Being here now
Most anyone who has studied any art that requires focus, be it rock climbing or theatre or martial arts, has heard some version of the phrase "being here now." It may have been in the context of keeping your mind…
Trust Your Intuition
In practice and in basic self-defense, it's important to trust your intuition - about your surroundings, about your circumstances, about those you meet. When we are in a familiar place, we tend to not be quite so alert. We have…
Being fully present
We don't often think about being present, being fully present in this place at this time, now. Most of us are busy thinking about how to solve this or that problem at work, picking the kids up from wherever they…
Not Wanting
Buddhist teachings tell us that wanting is more of a problem than not having and 'not wanting' is the key to happiness. That is one of the most important points in learning to calm the heart. If you don't want what…
Basic Practice: November 30, 2019
The weather Saturday morning was perfect for this time of year in Florida. Sunny and cool with a slight breeze. Ducks on the water. Fisherman on the pier. We spent some time on different stepping methods and on the fundamentals…
Landing in Shanghai 1990
I don't remember landing in Shanghai so much as landing in Hong Kong. 1990. The airport in Hong Kong was not on it's own island. We came through a multitude of tall buildings, 20 stories or more - at least…
1999 Wudangshan
There are some stories no one else can tell. I need to tell them. 1999. Wudangshan. I had asked my teacher, Prof. Liu, if we could go to Wudangshan (The Wudang Mountains). In 1995, I had asked. That is another…
Self-Discipline Starts with Knowing
Self-Discipline starts with knowing who you are and what you can do. It's a very self-centered process. That notion - self-centered - has a negative connotation for many. Someone who is self-centered is seen as selfish and self-absorbed. The difference…
Remaining calm
Remaining calm is a central tenant of taiji practice. The effort is within. The outward appearance should always be relaxed and flowing. The inner work requires strength and concentration. 内固精神，外是安逸 Nei gu jing shen, wai shi an yi. Strengthen the…
To Do Nothing
To do nothing is far more difficult than to do something. Doing nothing requires the ability to embrace stillness, to be able to quiet the mind and calm the body -- even when there is the overwhelming urge to fight.…
Each in their own time
In what I call developmental learning, each person will grasp a piece of the puzzle in their own time. Developmental learning builds on whatever is being done. It's different than conceptual learning. In conceptual learning, once a person understands the…