(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) I wrote the other day that one of my teachers – someone I respect deeply, not just for his karate but for how he lives – once told me, “Carry the tradition into the future”. After more than fifty years of training, he said it was time for me…
Tag: Meditation
Look Again: It’s the Small Details That Matter. Awareness Doesn’t Clock Off.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) I’m going to start this article with a simple analogy. . You’re making decisions – judgements – based on what you see, hear, and feel. But what happens when you’re missing something? . How can your choices be sound if crucial information isn’t even on your radar? . So,…
Karate Solely as Meditation? Why That Worries Me.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I often wonder why people visit my Page, and feel the need to comment – when it seems they have no interest in the practical side of karate. . One particular comment stood out from a person that said he’s been training in Shotokan for nearly 30 years and…
Karate That Grabs: It’s Not For Show, It’s For Survival.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent article, I explored how some people view karate as a performance art. They often believe that the perfect execution of a kata is the ultimate goal – the pursuit of a flawless performance. . But why do they think this? And does it actually make sense?…
Through the Dojo Door: Stepping Into Change.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Change. Even the word makes some karateka open their mouths in horror, as if you’ve insulted their family or spat on their dojo floor. . People resist change because they believe they will lose something of value, or fear they will not be able to adapt to new ways….
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are.
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are. . No matter how things may seem, you always have a choice. Sometimes, the best choice is to let go and just move forward. . The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take that…
The Shattered Mirror: Reflecting on the Damage Hate Can Cause.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Further to my article on mental health, I want to address another important aspect that affects many both in and out of the martial arts – hate. . You encounter many different attitudes in the martial arts. Most are extremely positive, but some harbor intense hatred. While all of…
Fighting Inner Battles: The Martial Arts and the Mind. There’s No Magic Fix.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Many people believe that sport is played with the body and won with the mind. This being so, can the amount and intensity of training contribute just as much psychologically as physically? . Studies have shown that fitness training may help improve self-esteem, confidence, and body image. There are…
Stillness and Action: Finding Zen in Every Movement.
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) Zen. People think it’s some mystical concept, but really, it’s just about direct experience – seeing things as they are, without the clutter of unnecessary thought. . In the martial arts, that means decisive action. No hesitation. You train to build instinct, to trust your preparation. A fight doesn’t…
Walking with My Teachers – A Moment of Reflection.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I started my ‘journey’ in 1974 and now everything I do carries the lessons and experiences of the Sensei I have trained under. Their insights, wisdom, and guidance have shaped my understanding, and in many ways, they walk with me still. . Throughout life, we encounter mentors who leave…
Inner Peace, Outer Strength: Exploring Buddhist Principles for Martial Artists.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I thought I would write a little more about “Buddhism”. . I’m not a buddhist by any means, but I like to think I practice some of their principles. I’m not here to preach or to convert anyone; I just want to share with you some of the principles…
The Mindful Path: Living in the Moment, A Glimpse at Buddhism.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) I like to think that I follow some of the Buddhist principles. I’m not a Buddhist though, by any means. I make a lot of mistakes – probably more than would be tolerated within the principles they follow. But one idea that has always resonated with me is the…