Something You Are

Always a good reminder: Kung fu is not something to do; it is something a person is. There should be no separation. When you (a student) misses a class without due reason, it is the same as not showing up for yourself — not just missing a class! It’s more than that! Show up for class;…

Imagination

“Imagination is what opens us up to the Universe — the plethora of possibilities. The intellect is like a container, holding trivia well organized as though it were important. Imagination isn’t contained, it isn’t bottled, there is no top nor bottom, nor end in sight: it is our creator within — our co-creator — the…

Train Martial Arts for Life

“The so-called ‘psychotically depressed’ person who tries to kill herself doesn’t do so out of quote ‘hopelessness’ or any abstract conviction that life’s assets and debits do not square. And surely not because death seems suddenly appealing. The person in whom Its invisible agony reaches a certain unendurable level will kill herself the same way…

Do It Again and Again

Oddly, I’ve had students, over the years, that quit training because of the repetitive qualities of learning martial arts. I experienced the same thing when teaching music. Now, either I’m boring, or they are! Seriously, this is the diminishing of our culture – the quick fix, instant grat- seeking folks who want a lot for…

Life so Short

“Life so short, the craft so long to learn.” (Hippocrates) As you age, this phrase may have more impact. It’s very difficult for younger folks to realize how precious life is and respect how rapid it passes. Time runs; perceptions change – growing more keenly focused on a “lifetime”, whatever that is or how long….

Image of Himself

“Man surrounds himself with the true image of himself. Every spirit builds itself a house and beyond its house a world, and beyond its world a heaven. Know then that the world exists for you. For you, the phenomenon is perfect. What we are, that only we can see. All that Adam had, all that…

The Road to Mastery

A Master is someone who recognizes his own imperfection – it isn’t perfection he is after; how would that be possible in such an imperfect world with flawed beings in its domination? People often strive to be perfect; others think they already are. In martial arts, we train to perfect ourselves. But, in the journey…

Annual Promotion Party – Dec. 14th!

Well folks and students! Tonight, Dec. 14th, 2013, is the biggest night of the year – and in this case, the biggest night in the history of our school’s promotion celebration! Several surprises! It’s going to be historic! Don’t be late. Don’t miss it! 5:30pm – 8:30 pm Golden Dragon Restaurant Broadway Chintown, Los Angeles…

Grandmaster Suh, Young-ik (1938-2013)

Tonight, October 30, 2013, Grandmaster Suh, my kung fu teacher and friend for over 40 years has died. His battle is over: his peace begins! Thank you all for your love and support. His passion will be carried onward: his art will not die. I have it safely in my hands and will not let…

Learn a Lot; Forget a Lot

“A second aspect of ‘forgetting’ was advanced some decades ago by the noted neurologist Julian Jaynes (1976), who outlined stages of cognitive learning in his speculative work on the evolution of subjective consciousness. In Chapter 1 ‘The Consciousness of Consciousness’ (pp. 21-47) Jaynes explains that as elementary steps of a learned process become unconscious (lost…