willingness! — to resolve conflicts through respectful dialogue and intelligent negotiation.

We are as much a part of nature as the trees, the sky, and the ocean. We are one with the unfathomable and miraculous matrix of life. We should consciously reconnect ourselves to sunrises and sunsets, to the stars in the sky, to the animals in our oceans and forests, and to the plants that spring from the soil.

As Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "we are not organisms in an environment; we are 'environorganisms.'" It is imperative that we become active stewards of the environment who are cognizant of how our actions affect the whole. For if we do not take care of Mother Nature, she will surely "take care" of us.

So long as I'm alive, I'll have to do my living in the body I was born with. So, if I'm going to enjoy the ride we call LIFE, it's my duty to take care of the vehicle. That means a healthy diet, plenty of physical exercise, daily meditation and contemplation, continuous learning, and constant cultivation of positive relationships and attitudes.

We are here to maximize our potential, and as our potential grows, we must put our talents to use to benefit others through community service and acts of kindness. We belong to one another. I envision the day when everyone looks beyond their own family, ethnicity, neighborhood, and nationality to see that we are all fundamentally and inseparably connected.

We do not need more warfare, but we do need more warriors. Cultures around the world and throughout history hold warriors — those who will stand up and fight for what's right, precious, and worthwhile — in the highest esteem. Warriors are responsible leaders who embody compassion, integrity, discipline, courage, and honor. Warriors are predisposed to take difficult action, to sacrifice, to serve.

But there really are no enemies "out there." This means we can all benefit from cultivating and living a warrior's life beyond all fighting, beyond all warfare. Confidence, character, and a passionate devotion to others are the best and highest forms of "self-defense."

My path to self-mastery involves engaging in peace education, environmentalism, healthy living, and community activism. I'm pursuing the most worthy and authentic kind of "warriorship" I know so that my life may someday become an inspiration for others to go beyond all self-perceived and externally imposed limitations.

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This blog is part of the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program, which is an undertaking of The 100., and a part of Emerald Necklace Martial Arts in Boston, MA.

Self-Defense Lessons at the Intersection of Mindfulness and Salad

2011-07-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

A brief word of warning: The content of this blog entry represents a special kind of realization for me. For just the other night, the actual culmination of my decades of martial arts training came down to a few simple moments in the kitchen with my daughter — when a number of "radical" approaches to "self-defense" suddenly united in harmony.

You see, for a few years now, I've been writing about how self-defense is more than physical — more than blocking and punching and repeating forms on the training deck. Now, all of that is important, of course. I still do a lot of punching and kicking every week. But I've said a number of times and in a thousand different ways now, that the aspects of meaningful self defense also necessarily include the quality of our diet and our relationships, our level of mindfulness, and our ability to create spontaneously and joyfully in response to our environment.

So what happened in the kitchen? Well, the other night, my warrior's response to the age old question "What's for dinner?" Came down to this: Make salad. Consciously. With whatever materials are at hand. Do it with maximum creativity and fun, and use it as an opportunity to TEACH.

So with no real plans for what I would be making for a meal, I rummaged through the fridge and pulled out everything I could find that was edible, live, and colorful. I spread the materials (a yellow pepper, blueberries, strawberries, an apple, grapes, and salad greens) — along with some almonds and some cold leftover rotisserie chicken — out on the counter, and I asked my daughter Ava to help me prepare a meal. Not really knowing what to expect or what exactly was about to happen, I grabbed my camera:

In about ten wonderful minutes, I taught my daughter a quick lesson on healthy eating. I also taught her — she's not quite five years old, mind you — how to safely handle a 10-inch kitchen knife. (This, required a lot of patience, and a great deal of trust!)

We playfully chatted about the different colors and textures and origins of all the foods on the counter, sampling and savoring each individual ingredient before tastefully arranging it on the plate. In the end, we ate good, healthy food. We spent quality time together, working as a team. We both learned a few things. We had fun. We created ART.

Which one of us was the student that night? Who was the teacher? Somehow our usual roles got reversed. My opportunity to teach turned out to be an opportunity to LEARN. In the end, I think I learned more in 10 minutes about life, love, and being in the moment than I have in a long, long time. And now, I'm looking forward to my next lesson. And the one after that. (And the one after that...)

And someday, maybe I'll teach Ava how to punch and kick!

Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
http://www.karateinboston.com/

Everything Counts!

2011-06-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

"How you do anything is how you'll do everything." I heard or read this phrase in the last 24 hours or so, and it has really stuck with me. (Perhaps all the reading on mindfulness is sinking in!) I wish I could remember the source of this quote, so I could give proper credit and attribution where it's due. Ah, well. My sincere apologies to the originator, whoever and wherever you are.

This phrase teaches me an important lesson: that whatever level of attention, energy, presence, and mindfulness I bring to one activity will tend to be reflected in the other aspects of my life. Watch how I brush my teeth, tie my shoes, or perform a kata, and you're likely to see similarities in how I sign my name on a check, drive my car, or talk with and listen to my wife and kids.

Everything counts. If my life is my dojo, then I'm always in training. Therefore, virtually everything I do is practice. All I need to do is add awareness. So instead of driving my car mindlessly during my commute, perhaps I should attempt to practice driving. Instead of shaving as part of my morning routine, perhaps I could practice shaving as an extension of my life's ART.

The path toward mastery and greater awareness is always right now, and right here, beneath our feet.

Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
http://www.karateinboston.com/

Attrition, Retention, and All the While, the World Goes Round and Round

2011-06-27T15:58:00.001-05:00

The above photo was taken at my dojo about two years ago, following a special "all-ranks" workout. Not all dojo members were present for the event, of course, but those who were there represented a pretty good cross-section of our diverse dojo's adult membership: men, women, younger, older, black, white, and everywhere in between. I'm lucky and proud to have such a wonderful rainbow of people on the dojo floor.

Twenty-four people were present for training that day, including me. Nearly two years later, only eleven of those pictured are still actively training and fully participating dojo members. Many who were not pictured above were dojo members back when the photo was taken, and they are still training at the dojo today. Others are training today who were not members of the dojo back when the the photo was taken. And still there is another set of people: those who joined the dojo and stopped their training in the two years between when the photo was taken and today.

People start training in the martial arts for a thousand different reasons. Folks enter a dojo because they want confidence, increased fitness, self-defense skills, a sense of community, something new and fun and interesting to do — the list goes on and on. Many people stop training, I suppose, for just as many reasons: they get bored, they change or lose a job, they fall in love, they move, they get pregnant, priorities and interests change.

The bottom line is that at a dojo, people (many, many, many people, in fact) will come and go. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn and to accept, as I hope (sometimes I expect) that anyone who joins the dojo will be here for the long haul. It's an unrealistic, expectation, I know.

I look out across the dojo floor on any given training night, and I know that the chances are that some of the people there that night will, for one reason or another, eventually go their own way. I feel like a parent who dreads the looming day when their beloved child will move out and move on.

This is the way of our people.

I look back through photos like these from time to time, and there are many names that I'll never forget. Sadly, there are also names that I'll never remember. But every time a new student walks in the door and steps onto the floor for his or her first class — looking awkward in their bright and shiny gi fresh from the package — the cycle starts anew, and I am renewed and refreshed and blessed by the opportunity to do what I love to do.

An Update on Japan from My Man on the Ground (With Info on How YOU Can Help)

2011-03-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends. My good friend and karate student, Greg Mudarri, is currently living, working, and training in Japan. This entry is a repost of Greg's latest email update, from Tokyo, in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. Lots of great information here — and local perspective, too...

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Dearest friends, family, and others who I have come to know (but may not have met directly);

Greg Mudarri in Japan here (yes, still in Japan-- patience: we'll get to that).
Most of you probably already knew I was in Japan, and amongst those people a good number of you may have been concerned about me after the recent massive earthquake here. Others perhaps not, and in that case I commend you. You shouldn't be concerned about me. Not in the slightest. You should be concerned about the people who were involved directly in the disaster who are missing homes, loved ones, or are still missing themselves.

Sorry for the mass e-mail, but it's absolutely necessary at this point so I don't have repeat myself countless times. This e-mail will serve as an update of sorts on the situation in Japan, but most of all I hope it is something you will find informative. And that's really the purpose of this-- no need to reply at all!

I will try to break this down into a few sections: My Experience, My Decision not to flee, and My Hopes of how we can all help in this tragedy. (You may be selective about your reading if you're pressed for time or have limited interest)

My Experience
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If you haven't figured it out already I am safe. I am in the Tokyo area. Obviously this situation was a first for me coming from earthquake-less Boston, but as it turns out it was also a first for almost all people here in this country often stricken by quakes as well. I'm talking about the magnitude-- this was the largest earthquake in recorded Japanese history, and the 5th largest quake in recorded history in general. Yes, that is pretty serious. What are the chances I would be here when this happened?? Well, apparently they were pretty good because for the past few years I've heard just about all Japanese telling they were due for a massive one anytime now, as it seems to happen about every 100 years, and they were "overdue" for one as the last one had been more than 100 years ago. The Kobe quake of 1995 was also massive, but still doesn't compare to this one. And it seems they may not be over yet, because when a lot of people talk about "the big one" they actually mean for the Tokyo area. So you could argue that I knew what I was getting into coming at this time... but there are always risks no matter what you do. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to cross the street ever again. Japan is probably the safest country that exists in terms of people. There is virtually no crime here outside the Yakuza, and the only drugs that exist here are brought by the ugly foreign population (it's sad but true). But this massive disaster, the likes of which no one could have ever fully predicted or imagined, serves as a reminder to us all that no place is really safe, as we humans are small and fragile, and this earth can swallow us up whole like insignificant crumbs.

I was in my fourth floor office in Tokyo when the 9 magnitude earthquake struck. One of 5 people in the office, I actually left the room to go to the bathroom t the time. As I stood at the sink, I noticed the sliding door next me started shaking ever so gently... "Is someone there?" ... "Just a moment..." .... for a moment I thought perhaps someone was playing a joke on me or something. This very slight shaking continued for at least 30 seconds or so before all of the sudden things started shaking abruptly and violently-- I opened the door and crouched under its frame, holding on, wondering when what I now realized was the biggest earthquake I had ever felt would end-- it seemed to last for minutes... I could hear my other coworkers in the other room shouting as things started falling off shelves all around them. In the bathroom the soap fell into the sink and that was it, but when I went into the room after it had ended I saw a scene of utter disaster. But every structure of our new building was intact, and though faces were wide eyed, everyone was safe. Immediately they all remarked that it was the biggest earthquake they had have ever felt in their lives (and all of my coworkers are Japanese, by the way)... we decided to contact everyone ASAP-- we knew it would be huge news so I prematurely sent emails to my immediate family and an e-mail list my friends are on.

But we didn't realize the worst was yet to come-- the tsunami, which took most of the lives in this tragedy, over 9,000 confirmed at the time of this writing with about 13,000 still missing, and the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, which has us in Japan outside the disaster areas as well as the rest of world significantly worried. Before running away like most foreigners did, I have been keeping my eyes on that situation, which I will present below...

And of course there are the aftershocks. Somehow I've gotten quite used to them. There was just a 5.9 in Ibaraki as I was writing this. The severity of the other issues has continued to such a degree none of these large aftershocks-- hundreds-- have been had much attention paid to them. Here is a website showing all the earthquakes we've had in just the last week: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/quake_local_index.html

Here is a more interesting perspective of that as well: a map showing all the quakes up until now since the big one and 3 leading up to it (683 at the time of this writing).
http://www.japanquakemap.com/

Notice when the big one hits at 14:46 on the 11th it's area covers the whole screen-- showing all who felt it. After that one hits you can just see the absolute barrage we've been getting-- it just doesn't let up. You can also speed up the timing on the right-- at the current speed it takes about 10 minutes to see all the earthquakes. Anyway, if the circle overlaps Tokyo, that means I probably felt that one.

The aftershocks have calmed down to an extent to being one or two noticeable ones a day rather than one or two noticeable ones an hour, as it had been the last week. Also food was pretty scarce for a while and cars are still lining up down the street for gas, not too mention the scheduled blackouts everyday for a few hours to save power. I'm not going to elaborate on these issues because they are just minor inconveniences knowing what people are going through up north. I'd willingly give up food and electricity for a week if would help those people in any way. Really not a big deal.

My Decision not to flee AKA the only radiation to worry about (outside Fukushima) is in the minds of the media
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If you haven't figured it out already I am not leaving Japan. Like I said lack of food and electricity here from time to time is a non-issue at a time like this. So the only real concern is radiation, but in Tokyo the difference in radiation levels is negligible. Before joining the exodus of foreigners, I decided to learn about radiation and how the situation at Fukushima could affect us here in greater Tokyo. I am pleased to offer you the news that even in the worst case scenario (meltdown, etc.) we would be virtually unaffected in regards to our health. So stop listening to the chaos your media sources prefer to focus on for ratings and rejoice: you can finally look at the bright side! Isn't that what we should be doing after this disaster? Is panicking daily and feeling sick our stomachs from sadness going to help us prevail, as we must ultimately do?

So without further ado I will present you with countless links and facts about the radiation in the Tokyo area, so you can stop worrying and let us get on with rebuilding this nation. If all the foreigners did a little research before running home to their mommies they might actually be able to help. My mommie wanted me to come too but it just seems like taking the easy way out (sorry Mom). Each plane ticket home costs about a grand-- now imagine the millions of dollars that was just spent on airfare going to help the crisis of northern Japan-- That's almost the saddest part of all this. Before I spend a single yen on a plane ticket to leave this slightly inconvenienced area, I would first contribute that same amount to aid for this disaster. The plane ride home will expose one to more radiation than staying in Tokyo would. Some people just need to get real. OK, sorry-- I don't mean to downplay this whole thing, it IS scary, but let's get the facts first.

Now I'm not scientist, but this guy is: http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=566914282
Summary: UK Chief Scientifc Advisor John Beddington speaks to the British Embassy in Tokyo, letting us all know that the radiation effects will not be harmful to Tokyo, even in the worst case scenario.

Still if you want hear more people smarter than you talk about the situation at Fukushima, you can listen to an hour plus conference and Q & A about it held at MIT involving some top nuclear researchers and professors here: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/nuclear-panel-japan-0136.html (scroll down to find the video)
They mostly address what exactly.supposedly happened at Fukushima and diagnose the situation and it's severity. Of course, it is on the scientific side. One contributor is a woman participating by way of phone who is a specialist on the health effects of radiation. About a little before half way through she mentions that though some levels of radiation have risen in Tokyo even, they are still not harmful by any means. She gives some statistic that even if the levels raise 40 times their regular state, one would have to be exposed to it for days on end to even equal a simple chest x-ray. So there is virtually no worry. Sorry, I don't know exactly when this sort of thing is mentioned, I just watched the whole thing, as it is quite interesting.

Or, you can read what these MIT smarties are writing about nearly daily here: http://mitnse.com/
For example, on March 20th you can read some updates on the situation at Fukushima, showing what are mostly positive signs for the resolution of this disaster. It will still take time but things are getting better, not worse.

It the radiation still worries you, the Metropolis (Japan's No1 English Magazine... yada yada) is providing daily levels in the Tokyo area:
http://metropolis.co.jp/quake/quake-2011-03/tokyo-atmospheric-radiation-levels/
(At the bottom it explains the units and what levels are deadly etc.)

You can see the fellow taking the readings and explaining how safe it is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rp2nqBt04A&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y9IYQzsyC4&feature=related

And finally for links to all sorts of English updates and information on the situation in Japan, go the Metropolis home page here: http://metropolis.co.jp/

Probably the best source for continuing coverage on this situation is Japan's news source, NHK, in English: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/22_02.html
Here they just tell it like it is-- none of the hype you're all getting fed over seas. Yes high levels of radiation have been found in the water at Fukushima. Yes it is 3 times the safety limit. Yes they found traces of radiation in milk and spinach there. No it is not necessarily harmful, but yes they recommend it not be consumed, especially for children. Yes the radiation could be harmful to anyone in the 30km radius, but no it is still not in Tokyo. Yes rain may have even put iodine in Tokyo water, but no, the levels are still not harmful. Like I said, they tell it like it is. Thanks NHK!

More research can be done here from more other smart people at UC Santa Barbara: http://online.itp.ucsb.edu/online/plecture/bmonreal11/
and more valuable and genuine updates are here: http://www.who.int/hac/crises/jpn/en/index.html (thanks to Daigo for these)

Again I'm not a scientist or nuclear specialist by any means, but after the research I have done I think I'm probably more qualified to deliver the news than the western media has been as of late. I actually heard that there were even some accounts of the Daibutsu (great Buddha statue) of Kamakura glowing from radiation. How preposterous!! Here is an article by a fellow in Japan after hearing about this fabrication, you might want to read here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-im-not-fleeing-japan/2011/03/16/ABQsdhk_story.html

Another foreigner in Japan is also writing about the scene in Tokyo daily here: http://www.gally.net/updates/index.html
(You can also click on the "Radiation" link on the left for more info on that stuff if you're not sick of the reassurance already)

OK, heard (read) enough? Good, because I'm pretty sick of typing. But the most important part is next-- how you can help!! So put your eyeballs back in your sockets for a few more moments.

My Hopes of how we can all help in this tragedy
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If you haven't figured it out already, we're talking donation here. What did you expect?? Now open your wallets! It's a lot easier than digging through mass amounts of debris and devastation.

People have been asking me for names of charities and such to donate to and I hate to say it, but this information seems to not have been the top priority as of late. But because it's SO important I looked into all my sources and I'm ready to throw more links at you. Let your heart do the rest.

The first obvious source is the Japanese Red Cross. Donation info: http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

After that, I'd like to mention some sources from my home of Boston.
The Japan Society of Boston provides a great list (not necessarily Boston exclusive) of how help here: http://www.japansocietyboston.org/donatejapan
It includes a few options to easily donate $10 via text message, so I encourage everyone to do this who is capable.

Another MIT source is here: http://phi-delts.mit.edu/japan-relief.html#Disaster
You can donate here by Paypal-- the funds raised also go to the Japanese Red Cross.

If you are actually in the Boston area, you can attend an event "One Heart" at Showa Boston on Sunday March 27, 2-4pm, which will be in 2 parts: Supporting the Victims (appropriate for all ages) and Remembering the Victims (more appropriate for adults). Here you can donate money in person to the Japan Disaster Relief fund. If you are in the Boston area and interested, please e-mail me directly and I can forward you the details.

Outside of Boston, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Norther California has established and easy way to click and donate to the Japan Disaster Relief fund, which can be found on their website: http://www.jcccnc.org/

Now for more international charities: your donation is just a click away!

Relief International: https://www.ri.org/donate/donate.php (click the red "donate now" button)

Google's simple donation system: http://www.google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html (choose the one you'd like to donate, enter an amount in yen and click the blue "Donate" button)

Unfortunately I am not familiar with all the charities listed, but you can research them here: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1221 (Charity Navigator - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: How To Help)

So what exactly am I hoping? Well, as Japan changed my life and made me who I am, I am hoping to give back. I am hoping for my loved ones to help. I am hoping Japan will be rejuvenated in the coming spring. I am positively looking for Japan to rise up stronger out these ashes like a phoenix, or more eloquently put, perhaps, I am anxiously awaiting for the land of the rising sun to rise up higher and brighter along with its cherry blossoms are encouragingly blooming cherry blossoms. Let's all do our part to help this happen.

I guess that's it for me, for now. I hope whatever you chose to read was at least somewhat informative.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone that would be interested or I should have sent this to but didn't. In that case I hope those individuals accept my heartfelt apologies.

Good night! Tomorrow is a new day!

With hands clasped and chin high,

Greg Mudarri
Saitama, Japan 2011.Mar.23

Older and Wiser

2011-01-31T11:34:00.000-05:00

I take the Mass Turnpike to work almost every morning. Today, as I zipped along at about 70 mph in the 55 mph zone, another gentleman, in true "Masshole" fashion, decided to "urge" me to drive faster by pulling up close behind me and waving his arms excitedly. From my rearview, I could see the expression on his face (yeah, he was that close), so I could tell that he wasn't having a genuine emergency. He was angry, red in the face, and shouting some really obscene words. (No, I couldn't hear him, but I sure could read his lips!) I thought I was trucking along nicely, but hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion.

There was a bit of traffic, so it wasn't safe for me to immediately move over, but I knew that horn blowing and light flashing were only moments away. When the way was clear, I signalled and moved over to allow the other driver to pass. He pulled up alongside me and then slowed down long enough to drive his point home by screaming some more (I still couldn't hear him. I was listening to the radio). He finally punctuated his vitriol by flipping me the bird, and then he sped off.

My response? Well, I just smiled at him, waved hello, and sent him a silent blessing. Sir, I hope you get to wherever it is that you're going to safely. I surprised myself, actually, because I really meant it. I even felt a bit of compassion for him: Seriously. Who wants to get to work that badly?

I know that a mere decade ago, my response would have been radically different. (Ask me some time about the day that I intentionally rammed another car while going 75 mph on the very same road, fully prepared to die or kill in defense of being "right.") But today it seems that I've grown older and a little bit wiser. Those two kid's seats in the back — even empty ones — are a nice reminder to be civil and to focus on the important things in life.

Take it easy out there. Life moves fast enough.

Some (More) Thougths on Healthy Eating as Self-Defense

2010-12-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

As parents and educators, when we discuss children’s safety, health, and well-being in the context of ”self-defense,” we spend a lot of time emphasizing how children can use skills like environmental awareness, conscious body language and posture, and a strong voice. We teach kids how to be assertive, how to ask for help, and how to respond with appropriate action when their intuition alerts them to something that seems unusual, uncomfortable, or just plain out of place. Ultimately, we teach and empower children to take control by using physical resistance techniques whenever they are in immediate, physical danger.

We tend to worry about the stranger in the dark alley, the bully on the playground, and everything in between. The threats to children’s safety are real, and our fears for their well being are justified. But one of the most dangerous things a child may face every day is what shows up on their plate at every meal.

We’ve all heard that obesity among children is at an all-time high in our country, and we know that a lifetime of poor eating habits can have significant negative consequences in terms of a child’s long-term health. Increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other maladies can all be linked to poor eating habits, and recent statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services indicate that one out of three children who are born today will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Because of these immediate threats, and our ability to intervene before damage is done, I believe that it’s time for children’s safety and self-defense educators to add “dietary self-defense” to their safety and wellness curriculum.

But what is dietary self-defense? Like physical self-defense, dietary self-defense is all about awareness and choice. Most people — children and adults — do not eat in a way that promotes optimal health and well being, and many people may think their diet is healthy while they consume foods that are devoid of nutrition.

I suggest that we self-defense instructors take the necessary steps to educate ourselves so that we, in turn, can provide children with information about what they are eating and how it affects them. A logical step in this process, of course, is to model the behaviors that we would like children to adopt by becoming healthy eaters ourselves. We can provide better, more nutritious options at the breakfast/lunch/dinner table, and we can teach children how to make better decisions about their food choices when they are out on their own.

Ultimately self defense instructors could become nutrition education resources who are capable of answering “self defense” questions such as: What are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, and what role to they play in the body? How much sugar is too much? What are whole grain foods and why should I eat them? How do I read a food label? What is Type 2 diabetes? How do you get it? What are the risk factors and warning signs, and how can I prevent it?

Avoiding Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder that impacts how the body uses insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. People with diabetes may suffer a number of maladies, including blindness, hearing loss, and kidney disease, and they are at an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. There is no cure for Type 2 diabetes, but it is in many ways a “lifestyle disease” that is preventable in almost all cases. The best defenses against Type 2 diabetes are an active lifestyle and a healthy diet.

Simple Ways to Develop a Healthy-Eating Lifestyle:

Encourage children to create a “rainbow on their plate” by selecting foods of various colors.
Avoid fast food restaurants when dining out.
Avoid heavily processed foods at the grocery store. They’re usually found in the middle of the store, so so stick to the outside isles when shopping!
Teach kids to read labels: Avoid foods loaded with unsaturated fat, sugar, or high fructose corn syrup.
Reduce consumption of soda and sugary drinks. Drink more plain water and natural fruit juices.
Control the size of meal portions. Don’t eat more than you can hold in your cupped hands.
Slow down: Take the time to chew, taste, and ENJOY your food!
Don’t eat meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) anywhere but at a table. Don’t eat in the car, in front of T.V., etc.
Cook your own meals or help cook with your family
Reach for herbs and spices before reaching for salt and butter

The Christian Science Monitor and Its Relevance to the Subject of "Self-Defense"

2010-11-15T14:38:00.002-05:00

A Funny Thing Happend On My Way to Work Today

2010-09-17T15:58:00.000-05:00

A funny thing happened to me on the way to work this morning. On my usual driving route is a small coffee shop, where every now and then I stop for juice and a bagel before I hit the highway. This morning, I discovered that my usual parking space was gone. Well, it wasn't really gone, but it was overgrown: a fresh patch of green grass was in the spot that usually belongs to my Toyota!

A local group of community activists were celebrating "Parking Day." They had reclaimed my parking space and turned it into a public park by planting grass (and inviting people to sunbathe on it!), and making music in their new community space. This was no small accomplishment, and it was all legit. They had a permit and everything!

Now, these folks were not martial artists, but they certainly showed their warrior spirit and a penchant for taking action, their environmental awareness and compassion, and a willingness to engage the community about important issues.

And they were having FUN.

Now these people are Artists of Life!

An Open Letter to the Pitiable Soul Who Broke Into My Car Over the Weekend -- and Found Little to Nothing of "Value" to Steal

2010-08-02T10:38:00.004-05:00

Dear Sir or Madam,

I came outside early on Saturday morning to discover that overnight, you had let yourself into my vehicle, which I mistakenly left unlocked with the alarm off. I'd like thank you for trying the door instead of smashing the window.

Once inside my car, you dumped the contents of my glove compartment, center console, and ashtray all over my passenger side front seat and floor, leaving me quite a mess to clean up. I understand that you were probably in a rush, but the next time you care visit, please clean up after yourself. Oh, and also, be sure to CLOSE the door so as not to drain my battery!

I can only assume that you were looking for something of value — perhaps a Blackberry, an i-phone, a wallet, or a GPS. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I do not leave valuables in my car for strangers, such as yourself, to take from me. (I noticed, though, that you left the dollar or two in change sitting by the gear shift — is there a dollar amount that you would have taken?) As for the small $10 pocket knife that you did take — well, please consider that as a parting gift. (Never liked it anyway.)

As for the car itself — well, I suppose that a much-used and somewhat banged up 2002 Toyota Rav-4 probably wouldn't fetch much these days, so I understand why you didn't try to hotwire it and drive it away. I must say, however, that I was dumbfounded and quite sorry to see that you did not help yourself to the remarkable warehouse of treasures that were sitting in plain sight.

Allow me to explain.

You see, while driving my car back and forth to work, I regularly attend "Mobile University," and I listen to motivational and inspirational audio CDs for my own personal growth and development. Among my collection — which you carelessly tossed aside — are the following:

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer
The Power Of Intention by Wayne Dyer
Spiritual Activation by Julia Butterfly Hill
Power Networking by Brian Tracy
The Way to Wealth in America by Brian Tracy
The Millionaire Mindset by Lee Milteer
The Dale Carnegie Leadership Mastery Course
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Constantly feeding myself with this kind of information inspires me and keeps me in a positive frame of mind. I absorb new ideas and new information on a daily basis. Heck, I even have a CD to learn and practice my Spanish. So I imagine that, if you had taken the resources listed above — that is, if you had actually taken them, listened to them, and applied just a small percentage of the lessons contained within them — well, I imagine that your life could have been forever changed for the better. And I'm confident that if you had taken and used these items, you would have also RETURNED them to me with an apology and a note of thanks.

But you didn't take them.

Your loss.

Perhaps someday you'll have another opportunity to access a GOLD MINE like the one you overlooked on Friday night.

Thanks again for the reminder to lock my door and set my car alarm.

Warm regards,
Jason

Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, Boston

Some Thoughts on the New Karate Kid: A Rose By Any Other Name? You Decide.

2010-06-17T15:10:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I was pointed to a fairly scathing editorial about the new Karate Kid movie, written by Grandmaster Taejoon Lee.

Master Lee is clearly upset about the title of the film because it does not respect and honor the traditions and history of the art that is actually depicted in the film, namely, kung-fu. "There’s no excuse for us today to call something that’s Japanese as Chinese or vice-versa," Master Lee writes.

I think I understand Master Lee's outrage. As an American of African descent (and a few other things mixed in along the way, to be sure), I'd probably be a little offended at being lumped in with Haitians or Jamaicans or Sudanese simply because I am black. I'm an American, dammit!

And as a martial arts instructor, I believe I have a serious responsibility to make sure that my students understand and appreciate the cultural background and underpinnings of my chosen art, karate.

If I were of the hair-splitting type (hey, sometimes I am), I would be quick to point out that karate is NOT a Japanese art in the first place. Karate is an indigenous Okinawan art, one that was heavily influenced by Chinese martial systems, and an art that was eventually embraced and further refined and developed by the Japanese.

The makers of the new Karate Kid make it pretty clear that young Dre is learning kung-fu, and NOT karate. In one scene in which Dre is watching an instructional video on TV, they took some real steps to make the cultural distinction between karate (Okinawan) and kung fu (Chinese) — but whether those steps were enough is a matter of opinion. It's also pretty obvious that the name, "Karate Kid" was kept for reasons of marketing, branding, and nostalgia.

Still, some people are clearly offended. So, is the new Karate Kid just a rose by any other name? Does the name matter? I guess it all depends on your point of view. I'm not offended enough to boycott the movie, but after reading Master Lee's article, I'm a little more sensitive to the surrounding issues of culture and race that the movie brings up.

Ever Wonder If Karate Was Right for YOU?

2010-03-04T13:31:00.006-05:00

People get involved in the martial arts for a number of reasons. Some people may want to get stronger, or they may be interested in self-defense. Sometimes people join a dojo because they're sick of the gym, or because they're simply looking to try something new and different.

Karate training will improve your fitness. Just get started, and you'll become stronger, more grounded, and more flexible — and you'll notice the difference in a very short time. You'll learn a variety of different things, and of course, you'll learn to protect yourself from harm, too. But taking karate classes is more than an opportunity to learn blocks and strikes. Karate is a way of being!

The dojo is a special place where you can concentrate on self improvement, self discipline, and self expression. It's the perfect environment for you to shift your awareness away from everyday concerns and distractions so that you can work on YOU.

In addition to building physical skills, a traditional dojo focuses on promoting the classical "warrior virtues" of respect, patience, integrity, and discipline. One of the primary goals of your study is to help you develop a polished character — one that is imbued with humility, compassion, and a desire to make the world a better place.

Through serious training, you'll develop powerful focus and an unshakable confidence in your ability to accomplish any goal. The attitude, presence, and poise that you develop as part of your training will carry over into every area of your life.

When you join a dojo, you become part of a diverse group of friends like no other. If you're lucky enough to find a dojo like Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, you'll be surrounded by fun-loving people who are willing to help one another, get their hands dirty, and serve the communities in which they live, work, and play.

And no one you meet will be interested in punching or kicking anyone.

Rubber Meets Road: The Intersection of Martial Arts Philosophy and Real Life

2010-01-29T12:15:00.003-05:00

Back in 2001, as part of my Nidan (second degree black belt) examination, I was asked to write an essay in response to the question, "How have the philosophies of the martial arts influenced your life?"

This is what I came up with:

I took my first karate class at age 6 — there were no other boys my age in our neighborhood for me to play with, and my mother thought karate classes would be a good way for me to make some friends. I actually still remember that first lesson with clarity. More than anything, I remember that I wasn't very impressed with the class, but karate was something to do, and there were other boys there. So, I agreed to sign up. Now, as I turn 30 and look back to the start of my karate training, I can see that the martial arts have affected me on every level of my life: physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Indeed, the martial philosophies I have learned over the years color the way I interpret the world, and I know that I will continue training for the rest of my life.

I've always enjoyed hard physical training, and I strongly believe that the confidence and discipline I learned from pushing myself in the dojo has contributed to my successes in the military and in the corporate world. My physical study of the martial arts has stimulated my mind: I've amassed a library of more than 200 books, not only about the martial arts, but also about eastern culture, history, and philosophy. Through my own readings and through the teachings of my instructors, I feel that I have become a more spiritual person. For all of its violent, combative applications, karate has contributed to my emotional stability, and I feel that as a result of my training I have developed a more peaceful, balanced disposition.

Ethics and Morality

Sensei Kim is fond of repeating the following saying:

Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Through their own example, my instructors have taught me that karate is more than physical, and that our core values — respect, compassion, honor, integrity, and gratitude — are more than a list of words to be memorized. Indeed, our core values are a list of principles to be internalized — they become part of our personalities over time. The more we meditate on our core values and discuss them with each other, the more we will recognize them in our actions and in the actions of those around us. I am happy to report that the values I have learned in the dojo compliment and overlap the leadership traits and principles that I learned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

By observing the actions of my instructors and the senior students in the dojo, I have also discovered the martial arts values of generosity and humility. All of my peers are eager and willing to share their karate knowledge and insights, but the giving does not stop there. Everyone in the dojo is also quick to lend a hand or a dollar to a classmate, without any hesitation or expectation of reciprocation. It is beautiful and touching to observe. The most talented individuals in the dojo are paradoxically also the most self-effacing and humble. Their egos fully in check, they are admirable role models to follow.

As we absorb the intangible teachings of the dojo, our martial arts practice becomes a constant lesson in morality. Our Dojo Kun is a set of moral instructions that we can apply equally both inside of the dojo and in our daily lives:

Seek perfection of character
Be faithful
Endeavor
Respect others
Refrain from all violent action

Over the years, the meaning behind my karate training has been changing for me. I'm constantly striving for physical improvement in the dojo — I've got lots of room for it — and the focus of my karate training is still the perfection of my basics and kata. However, I know that practically anyone can learn to kick and punch in a fairly short amount of time, and I have learned by degrees that another goal of my karate training is the perfection of my character.

Beyond physical training, the dojo brings me face-to-face with my own ego, insecurities, and fears. When I see that someone on the dojo floor is more skilled than I am, I'm ashamed to admit that my ego makes a quick comparison, and I push myself just a little harder. Perhaps this is healthy, but nevertheless, I constantly remind myself to tend to my own garden. When I see someone who is not as skilled as I, I resist the urge to feel accomplished, and I look for a way to help that person improve. When my sensei or a senior student points out a flaw in my form or mistake that I have made, my ego attempts to resist the truth. Ultimately, I cannot hide from myself, and I know when I'm not doing my best on the dojo floor. Because these experiences carry over to other aspects of my life, I also know when I'm not doing my best at work, and in my personal relationships. In all three areas, I try to correct my flaws and shortcomings when I become aware of them.

Learning the Art of War

My practice of the martial arts has made me a more strategic thinker. As a Marine, I was required to learn both classical and modern combat tactics and battlefield strategy: the employment of troops, limitations of weapons systems, the effects of terrain and weather, logistics, intelligence, and more. Even today, Sun Tzu's The Art of War is on the reading list for Marine lieutenants. Because of my martial arts training, I have also read the strategic writings of Miyamoto Musashi, Yagyu Munenori, and others. The scaleable teachings of all of these men can be equally applied to combat between individuals, armies, or nations.

The principles of sen, go no sen, and sen no sen that I have learned from my teachers in the dojo has also made a great impression on me, and I've learned to apply these strategic principles in less martial settings. At work, I've discovered how to best take advantage of the relationships between different departments, and how personalities can play a role in corporate politics. I know whom to ally myself with, when to push my agenda, and when to be quiet. At home, I've learned how to choose my battles more carefully, be more flexible, and determine what is really important in life. Most importantly, at work and at home, I constantly strive to "win without fighting", and I try to avoid conflict altogether.

The Dojo is My Family

My karate training is high on my personal list of priorities, second only to my wife and family. In fact, the dojo members have become so much a part of my family, and the sense of community in our dojo has become so strong, that the two aspects of my life have become virtually indistinguishable from one another. My dojo mates and their families have grown together into a tightly knit support structure. As a pack, we work out together in the dojo, and socialize together on the weekends. We celebrate together at weddings, and cry together at funerals. Always, we celebrate each other's achievements and comfort each other in hard times. I am honored and blessed to have such unique and loving people in my life.

For these reasons, while I tremendously enjoy the work I do for a living, at a basic level, my work is what I do between karate lessons. The samurai value of loyalty is strong in our dojo, and the commitment to the dojo by its members is unquestionable. Sensei Ricci has always taught us, "Don't give up the night." He has said that every time you miss a class, it makes it easier for you to miss the next one. I've slipped into a slump from time to time, teetering on the edge of what we call "the black hole." However, we all know that if either student or teacher fails to make it to class, there is no dojo. We have a responsibility to each other to make it to class. All of us willingly make a small sacrifice every night we train: we understand that every hour we spend in the class is an hour away from family, career, other hobbies, laundry, the lawn, personal time, and more. Out of love, respect, and commitment to my extended martial arts family, I have resolved to make the dojo my "appointed place of duty" on karate nights, scheduling almost every other activity around my training. Week after week, we come to train. Sick or injured, we come to train. In summer's brutal heat and in winter's bitter cold, we come to train. This is what we do.

The Dancer and the Dance

I have always appreciated the simple beauty that is inherent in the martial arts. Setting combat practicality aside, I find the movements the Asian martial arts — particularly the movements of karate, tai chi, aikido, and iaido - to be unspeakably beautiful. There is nothing more pleasurable for me than to watch the performance of someone who is well advanced in the martial arts: it is indeed art! At the highest levels, there is no distinction between the performer and the performance. I see in others' effortless effort a shadowy hint of what is possible for me to express by means of my own body. I discovered the best expression of this concept in the following excerpt from Among Schoolchildren by W. B. Yeats:

Labour is blossoming or dancing where
The body is not bruised to pleasure soul.
Nor beauty born out of its own despair,
Nor blear-eyed wisdom out of midnight oil.
O chestnut-tree, great-rooted blossomer,
Are you the leaf, the blossom or the bole?
O body swayed to music, O brightening glance,
How can we know the dancer from the dance?

Practically speaking, karate training is "worthless." You can't see it, hear it, taste it, smell it, or feel it when you're not doing it - it doesn't exist without the actor. You can't hold a kata in your hand; after it's performed, it's gone. You can't spend it or trade it in for something. A painter creates something that exists long after he paints. The work of a martial artist is fleeting — most katas only last about sixty seconds or so - but it still communicates something pure!

Some years ago, I came across Peak Performance, a book about peak performance in sports activities. The author of the book wrote about the relationship between the body and the mind, and about the power of visualization and meditation. It was in this book that I first heard the term "flow state" used to define the fleeting feeling of effortlessness, confidence, unity, and freedom that one feels when totally absorbed in an activity. The book spoke volumes to me, for every now and again, when I'm at my best, in the midst of a kata, my mind becomes the peaceful eye of my physical hurricane, and I'm nearly overcome by a wonderful sense of peaceful detachment. My personal experiences on the dojo floor, the lectures of Sensei Kim, and my own readings have led me to believe that karate can serve as a powerful link to something beyond our everyday existence. A few years ago, I sketched out my own personal mission statement about my martial arts training:

Budo is the vehicle through which I practice the principles of warriorship. It is an inner calling. Training mind, body and sprit gives me a sense of purpose and the feeling that I am in control. Budo serves as a catalyst for constant self-improvement, honest introspection, character development, and overall well being - it is a gateway to other holistic disciplines. Through Budo I discover myself and my relationship to the universe; it has given me a sense of spirituality. During my journey I create my own reality and seek the company of others who share my vision.

My readings in Zen philosophy have taught me that only the present moment is important. Although it is difficult, multi-layered reading, Takuan Soho's The Unfettered Mind is one of my favorite books. I strive to be present in all I do, although I fail far more often than I succeed. Zen Buddhism was attractive to the feudal samurai because its teaching cultivated a free, unattached, spontaneous mind. Sitting meditation allowed the samurai to focus on the present moment, and doing day-to-day activities in the spirit of Zen was an opportunity to practice "mindfulness." Clearly, the ability to focus on the task at hand was valuable to the samurai: hesitation or attachment to life on the battlefield could mean certain death.

Modern karate training is often called a kind of moving meditation. When a person is totally focused on performing a movement, the mind grows increasingly quiet. There is no past, no future, and no ego: only total absorption in the current technique. Moreover, when the moves of a kata are so thoroughly and totally ingrained in an individual — to point that no thought is required to execute them - performance becomes pure expression of the soul. This stage — the "flow state" - is the goal of our training, and once we achieve it we'll do anything to feel it again, and lengthen the experience. Karate training has shown me that when the mind is quiet, wonderful things can happen: It's the silence between the notes that makes the music.

The Principles of Warrrorship

From my training in the martial arts, I have developed a fascination with eastern culture, concepts, and attitudes. As a United States Marine — a modern-day warrior — I began to idealistically compare my life and values with the lives and values of the feudal samurai of ancient Japan. It is very easy to draw a few simple parallels across time: the values of loyalty, bearing, tact, and physical courage are just as prominent in the lives of Marines today as they were in the lives of the samurai.

As I expanded my comparison, I discovered that throughout all of history, many warrior classes around the world have also held these values dear. I examined the knights of medieval Europe, the legionnaires of ancient Rome, the plains Indians of North America, and others, as I sought to learn more about the warrior's function in society. Without realizing it at the time, on my own, I had discovered the primary attributes of the classical warrior archetype.

Reading the works of anthropologists and sociologists gave me more insights into the nature of the archetypal warrior. My definition of a warrior grew beyond the realm of combat to include individuals who live an authentic life. I came to understand that along with loyalty, bearing, tact, and physical courage, a true warrior should also display presence, discipline, compassion, integrity, and moral courage. Certainly, Sun Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi, and Yagyu Munenori were warriors, but, in a broader sense, so were contemporary figures Dr. Martin Luther King, and Mahatma Ghandi.

A warrior is someone who, through committed action, transforms knowledge into power. Warriors seek to overcome their fears and maximize their abilities. A warrior seeks self-mastery instead of power over others. A warrior is someone who promotes peace and love. I believe that as marital artists, this type of warriorship should be our ultimate aim. It is our destiny as martial artists to become examples of outstanding moral character for the rest of our society to emulate.

The Journey toward Mastery

Many karate students have entered our dojo with the goal of earning a black belt. I have witnessed some students invest only the minimum amount of work they need to do in order to achieve their black belt, while others pursue the goal with vigor and enthusiasm. However, one thing remains constant: those who only set their eyes on a limited goal often disappear from the dojo shortly after obtaining it. It is unfortunate that so many never realize that achieving their black belt is a sign that one's training is truly just beginning. I have observed that the students that are "in it for the long haul" are focused on the process of training itself, not on the trappings of status and rank.

I have learned that there is no finish line in the martial arts. More importantly, I've realized that there isn't even a race to begin. Everyone in the dojo learns at his or her own pace and we should never judge our progress by our rank, or by how many katas we have memorized. The road to what outsiders call "mastery" is a lifelong journey without end — in every aspect of our training, there is always room for improvement, always more we can give of ourselves. As process-oriented students, we know that sincere effort and perseverance are more important than talent or results.

Sensei Kim has labored to teach patience to all of us. There are people in the dojo who will never be "good" (i.e., aesthetically pleasing to watch), but they still come every week, they still try to improve, and the dan ranks never tire of trying to help them. The martial arts journey is different for everyone. Whether you are practicing a martial art for self-defense or self-discovery is unimportant. I have learned that the only important thing is to patiently continue.

Better, Better, Better

Sensei Kim's mantra, "Every day in every way, I'm getting better, better and better," has had a profound effect on my life. His lectures on meditation, visualization, prayer, positive thoughts and energy have led me to do further reading on the power of the mind. Sensei Kim has taught us to tap the unconscious mind and give it a goal. Over the past few years, I have meditated, visualized, and consciously directed my mind in positive directions. I have also actively surrounded myself with positive, loving people. I believe that as a result, many of my dreams and desires have manifested in my life, including a beautiful and loving wife, a close-knit family, a challenging and rewarding job, excellent health, and dear friends. I am truly blessed and forever grateful.

_____________________________

I once heard the saying, "It is better to never begin; once begun, it is better to finish." I like to apply this maxim to my approach to martial arts. In my own study of the martial arts, I have continually gone deeper and deeper. I have yet to find the bottom - and I have yet to find any evidence that there even is one. Karate is a lifetime endeavor. As I've stated earlier, I will spend the rest of my days training.

It has been many years since karate ceased being "what I do" and began to be the art by which I define myself. From my martial arts training, I have learned about the duality of yin and yang, soft and hard, good and evil. I am more aware of the constant changes around me, and I have become more attuned to the changing of the seasons and the cyclical nature of life. Through karate, I have also become more aware of my own impermanence. As I progress in my own martial arts journey and watch my teachers age, I realize that I too, only have so much time for physical improvement. Technical proficiency is a worthwhile goal, but I know that the body is limited and time is against us all. Thus, we must bravely move beyond the physical aspect of our training to focus on strategy and — ultimately — spiritual growth.

I Dare You (What Insipres YOU?)

2009-10-06T15:48:00.003-05:00

When I was a little boy, maybe eight years old, my mother gave me a curious little book titled, I Dare You by William H. Danforth. It's a tiny little book, and I still pull it down from the shelf every now and again whenever I need a bit of inspiration. When my mother gave the book to me some 30 years ago, it was already worn out — It even smelled like an old book, so I think she'd had it in her possession for a number of years before passing it on to me. I was an avid reader back then (I still am!), and I read through I Dare You over and over. I never got sick of it. I didn't realize at the time the effect that little book would have on my life.

I was pleased to find today that the book is still in print. Find it here.

Today, I'm a martial arts instructor. But in my martial arts training, I'm playing all-out to get outside of the practice of punching and kicking by studying things like meditation, anger management, and nutrition, and by engaging in community service projects to make the world around me a better place. I'm trying LIKE HELL to transcend the physical aspects of the martial arts — even while I'm teaching all the little specific details that make shorinji-ryu karate so unique. And though I'm pretty sure that I'm not motivated by trophies or new ranks, I'm training for my next belt test like a man possessed. I want to see what I have inside of me.

I'm a writer, too: In the last two weeks, I've written two UBBT Journal entries, I've updated my dojo's Self Defense Resources blog, and I've authored three short articles for Examiner.com.

I guess I'm what you'd call "an expert in my field." This is what I do. I lead by example. I don't expect anyone to keep up with me, and I'm not in competition with anyone. But sometimes I feel like I'm not pushing hard enough, because I don't feel like I've inspired anyone to change their own habits and then help other people to improve their lives.

So today, to my students at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts (and in honor of my Mom, who inspires me), I offer this Dare:

I know that whatever you may be doing at the moment, you can do more. I know that whatever challenge you may be facing in your life, you can overcome it. You are so much more than what you're currently demonstrating.

So show me what you're really capable of! Show me that your interest and commitment to your training goes beyond what you get out of coming to the dojo two or three times a week. Show me — and the rest of the world — that you really do take your training home with you when you step off the mat and take off your gi.

I DARE YOU to feel what giving and contributing can do to your experience of being a genuine martial arts student/leader.

I DARE YOU to stand tall, think tall, smile tall, and live tall.

I DARE YOU to be an Artist of Life.

I Wish I Could Do More

2009-07-29T16:09:00.002-05:00

I've done a lot of amazing things in my life, and still, I wish I could do more.

I'd like to learn a sword art.
I'd like to be more at ease with my yoga and meditation practice.
I'd like to be more conversant in another language.
I'd like to read more books. (Shoot, I'd like to write more books!)
There are UBBT events that I'd like to attend, but I can't get to them.
There's a tournament coming up this fall in Sacramento. And as much as I'd like to be there to support the event, I won't be there.
I wish I could cure my daughter's diabetes. I never went to medical school, so I'm depending on a lot of good people to get that one crossed off my list.
I'd like to go on a month-long backpacking expedition in Peru or Nepal — or both. (And I want to afford college and a comfortable retirement)

I could go on and on. There's so much more I want to learn and experience, but I'm constrained by the realities of time, energy, finances, age, physical limitations, personal choices, and of course, my lovingly upheld obligations to family. Damn!

But then again, so is everyone else.

Every day, we all get the same 24 hours. So no, I'm not making excuses for all the things I've failed to do or accomplish. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, either. Rather, today I'm just facing — perhaps really for the first time — the stark reality that while I know for sure that I can accomplish ANYTHING that I want to do in my life, I can't possibly accomplish EVERYTHING that I want to do.

So some tough choices need to be made.

It's time for me to re-organize and re-prioritize my "big to-do list" based on what I REALLY want. I can do anything I want to do, but I won't get to it all. Because the clock is ticking on my life.

I'm in need of some serious focus. So today I ask myself this: When I'm lying on my death bed (hopefully many, many, many years from now, resting comfortably and content in the company of loved ones who adore me), what will I regret having not done?

Revisiting The Black Belt Traits

2009-07-13T09:38:00.002-05:00

In our dojo, we frequently focus on a list of virtues that I have come to call the "Black Belt Traits." The list is designed to help answer the question, "What qualities and personality characteristics should students from our dojo exemplify in their lives and daily actions?"

A few years back, I assembled the list of Black Belt Traits (respect, compassion, gratitude, patience, integrity, discipline, responsibility) from my own experiences and introspection, plus a number of martial sources, including the samurai code of Bushido, the European feudal knight's code of chivalry, and the leadership principles and core values of the United States Marine Corps. It's not a bad list, but is it a complete one?

I recently participated in an interesting conversation about the classical and modern martial virtues, in which a number of other values and character traits were mentioned. "Honor," "courage," and "right action" were discussed. (There was even an interesting digression about the virtues of "revenge" and "ritual suicide," but the conversation eventually got back on track.)

Opinions were all over the board. But it all got me thinking: There's certainly lots of value in our classical and modern martial virtues, but as modern-day martial artists (i.e., individuals not engaged as professional warriors, living lives in which, generally, the likelihood of facing mortal combat or deadly physical assault is fairly low), might we also add some positive, but decidedly non-martial qualities to our list of the values that we seek to embody?

Today, I'm thinking about "Generosity" and "Kindness."

On Community Activism and the Martial Arts

2009-06-04T08:14:00.003-05:00

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You Can't Push A String!

2009-05-29T11:02:00.002-05:00

On Friday mornings during the school year, I teach an hour-long "enrichment" karate class to a group of 4th and 5th graders at a local elementary school before I head into work for the day. It's usually a fun and rewarding class: I get to do what I love with a great group of enthusiastic and energetic kids. We practice kicks and punches, we talk about martial arts in the movies, we have great conversations about respect and discipline, and I teach a little about karate history and philosophy along the way.

Last week, however, I started to teach a new group, and it was a total nightmare: the kids were inattentive, disrespectful, and noisy from the very beginning. It must have been the nice weather on a Friday before a long weekend, or so I thought. The students' poor behavior spiraled quickly downward to the point that I felt that I could no longer conduct a safe class. I made several attempts to regain control, but I failed each time. So as much as I hated to do it, I retreated to my last resort: I brought the kids back into their classroom, and I directed them to sit down and read silently at their desks for the rest of the period. And at the end of the hour, I left the school feeling defeated and dejected.

Ugh.

So last night I found myself dreading returning to my Friday morning class to endure another frustrating and disappointing experience. While preparing dinner, I sighed and said to my wife, "Man, I just don't know what I'm gonna do with these kids tomorrow."

She simply responded with a smile as she chopped the vegetables for our salad. "Well, dear, you're going to teach them," she said.

And, bam, it hit me:

How ironic was it that I could be confident facing an armed aggressor, and yet be apprehensive about the prospect of engaging a small group of unruly 11-year olds? Had all my years of training taught me nothing? Where was the all fearlessness and determination that I've learned in the dojo? Where had my ability to endure hardship gone? Where was my mastery? Had I lost the desire to help and inspire others with and through my art? No!

So I put on a new attitude on my way to class this morning. I assembled a lesson plan that would engage and amaze even the most unimpressable child. I downed a cup of coffee, and headed off to class full of energy and excitement.

Within the first 5 minutes of class, I got some feedback:

"This is stupid."

"Can we do something else?"

"I don't like karate."

"This is so boring."

Then the side conversations started, followed quickly with fooling around that led to pushing and shoving and posturing among the children. %@*#&! I'd lost the class again!

Once more I stopped teaching, directed the kids back to their desks, and had each of them open a book for silent reading. And then I realized that that's probably exactly what they wanted to do this morning in the first place.

My sensei once told me, "You can't push a string." He's right. No one learns karate or appreciates what it has to offer unless they truly want to. It's something that can't be forced. You can't win 'em all, I guess. But what the heck am I gonna do for next week's class?

The Albert Einstein Theory of Self-Defense

2009-05-12T15:23:00.003-05:00

I received an interesting phone call last night: A gentleman called our dojo to ask how long it would take him to become proficient at self-defense if he were to begin training with us. I resisted the urge to babble on about the history of our art. I didn't want to tout the effectiveness of the techniques that I teach when they are applied to "real-life street situations." And, I also didn't want to give a vague, "well, that depends on a number of factors..." kind of response.

I was curious, so I decided to listen.

"That's a great question," I said. "Can you tell me why you're asking it?"

The answer I got was interesting:

"Well, I just think that the way things are going in the world today, I think it would be a good idea if I learned how to take care of myself."

Hearing this, I asked a few quick probing questions to try to determine if the man on the phone was in any immediate danger. Given my background and experience, I feel an obligation to provide training, information, and resources to anyone in need. Physical safety comes first, before trying to enroll a new student or impress someone with my knowledge and/or personal skills.

But I got the sense that the man on the other end of the phone was not specifically threatened. Rather, he seemed to be feeling pessimistic and increasingly insecure about the world we live in. And who can blame him? There are shootings and muggings in the city every day. People are tense and nervous about the economy and its inevitable effect on civility. The evidence of impending doom is all around us, and it all gets piped into our homes in multimedia, full-color, high-definition — with stereo surround sound to boot.

I told the man that if he was interested in learning about physical self-defense and safety, we could certainly accommodate him. After all, we are a karate school, and we are in the business of teaching blocks and strikes to people of all ages and levels of ability. "But," I told him, "true self-defense is about awareness and avoidance of physical conflict, even if you are very good at punching people in the face."

Even as the words left my mouth, though, I was reminded of a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein, wherein he supposedly stated that the most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe. The thinking goes that one's answer to that question will determine one's destiny.

So, I then started to talk to the man on the phone about the underlying values of our dojo, and that while we take the study of our art very seriously, we are also committed to changing the world by making positive contributions to it.

"We also practice self-defense by getting involved in our neighborhoods and our communities and by hanging around people that share common values and a desire for peace. I believe that our actions make a difference, and that by taking these positive actions, we ultimately make ourselves — and our families and our communities — happier, and healthier, and safer."

Before he hung up the phone, the gentlemen thanked me, and he told me that he would consider coming in for a trial class.

Some Thoughts on Being a Warrior

2009-04-24T09:08:00.002-05:00

I'm playing with new technology today — and learning, I hope, some new tricks! Isn't this what being a warrior is all about? Facing a new challenge, figuring out how to overcome it, and applying the knowledge that is gained from the experience in a way that serves others?

Dreaming

2009-04-08T10:45:00.003-05:00

Last night I had a strange but very lucid dream in which I was having a conversation with a friend and martial arts mentor of mine about the martial arts, their modern-day relevance, and our search for deeper truth and meaning in the practice of our art. (It's rare that I remember my dreams so vividly, so I thought I'd share this one.)

In the dream, my friend expressed his frustration at the superficial training that I was receiving, which stressed physical application and memorization without tapping into history, culture, and even universal human myth; he also agonized at my training, which, while effective, had no depth, no spirit, and no sense of celebration.

In the dream, my friend broke away from our conversation for a moment to show me some of what he had learned from his latest mentor — it was an unfamiliar (and decidedly non-martial) art with dance-like movements that were full of joy, laughter, love, light-heartedness, music, and expressions of sincere gratitude.

My friend and I then continued our conversation, at which point I told him (in reference to my martial arts training), "I feel like there's no food left on my plate, but I'm still hungry." He didn't respond, but an answer came to me:

When it comes to my budo training, It's time for me to cultivate my own seeds, to grow my own food, and — most importantly — to head deeper into the bush in search of bigger game.

And then — poof — the dream ended, and I woke up feeling unusually refreshed.

Strange, no?

An Oldie, But a Goodie

2009-03-30T11:51:00.002-05:00

Student Creed Essay, from July, 2004:

"I am an Artist of Life."

As karate students, we seek to perfect our physical techniques (and character!) in class through hard training and repetition. In every class we do our best to be a little bit better than we were in the class before, and to learn just a little bit more of our martial art's techniques. But, taking in a much larger view, we can actually consider all of life as our training hall (dojo). From this perspective, we can be more than just martial artists, we can become "Artists of Life." And just like karate training, the only way to get better at Life is to practice, practice, practice!

Our dojo is filled with diverse and talented people! In our jobs, we should seek to be known as dependable, competent, and confident. Ask yourself: Am I the best lawyer/doctor/student/teacher/whatever I can be? Am I doing my BEST to be creative and expressive in and through my profession?

In our relationships, we seek to be considerate, kind, and generous. Are you being the BEST sibling/spouse/parent/son/daughter you can be? We can all get better at laughing, loving, and serving our communities through practice! The "hard training" we have to face in life sometimes comes from challenges, disappointments, and setbacks, but they'll ultimately make us better people!

Ask yourself: What have I learned about my Art (Life) today? How can I make my personal painting/sculpture/kata just a little bit better tomorrow? What will my masterpiece called "Life" look like when it's finished?

"I am responsible for all of my actions, choices, and decisions."

When we accept total responsibility for every aspect of our lives, we gain both freedom and power. However, when we blame others for our personal circumstances, we give that power and freedom away. By listening to our own inner voice, and by doing what is right and true and necessary for us, we free ourselves of the need for others' approval or permission. By living independent of the good opinion of others, and by willingly accepting the consequences of our actions (for better or for worse), we no longer allow external factors to determine our happiness.

Accepting responsibility does not mean that life's unfortunate or unlucky events are automatically our fault. Unexpected problems will continually show up in our lives, but we are "response-able," and ALWAYS in control of our attitude. Whenever we are faced with surprises, hardships, and challenges (read, "opportunities"), we can always CHOOSE how we're going to respond. And, whenever we make mistakes, we should resolve to own them completely without shifting the blame to something or someone outside of ourselves. (Of course, all of this is not as easy as it sounds! If it were, everyone would be doing it!)

If you are suddenly threatened on the street, an "instinctive reaction" (fear, panic, freezing up, flight, rage) might be inappropriate or potentially dangerous. Instead of reacting, however, an individual with sufficient awareness and presence of mind can confidently choose from a variety of "trained responses" (avoidance, de-escalation, measured physical countermeasures). This is where martial arts training can help by giving us more options. Through physical and mental training and conditioning, we become increasingly "response-able."

Our lives are the sum total of all of our thoughts and actions. Motivational speaker Brian Tracy has said, "Thoughts are causes; conditions are effects." By staying positive and by taking responsibility for the quality of our thoughts, we'll remain squarely in the driver's seat of our lives! I'll close this section with an expression that Sensei Richard Kim was very fond of:

Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.
Watch your actions, they become your habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

"My goal is to be the best I can be, and to bring out the best in others."

So now we understand that striving to be the best we can possibly be in every area of our lives is the sure path to becoming an Artist of Life. But, if we're always just trying to be number one, our lives will quickly be reduced to a struggle in which there must always be a winner and a loser. I believe it was Genghis Khan who said, "It is not enough that I succeed. Others must fail." Not so! As martial artists, instead of simply pumping up our own egos and working on our own superiority, we must efface the ego while also seeking to bring out the best in other people. As I have become fond of saying lately, "We're all in this together!"

So how can we bring out the best in others?

Avoid unnecessary conflict. In your daily interactions with people, try to always look for the "win-win" solution by focusing on unselfishness and committing to service. (Read Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.) Before forcing your own agenda and opinions onto others, increase your awareness of what's really important to them, and make sure you understand their perspective. Whenever you can work together with someone toward a mutually beneficial outcome, instead of struggling against them, you'll often find that one plus one equals three (or four, or ten)!

If you look for the best in other people, you'll almost always find it. (If you look for the worst in other people, you'll certainly find that instead.) In your relationships, don't focus on the things in other people that annoy you. Instead, focus on the things you love about other people! Acknowledge all the things that are right before you give constructive criticism. Freely give out compliments and support -- but don't patronize!

Sometimes competition is necessary. Every day, we compete in athletics, politics, business, and love. Healthy competition brings out the best in all of us, so always play your hardest! However, be aware of your motivations, and decide what's really important by asking: What will I have left if I choose to win at all costs? Bring the Olympic spirit into your everyday struggles, great and small. Seek out only worthy opponents who will raise the level of play and challenge you to be your best. Remember: blow-outs are boring, and our trivial victories diminish us as much as our Pyrrhic ones. Win with humility, lose with grace, and learn to recognize when it's time to call it a draw. (And, sometimes it's okay to let the other guy win!)

Finally, in the conduct of your life, you can bring out the best in others through your own attitude and personal behavior. Others will be drawn to your personal example if you live your life on purpose and with integrity. By exercising and demonstrating the Black Belt Traits, we can inspire others to greatness!

Seeking honesty in my heart, confidence in my mind, and strength in my body, I will train with respect, humility, and an indomitable spirit.

Ask yourself: “Why am I learning karate?” Some people come to the dojo to learn self-defense. Others come to relieve stress, get in better shape, learn a new art form, or meet new people. What are your personal training goals? If you’re seeking improved fitness, increased confidence, and stronger mental discipline, karate training will develop all of these things! I’ve always said that karate is a journey of self-discovery. So, if karate is a journey — and if some of the benefits I’ve mentioned are the destinations — then what should you pack for the trip?

Indomitable spirit!

Sooner or later, you’re going to a few bumps in the road, and your karate training will bring you face-to-face with one or more of your personal limitations. (Perhaps it’s happened already!) The bumps in your personal karate journey may be the physical limits of your strength, endurance, flexibility, or coordination. A nagging injury may force you to slow down, modify your techniques, or skip a class or two. Your bumps may also be mental obstacles that become manifest as impatience at your lack of improvement, frustration at your inability to master a form, or even boredom from the seemingly endless repetition. The bumps that show up outside of the dojo (stress at work, strained personal relationships, laundry, and all the other things that make up our lives) may also prevent us from getting to the dojo to train for days or weeks.

In the course of your training, the bumps you encounter in the dojo and in life will frustrate you again and again. They may cause you to question why you started karate training (or piano lessons, or medical school) in the first place. If the bump is big enough, you might even be tempted to quit. (I’ve come close to quitting karate many times myself!) The key to getting past the bumps in your training is to train with indomitable spirit!

Indomitable spirit is a combination of inner strength and commitment. It’s what keeps the last-place marathon runner going until she crosses the finish line, long after the crowds have gone home. Indomitable spirit is confidence and a winning attitude. It’s what brought the New England Patriots down the field for the final score in their amazing come-from-behind Super Bowl victory. Indomitable spirit is infinite patience, perhaps best demonstrated by Mother Nature: It’s how the Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon!

It’s your enthusiasm and dedication that will take you all the way to Black Belt and beyond. If you never quit, you'll never fail! With indomitable sprit, we can press on when things get difficult for us. Keep in mind that our potential is always greater than our performance, and displaying indomitable spirit does not always mean trying harder or pushing yourself past exhaustion. There will be many disappointments on your journey, so relax, humbly trust in the process of your training, and draw on the energy of others whenever you’re tired or frustrated. And, be sure to give your energy and encouragement away when you sense that someone else could use a lift!

The moment that you really want to quit is exactly when you’re about to learn something new about yourself. Endeavor! Persevere! Grow and learn! Rest if you must, and respect your limits, but don’t ever give up on your goals!

We Are a Black Belt School — A Community Striving for Personal Excellence!

What does it mean to be a Black Belt?

Beyond knowledge of the physical requirements listed on the grading sheet, and a few years of dedicated training, a Black Belt should be someone who embodies the Black Belt traits and commits to high personal standards. Black Belt Excellence means consistently demonstrating technical proficiency, superior attitude, and indomitable spirit. An ideal Black Belt is both a leader and a role model — she is someone to emulate. But what about outside the dojo? What does a Black Belt do when he’s stuck in traffic and late for work? How does a Black Belt respond when the kids track mud all over the house?

What do we mean when we say that we are a Black Belt School?

Our dojo is a community that has come together for a common purpose, and the Black Belt is the universal standard of performance which we all strive to achieve. Regardless of our individual belt ranks, we are committed to our Core Values, the ideals of the Black Belt, and each other. The rank of Black Belt is not the end of the martial arts road. In fact, earning a Black Belt is a sign that you are now ready to BEGIN your training. (Note that "Shodan" means "first step" in Japanese.) When we say that we are a Black Belt School, we’re affirming that we’ll always remain humble even as our skills increase.

What would the martial arts be without the Black Belt?

In the dojo, it seems as though we’re always working toward something. Would the dojo be the same without objective standards of excellence, a ranking system, and common goals and values? Of course not! It would simply be a gym! The ranks we earn reward us for all our hard work. They motivate us to improve, help us to track our progress, and let us know where we stand relative to our classmates. But, at some point we must move beyond the trappings of rank and status, and enjoy the art for its own sake. We're all on the same path, but each person's journey is unique.

Although some martial arts schools place gold or red stripes on the Black Belt for each dan rank that is achieved, no additional external recognition is given after Shodan in our school. Thus, there is no immediate difference in appearance between a first degree Black Belt and a fifth degree Black Belt, although there can be more than 20 years of experience and dedication that separate the two.

The clothes you wear, car you drive, and the house you live in can all be viewed as external signs of your status in life. Always remember that a cotton belt around your waist does not define who you are, no matter what color it is. Keep your beginner’s mind, and forget about the belt that’s around your waist — we are a Black Belt School! Ultimately, your Black Belt gets its deeper value and personal meaning from just a few sources: your esteem for the person and the organization awarding your rank, the people with whom you train to earn your Black Belt, the depth to which your training influences your character (martial virtue), and the amount of individual effort, dedication, and sacrifice that you put in.

What color belt do you wear on the inside?

Kaizen!

The Japanese word "kaizen" means constant and continuous improvement. The key aspect of kaizen is that it is an on-going, never-ending, incremental improvement process. It's a soft and gradual method, and to follow it requires commitment and patience. The key elements of kaizen are sincere effort, discipline, enthusiasm, teamwork, honesty, and a willingness to change. Thus, the kaizen philosophy is a perfect approach to martial arts training.

I like to compare the process of karate training to that of gradually turning a cube into a sphere by cutting off the corners. Every time we cut off a corner of the cube, it begins to take on a rounder shape. However, to make each cut, we must create three more corners in the process: They too will need to be cut, sanded, and polished. This is the only example I can think of in which cutting corners is acceptable! But, as Sensei Hidy Ochiai, a genuine karate master who teaches in Binghamton, New York, once said to me, "Life is short; Art is long."
The philosophy of kaizen, like everything else discussed in this essay, extends beyond the walls of the dojo. In our lives, there is always room for improvement and continuously trying to become better. Every aspect of our life — our personal life, home life, social life, and working life — deserves to be constantly improved! This is how we can become an Artist of Life. And so, this essay has come full circle. I'll close with another quote from Sensei Richard Kim. He uttered the following mantra in virtually every lecture of his that I attended:

"Every day in every way, I'm getting better, better, better."

How Are You Growing?

2009-02-27T16:21:00.003-05:00

Spring is coming.

Flower buds are starting to come up through the soil. Soon, they'll be in bloom.

I once read that the biggest difference between a flower that's alive and a flower that is dead is that the flower that is alive is GROWING, and that the one that is dead isn't growing. Simple, no?

So, aside from the myriad details of your metabolism and the rate at which your skin cells get replaced each day, how are YOU growing — physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally?

We martial artists have a simple and accessible answer — theoretically, anyway: following the budo, we train constantly, so our physical bodies are always adapting and growing. For our mental growth, learning new techniques, memorizing the patterns of kata, or studying martial arts history or philosophy stimulates our minds and expands our knowledge. Our brains literally grow new connections to make sense of all the information we take in. Pushing outside of our comfort zones, and endeavoring to develop a warrior's mindset polishes and grows our spirit. By training with others, and by facing our own limitations again and again, we come to recognize and appreciate the fragility of the human condition. This fosters within us a sense of compassion. Our hearts grow.

But let us not limit our "growth" to what I affectionately call the "white pajama world" inside the walls of our dojo. If our budo training is going to mean anything in our everyday lives outside the training hall, then growth should happen outside the dojo, too. As my UBBT coach Tom Callos is fond of saying, "My life is my dojo."

What are you doing to grow physically between karate classes? Are you walking or jogging regularly? Stretching, or engaging in cross training — or some other form of exercise?

For your mental development (and balance), what books are you reading besides books on the marital arts? Are you involved in a non-martial hobby? Who are you hanging out with? Have you ever done a sudoku puzzle? (This last one is just an example ... I have never done sudoku. Tried it once. It hurt.)

Spiritually, do you regularly find time for meditation, silence, and stillness? A little quiet contemplation goes a long way: I recommend that you sit and ask yourself one big question a day: Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? If the biggest question you ask yourself each day is something akin to "What am I going to have for lunch?" then I suggest that you have some work to do!

Here's a tough question: How do YOU grow your heart? Help others. Serve more. Listen more. Give a compliment. Withhold a criticism. Over-tip. Dance. Make that donation you've been putting off. Call your mom and thank her. Imagine. Better yet, play – and don't keep score.

And I want to be clear: my definition of "growth" goes beyond acquisition of talent, skill, stuff, or information. That's "getting," not "growing." To me, growing involves collection, absorption, study, embodiment, application, and opening yourself up to feedback. A growing flower does not measure itself against some flower standard of perfection, or against the flower next door. It just reaches toward the sun... and attracts the bee.

Growth (inside and outside of the dojo) requires curiosity, humility, desire, and maybe even a sense of adventure. And patience, too. Information absorbed becomes knowledge. Knowledge applied becomes power. Power shared becomes wisdom.

Or … something like that. Yikes... Perhaps I've started to babble a bit.

Enough reading — get out there and grow. Stretch. And don't forget to stop and smell the flowers every once in a while!

Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!

2009-02-06T16:10:00.001-05:00

As part of my New Year's resolutions, I've taken up the study and practice of regular meditation. I'm serious this time — really! Accordingly, I went out back in January and dutifully purchased a few books and CDs on meditation — and I dove right in. [splash]

All the books on meditation come with some simple, basic instructions:

Step 1: Find a quiet place to sit.
Step 2: Sit comfortably but not rigid
Step 3: Pay attention to your breath, and let any distracting thoughts go without attachment
Step 4: Repeat — regularly!

After a month of mostly-steady practice, I thought I'd share some of my observations of the battle I've been waging inside my head:

Finding 10-15 minutes of peace and quiet each day is proving to be much harder than I thought it would be. I can't possibly be that busy, can I? Clearly my priorities are way out of whack! I got 10 minutes of meditation in today, only because I consciously decided to be 10 minutes late to work. And finding 20 minutes to sit there and do nothing? Ha!

Reading about meditation is not meditation.

Thinking about meditation is not meditation.

Trying to meditate is not the same thing as actually meditating.

Only meditating is meditating, and I'm finding that sitting there doing nothing is damn hard work. Is it possible that I can be beaten so handily by a tiny little cushion?

I'm my own worst enemy! Somehow, I've procrastinated, delayed, and otherwise avoided my meditating sessions by searching for all the perfect meditation equipment. Candles, incense, and soft music are nice, but not necessary. Neither are statues, gongs, or even a nice soft cushion for your butt.

And sitting with a comfortable posture? Impossible! I watch my daughter in amazement as she sits ramrod straight with the royal ease of Kuan Yin. Yeah, a few minutes of that and I'm more than a little uncomfortable. One more reason, my mind says, to give this whole thing up.

But I'm not giving up. No way: My mind has no idea how stubborn I am.

Oneness, Irony, and Contradiction

2009-01-23T14:04:00.001-05:00

Quick funny story:

On my lunch break this afternoon, I ran over to the local bookstore to pick up a copy of Shambhala Sun magazine to replace the one I'd lost — I hadn't finished reading a particular section on improving one's meditation practice before it disappeared, and I wanted to finish the articles to help keep up my motivation to sit more regularly.

As it turns out the issue I was looking to replace wasn't on the newsstand. But, lured in by an article entitled "Peace on the Street," and another, "Procession of Peace, " I ended up grabbing a copy of Tricycle magazine instead. ("No, I'm not a Buddhist, but I play one on TV...")

And since I was in the bookstore anyway, I then wandered over to the martial arts section, where I stumbled upon "Mediations on Violence," a new book that compares martial arts training with the dynamics of real-world violence. Oh, how could I resist?

With my contradictions in hand, I blissfully headed to the register.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2009-01-06T12:05:00.001-05:00

I've always said that as modern martial artists, we need to study, discuss, embrace, and embody the values of classical warrior cultures. These values — martial virtues — include respect, compassion, gratitude, patience, integrity, discipline, responsibility, loyalty, courage, commitment, and honor. That's not an all-inclusive list, but it's a good start.

Well, I recently sat at the foot of a master, and learned a great deal about RESPECT. So I thought I'd share some observations here.

The funny thing about learning from "the masters" is that you almost never really know when you're going to run into one. The master I met recently is named Niyi Taiwo, and we bumped into each other (literally) when I attended a local breakfast-time business advisory board meeting. I was juggling a cup of coffee and a plate of cut fruit at the time — it could have been a disaster!

After apologies, introductions, and the requisite polite chit chat, I learned that Mr. Taiwo has spent a great deal of time studying the subject of respect. In fact, he wrote an entire book about it. As the keynote speaker at the meeting, Mr. Taiwo offered a summary of his writings. I took notes:

According to Mr. Taiwo, there are 3 basic kinds of respect. Human respect is our basic sense of self-respect that is bestowed upon us by our parents, teachers and role models. It is also our valuation of others, based on what we have learned about fundamental human value from our parents, teachers, and role models. Positional respect comes from the various roles we play and the titles we hold — across all dimensions of our life. Earned respect is based on other's perceptions of our actual actions, words and associations.

How much respect we give to or receive from another person influenced by each individual's unique value system, and our personal value systems are shaped by a number of factors, including (1) our spiritual belief system, (2) our ethnic culture, (3) our family traditions and generational habits, (4) our own moral code and sense of right and wrong, (5) etiquette, protocol, and manners, and (6) learned standards of acceptance.

The challenge with respect is that with all the inter- and intrapersonal dynamics involved in living a human life, and with all of the unique events that we each experience and interpret, it's impossible for us to all have the exact same value system. So how we go about giving, gaining, and sustaining respect can be a tricky thing. What one person or group values or esteems, another may disregard, despise, or even fear.

Gichin Funakoshi, known as the founder of modern karate, said, "Never forget that karate begins and ends with respect." As martial artists, what do we respect? A good side kick? A nice horse stance? The beginner? The master? Why do we respect someone who moves with power, speed, and grace, or the particular color of a belt that's wrapped around someone's waist? How do we esteem dedication, humility, and quiet confidence? What about the willingness to try new things and fail?

Some questions to ask yourself: What or whom do you respect? Why? Do others outside of your "tribe" of family and social circle feel the same way? Why or why not? Who's right? Who's wrong? And how do you know?

Coffee Talk

2008-11-12T10:49:00.003-05:00

The other day, I stopped in at the local coffee shop where I bumped into the owner of the local mixed martial arts studio. We've met once or twice before, and our respective martial arts studios are about a two-minute walk apart from one another. But in truth, they couldn't be further apart.

He ordered a protein supplement drink; I ordered a chai tea. While we waited for our drinks, I tried to strike up a conversation by asking him how things were going at his studio.

"Great," he responded. "I think I've got one of my guys a slot in the UFC. We're just nailing down all the final details for his fight."

He was swelling with pride, and I congratulated him for his student's accomplishment. He then asked what I was up to.

"Things are great at our dojo, too," I said. "One of my students is in the middle of a community service project to deliver hand-made winter clothes to needy city kids, and I just wrapped up a diabetes awareness and prevention training class for at-risk youth at the local grade school."

I must admit that I was swelling with pride, too.

Immediately thereafter, though, our conversation sputtered, and died a decidedly ungraceful death. Never in the history of the world, I think, did two extremely passionate martial artists have less to say to one another!

The Service-Oriented Dojo

2008-10-10T10:45:00.010-05:00

In 1998, I was serving aboard the U.S.S. Wasp as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. We had just completed combat operations in Bosnia and port calls in Spain, Turkey, and Greece. Halfway through our six-month deployment, I had visited parts of the world that I never expected to see.

Being away from home was tough, but I believed that I was living the life of a modern warrior: I was a Marine captain in charge of a 25-person detachment and responsible for millions of dollars' worth of vehicles and sensitive equipment. We had been given an important intelligence-collecting mission, and shipboard life was exciting because our daily operations put us in real danger. Physically, I was in amazing shape. I was good at my job, and I loved it.

As a Marine, I had to understand classical and modern combat tactics and strategies, including battlefield logistics, the principles for deploying troops, the strengths and limitations of various weapons systems, the effects of terrain and weather on operations, and more. I spent a lot of time studying leadership traits and principles and working on my own professional military education.

My lifelong study of the Japanese martial arts, particularly karate, had influenced my concept of what a warrior should be. Naturally, I had read Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings, and other ancient texts on warfare and fighting. My understanding of bushido affected my way of thinking and acting. I thought of myself as a kind of modern samurai, and I swelled with the pride of serving my country.

As busy as the deployment was, shipboard life provided me with ample time for reading, deep thinking, and introspection. I became obsessed with learning all I could about warriors and warriorship. My martial arts reading included books by the budo masters of the 20th century — men who emphasized the value of the martial arts beyond their physical applications. Gichin Funakoshi taught that the true aim of karate is the perfection of character; Jigoro Kano emphasized judo as a path of service and contribution; and Morihei Ueshiba focused on matters of spirit, expressing his love for all of humanity through aikido.

The works of anthropologists and sociologists taught me a great deal about the archetypal warrior. My personal definition of a warrior expanded beyond combatants and fighting to include those courageous, inspired, and disciplined individuals who dared to live an authentic life. Sun Tzu and Miyamoto Musashi were warriors, but in a broader sense, so were contemporary figures Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi. I discovered that warriors lacking martial prowess could still "fight" by taking committed action for equality, justice, and social change. You won't find this kind of thinking in any Marine Corps manual!

While at sea, I knew that I was doing meaningful work. I was living the life of a warrior. But the more I read, the more I realized that very little — if any — of my Marine training had touched upon the "softer" warrior qualities of mercy, gentleness, and generosity that I found myself reading more and more about. I felt out of balance, and deep inside I knew that a warrior's life — the kind of life that I really wanted to live, anyway — had to be something beyond what I was experiencing as a Marine. The tension between opposite aspects of the warrior archetype — the fierce combatant and the compassionate servant leader — was increasing within me, and soon enough, I was miserable.

I felt particularly melancholy about not being able to spend more time studying and practicing martial arts. Something had permanently shifted inside me. Stuck aboard ship, I realized that I deeply needed to follow a more meaningful warrior's path. Finally, one evening — as I sat on the Wasp's flight deck watching the sun set over the Greek islands — I decided that being a Marine wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

A journal entry I made around that time reflected my true passions and goals:

"I want to open a martial arts school that focuses on character and community. I want to create an organization that can spread budo, assist the community, and create and provide role models. I also want to leave a mark that shows that I sought to be a part of something greater than myself, that I strove to achieve something worthwhile and inherently good. I'd like to touch other lives and share the martial experience with other people."

Shortly after we had returned to the States, I told my Marines that I would be leaving the Marine Corps. I intended to eventually open my own karate dojo so that I could serve the world in a much broader sense. I'm not entirely sure they understood me.

Today, I am the Chief Instructor at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, the dojo I established in Boston in 2003. The dojo is built on a solid foundation of sweat, effort, and serious intent. I demand a lot from my students, and we cherish our warrior heritage. We train hard, and the physical training we experience together forms part of our common bond.

Teaching students to defend themselves is a responsibility that I take very seriously. As an instructor, I feel it is my duty to accurately and passionately transfer the knowledge of kata and techniques that my teachers have given to me. Physical mastery is a worthy goal for any martial artist, but technical and tactical proficiency is a must for any Black Belt! If push ever comes to shove, I'm confident that when properly applied, the techniques we learn and practice on the mat will work "out on the street."

An understanding of martial arts history and philosophy gives us sorely needed perspective, balance, and wisdom. So in addition to all of the physical training that happens at the dojo, we study hard, too. I ask my students to complete various reading and writing assignments as they progress through the ranks to help develop their character and their appreciation of the martial virtues of respect, loyalty, and gratitude.

But I believe that to be truly relevant in modern times, the martial arts — and the artists who practice them — must transcend physical "self-defense." We must also go beyond book learning and academic knowledge of important karate names, dates, and places. I am called to inspire my students to think differently, to discover their own talents, and then to use those talents to engage and serve the world in a positive way.

For this reason, community service has become part of my dojo's DNA. My students conceive of, plan, and lead their own service projects to earn their karate belts. This project-based approach to rank testing provides my students with opportunities for personal development by building their leadership skills and confidence and by stretching their ability to organize and communicate. Any mistakes they make while testing in the supportive atmosphere of the dojo are part of the learning process.

The projects that my students choose connect their karate training to their world, their life, and the things that they consider important. Our collective portfolio of good deeds includes local park cleanups, fundraisers, food drives, housing builds, and benefit concerts. A few of our projects have been far-reaching: In 2007, we sent 1,000 origami cranes to Hiroshima, Japan, in the name of peace, and more recently, we helped with a translation project to benefit girls and women in Kenya and Nairobi. We are having a positive impact on the world!

Ten years after my overseas deployment, the service-oriented dojo that I envisioned has become a reality. The dojo has become a community that serves the community, and it provides a unique, structured environment — outside of the home, place of worship, and workplace — in which people can connect with one another, form new relationships, share ideas, and creatively express themselves. We engage in rigorous self-defense training several nights each week, but by and large, no one in the dojo is training for a real physical fight. Indeed, the dojo members form a group of warriors that is much different from the Marines I served with 10 years ago! But like the Marines, we are doing important work — and we are making a difference. And I truly believe that we are fulfilling the vision that the budo masters had for the martial arts.

It has become my mission to do something honorable with all of my accumulated martial arts knowledge and experience — something that goes beyond my function as a link in the chain of teachers and students and students who become teachers. The measure of whether or not I have been successful will have nothing to do with how good my side kick is or how many trophies sit in my dojo's window. If my students simply earn a reputation for powerfully serving the community, that will be enough.

Finding the Courage to Lay Low

2008-08-13T10:05:00.005-05:00

I, like many people this week, spent some time trying to make sense of the recent outbreak of violence between Georgia and Russia. While doing so, I pulled out a topographical map of the region to get a better feel of the area's geography, and I discovered that Georgia is a lowland country surrounded by mountains. Observing the mountainous area, and the relative sizes of the two nations in question, I was immediately reminded of the advice of the sage Lao Tzu:

A great country is like a lowland,
Toward which all streams flow.
It is the reservoir of all under heaven,
The feminine of the world.
The female overcomes the male with stillness,
By lowering herself through her quietness.

So if a great country lowers itself before a small one,
It wins friendship and trust.
And if a small country can lower itself before a great one,
It will win over that "great" country.
The one wins by stooping;
The other, by remaining low.
— Tao Te Ching, 61

In the news this morning, I receive the wave of reports of troop movements and bombings as well as all the posturing, fault finding, tough talk, accusations, and finger pointing among the leaders of Georgia and Russia. At the same time, the papers and news websites are closely examining the reactions of our own president and presidential candidates, labeling them as "milquetoast," "bellicose," and "measured."

I'm left to wonder, can Georgia, the small country, lower itself before Russia, the great one? Can Russia, the great country, find a way to do the same? I read "lowering" in Lao Tzu's passage to mean remaining still and observing situations with humility, awareness, and compassion. An image comes to mind of bending down to listen to the wisdom that's inherent in a blade of grass. And that requires silence. And discipline, too. And perhaps even a willingness to appear vulnerable.

Might these two nations — one great and one small — benefit by following the advice to lay low? Of course. And in our own personal conflicts, can we summon the will to resist the urge to attack or to counter? Can we find a way embrace the feminine, and win by stooping? I think so.

But that's a much harder thing to do than fighting, it seems.

Beware of the Dream Killers

2008-05-08T09:24:00.009-05:00

I recently sat down to catch up with a long time mentor and friend of mine, who asked about some of the things I've been working on. Particularly, he asked about my dojo, and about my plans to expand it by growing our membership and moving into a larger, more expensive training space.

My friend was sincerely curious; He has always given me sound advice. I rely on him because I know he's always got my best interests in mind. But during our conversation, I got the uncomfortable sense that he was hoping that I'd back off just a bit from my ambitious goals. He didn't say these words, but during our conversation I could hear, "Come on, man. Be reasonable. The risk is big, the payoff uncertain, and you've got your career and family to think about... Why don't you just play it safe?"

My dear friend, I hear you. Thank you for your genuine concerns.

My dear friend, I hear you. I promise that I won't do anything (too) rash. I'll develop reasonable plans and strategies as I move forward. I'll be careful, but I can't play it safe. I know there are no guarantees. But I also know that this is something I have to do. It's a calling. I don't expect you to understand.

Move forward I will. Becuase to not move forward would be to deny my own heart. To not move forward would crush my spirit. (Just imagine asking DaVinci not to create!)

My dear friend, I hear you. But I'm listening to my heart today, and not (entirely) to you. Today, I'm playing "all out."

So please, I ask, with all the love I can muster: Get behind me, or get out of the way.

If a picture is worth 1,000 words...

2008-05-01T12:31:00.004-05:00

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then how much is ACTION worth?

Out of the Dojo from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.

I believe that the martial arts have the power to transform us.

This particular video really resonates with me — it's from Mr. Tom Callos, my mentor and UBBT coach. Like Tom, I believe that the martial arts are more than just knife hand chops. (Don't they need to be?)

But, as I said in my last post, this is only true if we make it so through our words, thinking, and acting. The martial arts have the power to transform us, but only if we're actively — and constantly — looking for the "other" lessons in every class, every repetition, every kata, every bow, every injury, and every sparring match.

And I'll go even further here: if we don't FIND the powerful life lessons inherent in our martial arts training, then might we dare have the courage to CREATE new, original, and meaningful lessons and experiences by taking the essence of our martial arts training and applying it in our daily lives?

Wow, if we could do that, then we really would be "martial ARTISTS," wouldn't we? That's what I think Sensei Richard Kim meant when he talked about becoming an "Artist of Life."

This is becoming the focus of my martial arts training and — for whatever it may be worth — my martial arts teaching, too.

Some Day It Will All Be Over

2008-03-14T11:43:00.002-05:00

I do karate. I've been doing it for years and years. THANKS, MOM, for enrolling me in that first class back when I was six or seven.

But some day, it will all be over. I'll take off my gi and black belt for the last time, and collapse into the rocking chair on the porch — with a knowing smile on my face. Thinking back on my martial arts journey, perhaps flipping through an old photo album, I'll remember all the years of tough training, belt examinations, and tournaments. The long trips, triumphs, defeats, and injuries, too. Ahh, the good ol' days...

But more than any of that, I'll remember my friends — my teachers, dojo mates, and students — who took the journey with me, and helped me to grow.

The martial arts are more than just knife hand chops. Everybody knows that. But it's only "really" true if we make it so through our words, thinking, and acting. The martial arts have the power to transform us, but only if we're actively — and constantly — looking for the "other" lessons. I've come to realize that it doesn't really matter what you "do." It's about what you do WITH what you do that matters.

I do karate. Your particular vehicle could be yoga, or African dance, or music, or golf, NASCAR, basket weaving, or ... whatever. I've come to realize that in the end, it doesn't really matter what we're doing — if we seek deeper meaning, value, contribution, and transformation, we will eventually find it. So, where does "your thing" take you?

Today, I can't help but wonder, "What is my 'karate legacy' going to be?" While I've certainly thrown a lot of kicks and punches, the story doesn't end there. (Actually, the story only starts with the physical stuff... it loses its importance eventually!) Karate has connected me to community, to teamwork, to self-knowledge, to making a difference in the world and in people's lives.

I do karate. But, when I'm done with all of this... When I've thrown that last roundhouse kick… When I finally bow into the Big Dojo In The Sky... What will it all MEAN? Will people remember me for my kata performances, board breaking ability, or my side kick?

Geez, I really hope not.

Purpose, Goals, and Indomitable Spirit

2007-11-30T15:29:00.000-05:00

This blog entry is an excerpt from an essay I wrote a while back (2004), but it's worth another look! Enjoy!

Ask yourself: “Why am I learning karate?” Some people come to the dojo to learn self-defense. Others come to relieve stress, get in better shape, learn a new art form, or meet new people. What are your personal training goals? If you’re seeking improved fitness, increased confidence, and stronger mental discipline, karate training will develop all of these things! I’ve always said that karate is a journey of self-discovery. So, if karate is a journey — and if some of the benefits I’ve mentioned are the destinations — then what should you pack for the trip?

Indomitable spirit!

Sooner or later, you’re going to a few bumps in the road, and your karate training will bring you face-to-face with one or more of your personal limitations. (Perhaps it’s happened already!) The bumps in your personal karate journey may be the physical limits of your strength, endurance, flexibility, or coordination. A nagging injury may force you to slow down, modify your techniques, or skip a class or two. Your bumps may also be mental obstacles that become manifest as impatience at your lack of improvement, frustration at your inability to master a form, or even boredom from the seemingly endless repetition. The bumps that show up outside of the dojo (stress at work, strained personal relationships, laundry, and all the other things that make up our lives) may also prevent us from getting to the dojo to train for days or weeks.

In the course of your training, the bumps you encounter in the dojo and in life will frustrate you again and again. They may cause you to question why you started karate training (or piano lessons, or medical school) in the first place. If the bump is big enough, you might even be tempted to quit. (I’ve come close to quitting karate many times myself!) The key to getting past the bumps in your training is to train with indomitable spirit!

Indomitable spirit is a combination of inner strength and commitment. It’s what keeps the last-place marathon runner going until she crosses the finish line, long after the crowds have gone home. Indomitable spirit is confidence and a winning attitude. It’s what brought the New England Patriots down the field for the final score in their amazing come-from-behind Super Bowl victory. Indomitable spirit is infinite patience, perhaps best demonstrated by Mother Nature: It’s how the Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon!

It’s your enthusiasm and dedication that will take you all the way to Black Belt and beyond. If you never quit, you'll never fail! With indomitable sprit, we can press on when things get difficult for us. Keep in mind that our potential is always greater than our performance, and displaying indomitable spirit does not always mean trying harder or pushing yourself past exhaustion. There will be many disappointments on your journey, so relax, humbly trust in the process of your training, and draw on the energy of others whenever you’re tired or frustrated. And, be sure to give your energy and encouragement away when you sense that someone else could use a lift!

The moment that you really want to quit is exactly when you’re about to learn something new about yourself. Endeavor! Persevere! Grow and learn! Rest if you must, and respect your limits, but don’t ever give up on your goals!

Learning to Punch Like a Girl

2007-08-28T05:50:00.000-05:00

On any given night at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts in Boston’s Allston neighborhood, the adult students can be found in their crisp white karate uniforms, moving up and down the training floor. In summer's brutal heat and in winter's bitter cold, they punch the focus mitts and kick the padded shields with impressive force. Working in pairs, they throw each other to the ground. They yell a lot, too.

Seriousness fills the air as people strain and sweat. The students are disciplined, and they’re growing evermore capable and confident. They really push themselves. And they’re tough. Every once in a while, someone gets hurt. It's never anything severe — perhaps a bruise, a minor sprain, or a rougher-than-expected landing on the padded floor. It’s this element of real danger that keeps everyone focused and fully in the present. But things aren’t too serious: the heavy mood is broken frequently with smiles and laughter.

These are my students, and I’m proud of the progress they are making. On the surface, this looks exactly what you'd expect to see in any urban dojo (training hall) where traditional karate is taught and practiced. However, there's just one thing that jumps out at you while watching a class at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts:

Fully two-thirds of the members who train at this dojo are women.

This, by any standard, is unusual. Men — and all too often, the male ego that tends to come along for the ride — seem to dominate most karate schools. I asked my students why they thought things were different at our school, and what keeps them coming back.

"I think a lot of women start training in the martial arts for the self-defense aspect," Said Angela D., a Brown Belt at the dojo. Angela has been training for nearly four years. "But there is also a mental toughness that develops from studying karate — not giving up, trying one more time, nothing is impossible. There are still barriers and stereotypes for women to face in the real world, and I for one appreciate learning to be more assertive and determined."

"I see what the advanced students do, and I think, 'I want to do that,'" says Jen V. a Green Belt student. Jen has been training at the dojo for two and a half years. "The group of people in the dojo is really a big reason I keep coming back. Each and every person involved with the dojo is an interesting, well-rounded, fascinating individual. I consider myself lucky to be part of such a group, and I value it highly."

"I think I am more confident in certain areas of my life now," Jen continues. "I don't necessarily walk down any dark alleys, and I don't think I was fearful before, but my attitude is different now when I walk to my car in a parking lot."

"One of the aspects that I enjoy the most about the martial arts is that gender plays no role." Says Joe P., a male Brown Belt at the dojo. "If we're doing things the right way, we should not be using upper body strength to perform our moves. We're supposed to rely on proper technique, which can be as easily achieved by women as men."

"Working with women has changed my preconception of the art, as I always thought that only men were drawn to it." Joe says. "I don't really look at my dojo mates as men and women, but as fellow practitioners."

Outside the dojo, Angela is a graphic designer and mother of two. Jen is a librarian. But you’d never guess their real identities by watching the two of them work out on the dojo floor. (Joe, incidentally, works in real estate finance.) Everyone goes through the same training, regardless of gender, and the criteria for rank advancement are the same for men and women. While self-defense is a big part of what’s taught, our dojo focuses on building character and serving others in an environment of mutual respect. The men in the dojo don’t treat the women any differently — and the opposite is also true!

As for me, I’m really looking forward to the day when someone observes one of my male students and says, "Man, he sure hits like a girl." What a great compliment that will be!

In Defense of Karate (or any other martial art) as a "Fighting Art"

2007-07-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

One of my students came to me recently, concerned because she read a number of posts online that slammed karate for being "a less effective form of fighting/self-defense."

How crude.

Now, I'm trying REALLY hard not to sound like an elitist karate snob here (Okay, I admit it, I am an elitist karate snob!), but I must say that those who doubt karate's effectiveness as a fighting art have never "really" studied it — at least not in any depth. In the same breath though, I'll also willingly say that EVERY art has its strengths and weaknesses. As the saying goes, "there are no superior martial arts, only superior martial artists."

Although I've studied karate for a very long time, I think I'm "just now" starting to get the hang of it. And so I've also familiarized myself with other complimentary martial arts to help fill in some of the tactical gaps that karate doesn't cover very well. That's exactly what a martial artist SHOULD do, don't you think? The mixed martial arts craze that's sweeping the nation is proof that the weaknesses of those who specialize in a single martial art (be they grapplers or strikers) will eventually be exposed in the ring — usually in a very unflattering, embarrassing, and painful manner!

There are a lot of misconceptions about what karate is and what it isn't — I'll readily agree with anyone who says you CAN'T do a kata on someone, or that the "crane technique" from the Karate Kid WILL NOT WORK. (duh!) But, the "hidden" techniques that are taught as part of our karate training process (joint locks, eye strikes, throws, etc.) can be particularly effective "out there on the street" — if you've trained, and if you're actually willing to use them.

But, I digress... While developing fighting skill is certainly part of our training, I'm pretty sure that most of my students are not "primarily" interested in fighting. If they were, I suspect (I hope!) that they would have left our dojo a long, LONG time ago. In fact, there's a great place right down the street that I can recommend — especially for those who are into fighting, bruises, and broken teeth.

Here's what I would ask anyone interested in joining my dojo:

Why do you want to train in this Asian anachronism known as "karate"? Aside from learning how to break things and hurt people, what do you expect and want to learn while you are here? Are you willing to learn fighting spirit? Are you willing to develop indomitable will? And are you willing to apply these things outside of the dojo? What meaning will you find by putting on white pajamas a couple of times each week, yelling and running around in your bare feet? Are you willing to stare your own ego in the face? (Your ego, after all, is the opponent I really want you to defeat.)

We train hard and seriously at our dojo. We get cuts, and scrapes, and bumps, and bruises, too — no paper tigers, please! And if push ever came to shove, I'm confident that when properly applied, the techniques we learn and practice on the mat will work "out there on the street." So if you're interested in learning self-defense (and some art and culture and history along the way…), I can help with that.

But if you're only interested in fighting, I'll be forced to admit that I'm not really interested in teaching you… unless you're going to use what you learn at my dojo to fight (take a stand) against injustice, ignorance, crime, racism, poverty, or hunger, or to fight for peace, the environment, better education, reconciliation, or some other worthy cause or ideal.

You see, karate is the disguise I use to try to teach people how to become more confident, respectful, cognizant, engaged, responsible, fearless, contributing, caring, and enlightened global citizens. Instead of creating fighters, I hope I'm producing compassionate human beings through the culturally rich training methods of traditional karate. My students are developing as amazing and inspiring people. People who just so happen to know how to throw and land (and take) a decent punch!

Some closing thoughts —

Karate first teaches you how to FIGHT:
karate-jutsu (technique).
Then, Karate teaches you how to DIE:
karate = "empty hand" = letting go.
Ultimately, Karate teaches you how to LIVE:
karate-do (way, road, path)

If It Doesn't Cost You Your Life, It Isn't A Quest

2007-07-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

When I originally began this blog, part of my intent was to document my journey as a martial artist. While I've done some of that, what I've really been doing is sharing my thoughts along with my observations of life and events through a martial artist's lens. I've been enjoying the process of observing, thinking, writing, and sharing. It's fun! I'm going to keep posting, so I hope you'll keep reading!

But, as for my personal journey, my own growth and development, my actual training experiences, and my transformation... lately I've been feeling like I needed something more than a blog. I needed a push, an inspiration, a supreme challenge... Something to get me out of my rut.

I needed a test!

So call me crazy, but I've just signed up to participate in "The Ultimate Black Belt Test" — a grueling yearlong examination that consists of challenges that are designed to create physical, mental, emotional and spiritual breakthroughs. It's going to be quite an adventure!

You can read all about my Ultimate Black Belt Test here.

Follow me on my quest. Train with me, if you'd like. Encourage me. Keep me honest! Wish me luck!

The Price of a Beer in Boston

2007-06-22T14:59:00.000-05:00

Weapons are tools of bad omen,
By gentlemen not to be used;
But when it cannot be avoided,
They use them with calm and restraint.
Even in victory's hour
These tools are unlovely to see;
For those who admire them truly
Are men who in murder delight.

— From the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

As last call was sounded at the Six House bar in South Boston last Sunday morning, someone spilled a drink. A few moments later, 26-year-old Adam Rich paid for it with his life.

As reported in the news, Rich was stabbed to death during a confrontation that was apparently sparked by a spilled beer. A friend of Rich's was also stabbed three times during the assault. He survived, but Adam Rich's life is over. His family is devastated. The life of Rich's alleged attacker, 38-year-old Bernard Piscopo, is forever ruined, too: I'm sure he didn't head out to the bar that evening thinking, "I'm gonna kill a man tonight." But somehow, that's how things seem to have turned out. And now, he's facing murder charges. It's a shame.

For heaven's sake, when did beer get so expensive?

The lesson for martial artists — for all of us — is clear: knives are dangerous and deadly. It's best to never use them (as Lao Tzu advised), or face anyone who has one. I hope that my students are paying attention — especially my intermediate-level students, because I'm currently introducing them to knife attack techniques and defenses. Defensively, I teach my students how to move against a knife-wielding opponent, how to protect their vital areas, how to disarm someone wielding a blade, to be aware of one's surroundings, and — above all — to always, always, ALWAYS keep an eye on the knife. Offensively, I teach my students the various ways to grip a knife, along with knife strategies, tactics, and the vulnerable points for attack. We train with serious intent, but with rubber knives, padded floors, and a collaborative training environment, I sometimes wonder if I'm really getting through to them. Perhaps this incident will help to drive my point home. (Yes, pun intended.)

Do I have your attention now?

The reality is that knives are everywhere. I carry a pocket knife myself. It's convenient. I'm almost never without it. After all, you never know when you're going to need to slice open an envelope, open a stubborn package, or cut a piece of rope. And, being a folding knife with a single-edged blade that's under two-and-a-half inches in overall length, my knife is perfectly legal to carry. (For those of you who are interested, the Boston ordinance on the carrying of knives can be found here.)

In my classes, I cover the principles of using deadly force in self-defense situations. I stress to my students that they should get away from a dangerous situation if they can. I teach them that nothing they carry in their wallet is worth the risk of being stabbed or shot. And if my students should ever find themselves in a bar at closing time when someone spills a drink, I hope that cooler heads prevail.

Training in the martial arts is supposed to teach us more than just defensive skills — everyone knows this. As we train, we're also expected to learn about martial virtue. Respect, Compassion, and Discipline top the list of things that we study to help keep us balanced, calm, and under control. We are taught about the fragility of the human body in the hopes that we'll come to understand and appreciate the precious value of a human life. These are the lessons that we must carry outside the dojo walls. Everyone needs to learn these lessons, whether or not they train in the martial arts!

We teach peace and stress nonviolence in my dojo. I proudly walk this talk: lately, I've been studying mindfulness techniques and practicing nonviolent communication. I want my dojo to be known as a center building for life skills, a place for peace education. But still, if push ever came to shove, and if all other options were exhausted, I know that because of my martial arts training, I'm physically and mentally ready to use my knife to protect myself or my family. It's quite a paradox, really. I struggle with it all the time.

This week, a man's life has been exchanged for the cost of a draft beer, an apology, and a trip to the dry-cleaners. Earlier I asked, "When did beer get so expensive?" But the real question is this: "When did life get so cheap?"

What the World Needs Now

2007-04-20T04:35:00.000-05:00

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

— John Donne, Meditation 17, 1624

I won’t be teaching gun-takeaways in my next self-defense class, so please don’t ask me.

In the aftermath of the shootings at Virginia Tech, Cho Seung-Hui is being depicted as a “prototypical serial killer” — outcast, made fun of by his peers, a victim of years of constant jeers and insults. Now, Cho was clearly a very sick and disturbed individual. He was mentally ill. The last thing I want to do is oversimplify a tragic and enormously complex situation, or make light of the pain that the nation is feeling at this moment. But still, I can’t help but wonder what the cumulative effect of several years of hugs and encouragement (and yes, professional counseling and appropriate treatment) might have been in Cho’s life.

Have you listened to talk radio lately? Gun control advocates are stressing the need for increased firearm regulation, while their opponents suggest that if the other students in the Virginia Tech classroom were armed, they could have returned fire and stopped the assault. I don’t believe that more regulation would be effective, but we certainly don’t need more guns or a citizenry armed to the teeth, either. That’s not the world I want to live in. Definitely not the world I want my daughter to inherit. I believe that what we really need is more respect, more compassion, more tolerance, and more understanding. And making that happen will be much harder to do than getting any piece of legislation passed.

Many have expressed outrage that the media aired images and video of the “manifesto” that Cho mailed to NBC. The backlash against the media’s insensitivity is easy to understand, and yet, it seems tinged with hypocrisy: After all, we are the same society that glorifies “the Sopranos” (hey, that “r” is a gun!) and makes first-person shooter video games for our children to play. We live in a violent world, and we accept the violence as long as it is “pretend” or far enough away.

I see this in myself, too: It seems that on any given morning, I receive the news of a bombing that kills dozens half a world away, and I’m so indifferent, war weary, and numb that I barely pause to reflect before adding the cream to my coffee. It’s not in my back yard, so why not enjoy some java?

Well, as a newly aware global citizen, I see now that my back yard is bigger than I thought, and I’ve got some weeding to do.

Everyone seems to be looking for someone to blame, and yet no one is taking responsibility. Did the school system do enough? Did the healthcare system do enough? Where did the school administrators, mental health professionals, parents, and police go wrong? Would tougher or less restrictive gun laws have made a difference? Why didn’t people read the warning signs? And in his “manifesto,” Cho himself blamed everyone else for forcing his hand to kill. No personal responsibility there, either.

If nothing else, this week’s tragedy reminds us of our COLLECTIVE responsibility. It seems to me that our indifference and lack of compassion kills, too. The death of Cho Seung-Hui and his victims lies, in some part, with all of us. I don’t know what I could have done differently to prevent this tragedy, but I’m forced to ask myself, as a martial artist, what can I do to prevent this from happening again?

So no, I won’t be teaching gun-takeaways in my next self-defense class. I won’t be adding new firearm training requirements to my school’s Black Belt curriculum. Instead, I’ll be making peace education and training in nonviolent communication mandatory for my karate students. We’re all in this together. What are YOU going to do?

We Become What We Think About

2007-03-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

"Your days are your life in miniature. As you live your hours, so you create your years. As you live your days, so you create your life. What you do today is actually creating your future. The words you speak, the thoughts you think, the food you eat and the actions you take are defining your destiny — shaping who you are becoming and what your life will stand for. Small choices lead to giant consequences — over time. There's no such thing as an unimportant day."

— Robin Sharma, The Greatness Guide

I've been reading up on the Law of Attraction, and I came across a new website, book, and CD collection called "The Secret." The movie clip on the website seems to be a kind of hokey combination of "The DaVinci Code + The History Channel + Oprah." And yet, there's something to the concept that's worth investigating: We attract the things we focus on into our lives. Okay, I admit it: I downloaded and watched the 20-minute excerpt from the film from Google Video, and I've been listening to the CD collection in my car during my commute to an from work. It's not the first time I've come across this concept, but in this format, the message that our thoughts become things seems to be sinking in for me.

So now, more than ever, I'm watching my thoughts, consciously directing my intentions, and doing my best to focus my attention on the things I want — and not on what I don't want. I'm "acting as if" and visualizing my goals as complete or coming to pass effortlessly. I'm paying more attention to coincidences, and listening to my gut. This practice aligns with everything I know about meditation, visualization, and the power of positive thinking. Easy to talk about, difficult to do, but my attitude has improved tremendously in just the last few days. Hey, that's gotta be worth something!

And speaking of coincidences, just this week I was contacted "out of the blue" by a non-profit organization called Conscious Consuming. They're an organization that seeks to increase awareness of sustainable consumption, and encourages people to live in line with their values by better prioritizing time, money, and material things. Exactly the kinds of things I've been focusing on lately!

Interestingly, though, the woman who contacted me said she did so because she found that her organization's message really resonates with people in the yoga community. (She had found the link to the yoga studio that shares our dojo space.) Now, I have healthy respect and strong admiration for yoga, but why doesn’t this message also resonate in the martial arts community? The masters of the martial arts — Funakoshi, Kano, Ueshiba, and others — taught that beyond the practical and the obvious, that the true aim of the martial arts is the perfection of character, the betterment of society, the fulfillment of what is lacking.

The martial arts, like yoga, link the body, the mind, the breath, and the spirit. The martial arts, like yoga, preach respect, compassion, gratitude, and other positive values. The martial arts, like yoga, can be a powerful vehicle for self-expression and self-discovery. So if the budo — the martial ways — are truly a path to enlightenment, then martial artists need to start taking more enlightened, responsible, compassionate actions! Since we don't have another planet lying around, isn't environmentalism and sustainable consumption “the ultimate form of self-defense?”

It's A Whole New Ball Game

2007-02-01T20:17:00.000-05:00

Gandhi once said, "be the change you want to see in the world." So where to begin? As I look at making improvements in my life, I’ve put things into a few broad, intersecting categories:

1. Physical Fitness

I’d like to lose 5-10 pounds, and increase my strength and overall flexibility. To lose weight, I’m trying to burn more calories by intensifying my training, adding daily calisthenics, and lengthening my karate workouts. To get more flexible, I’ve been “studying” yoga – I say “studying” because I’m not taking formal classes with an instructor (who has time for that!?!). Instead, I’ve been reading yoga books and magazines (why isn’t there a Yoga Journal equivalent for the martial arts?), and working on various postures for 10-15 minutes in the morning or before bedtime – what a difference so far! With a 6-month old, there’s no time to go pump iron in a gym, so I’m working on increasing my strength by doing clubbell drills a few times a week. And okay, I also sneak into the “quiet room” at work every other day to do arm curls with the 25 lb. Dumbbell that’s strategically placed in there.

2. Conscious Consumption

I’m watching my diet, trying to eat a little bit healthier. At this point I’m raising my awareness more than anything else… I haven’t yet gotten around to truly cutting things out of my diet completely, but I did feel a small twinge of guilt after eating a fudge brownie last night. (OK, perhaps the “twinge” was actually the sugar rush kicking in!) I’m drinking less coffee and more green tea. I’m a long loooong way from a vegetarian diet, but I’m eating more raw veggies and increasingly seeing “organic” and “free range” on my food packaging. Seeking to become more informed about the social, economic, and environmental impact of my food choices, I’m reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

I’m also paying closer attention to what I focus on: beyond my diet, “conscious consumption” for me includes being more aware of the media, my choices of entertainment, my environment, my purchases, and the quality of my thoughts. I’m reading more and reducing the amount of TV that I watch – particularly violent TV (sigh… goodbye Law and Order!) – and I’m trying to be more aware of the impact that the daily news has on my attitude, mood and overall outlook on life. Haven’t kicked my Starbucks habit yet (even tough guys need a latte now and then), but I’m working on it. The money I save will probably put Ava through college!

3. Peace Education

At the strong suggestion of my mentor and coach Tom Callos I’m learning all I can about PEACE, nonviolent communication, and conflict resolution. In my opinion, these things form other side of the martial arts coin. As a former Marine, I’ve studied the strategy and tactics of ancient and modern warfare. As a martial artist, I’ve learned a whole lot about kicks and punches and chokes. But, by comparison, I know very little about non-physical de-escalation techniques, restoring or introducing calm to tense situations, and promoting creative alternatives to violence – these are the skills that are REALLY needed in today’s society. My teachers? Thich Nhat Hanh, Morihei Ueshiba, Deepak Chopra (yes, I said Deepak Chopra), Peace Pilgrim, Louise Diamond, and others. My online resources include The Peace Company, and I’ve even been visiting the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA once a month on my lunch breaks to spend some time there contemplating peace.

4. Community Service

Serving my community has become very important to me. Along with my wife and my neighbors, I’ve helped to establish award-winning Crime Watches in Mission Hill and Allston, and my dojo frequently engages in service activities. I’m hoping to inspire others to contribute to their communities. My students at the dojo are engaging in community service leadership projects to earn their Brown Belts – I’m very proud of them. Check out some of the good we’ve done together. I know there’s much more that we can do!

We’re all in this together. A goal of mine is to expand my personal definition of “community” until it includes the whole planet, all of its citizens, and our environment. To me, that means developing compassion and better communcation skills, learning more about and using “green” cleaning products, choosing organic foods, picking up litter in my neighborhood, recycling, and even purchasing a more fuel efficient car!

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m still pushing hard in the dojo, too, pursuing physical improvement, deeper understanding of and greater efficiency/proficiency in my chosen art. I still train with my sensei. I still want to kick higher, hit harder, move faster, learn new skills, defend the weak, fight for justice, defeat evil, and all that good stuff. The “warrior” in me is still very much alive. But I’m aiming to be an Artist of Life, not a cage fighter, and I’ve set the bar high for myself. Other areas I’m working on include improving my mindfulness and meditation practice, learning to express gratitude more, developing better time management and interpersonal skills, deepening family bonds, and improving all of the important relationships in my life – all while working full time to pay the bills.

No secluded, ascetic mountain meditation retreats for me, I guess. No, this is a new kind of personal development quest/non-trivial pursuit/juggling act/heroic mission. It's a whole new ball game.

New Year, New Beginnings

2007-01-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

So, it's that time of the year when we all start thinking about how to improve our lives. I have many goals that I'd like to see come to pass in the next 12 months, but I think I can sum it all up by saying that I'd like to become a more inspired, involved, socially conscious, informed, contributing, inspirational, compassionate, fully-functioning human being, community servant, and global citizen. In short, my goal is to transform my life into a work of art!

Sounds a whole lot better than "I resolve to be a better person", doesn't it?

I know that this journey will have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges... I'm looking forward to them all!

I run Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, a small karate school in Boston, and I want to challenge my students to be and do more than they think is possible. I expect them to train hard, play hard, and stretch themselves in entirely new ways by thinking in new ways, taking bold actions, and daring to grow in new directions. To do this, I need to set an example to follow. I don't promise that I'll always be a perfect role model, but I'll do my best!

And, I'm a new father of a beautiful baby girl named Ava, so I'm rapidly learning to be a better husband and father, too! BALANCE and PRIORITIES are quickly becoming the two most important words in my life!

Everyone warned me that being a parent would change my life forever... they were absolutely right! It's amazing how quickly an infant can disarm you and make you worry about things like nuclear proliferation, global warming, grafitti, and the potential negative effects of bio-engineered foods... As a martial artist, I see that I need to totally rewrite my personal definition of self-defense to include these new "threats" to my family, my environment, and me.

Let the adventure begin!