Blog: Patience, The First Way of Becoming Great at Martial Arts
Patience: The First Way of Becoming Great at Martial Arts From Budo Secrets by John Stevens: An ardent young man petitioned a master swordsman to accept him as a disciple. “I’ll act as your servant and train ceaselessly. How long will
Blog: Martial Arts Philosophy, Kung Fu and Zen
Martial Arts Philosophy The legendary founder of Kung Fu is also the man credited with the invent of Zen (Ch’an) Buddhism. Bodhidharma was said to have traveled to China from India and began teaching the monks at Shaolin temple in the
Blog: Aikido Part 2
The instructor demonstrated an Aikido technique with very little explanation (none of which I understood), and we went to work. My first partner was also my favorite partner that I practiced with all week. He was an older man who
Blog: Aikido Part 1
When I left Michigan to come to open a martial arts school in Los Angeles five years ago, I knew I’d be busy. It might be a long time until I could travel for an extended period. So, I decided to
Martial Arts for Self-Defense
There are many wonderful reasons to practice martial arts. Learning self-defense, getting a great workout, learning mental and physical discipline, even doing something engaging and fun are all common things people tell me they are looking for when starting in
Blog: The Power of Choice Part 2
Choosing our Emotions Another one of my favorite sayings of Sifu Brown’s is Happiness is a choice. When some people hear this, they think to themselves, wait a minute—happiness is an emotion. So? We choose our emotions. In fact, we choose every
Blog: The Power of Choice Part 1
Choice A fundamental paradox in our experience of life is that of choice. First of all, does choice even exist? Though we all experience the ability to choose, true Free Will may be a myth. With the concept of causality, science
Blog 12: Enlightenment, Martial Arts and Death, Part 2
The Way of the Samurai: Die Daily The Way of the Samurai is found in death….If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in
Blog 12: Enlightenment, Martial Arts and Death, Part 1
Three Days More (from Zen Flesh, Zen Bones) Suiwo, the disciple of Hakuin, was a good teacher. During one summer seclusion period, a pupil came to him from a southern island of Japan. Suiwo gave him the problem: “Hear the sound
Blog 11: Martial Arts, Toothpaste, the Scientist and the Caveman, Part 2
The Scientist and the Caveman I first heard this idea from Sifu Donaue a few years ago and I loved it. In order to practice martial arts effectively and become great, you have to be part scientist and part caveman. Everybody
