Written by Sensei Mitch on January 9, 2022
Meditation Point #135
A Zen Thing . Quotes“The nature and purpose of the Martial Way is universal. All selfish desires should be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training.” Mas Oyama
Written by Sensei Mitch on July 4, 2014
Independence Day 2014!
Events & Holidays . History . Politics . QuotesIn celebration of Today, the 4th or July, I thought I would share some quotes from the men who sacrificed so much that we could be a free and independent people. Between hot dogs and backyard games, we should all take a moment to reflect on the words and actions of these men everyday but
Written by Sensei Mitch on January 13, 2014
Afraid of what?
A Zen Thing . Awareness . Quotes . State of MindYou can do anything if you’re not afraid. – from the movie “Daredevil” (2003) Well almost anything. Let us remember this is a quote from a movie. And not a very good movie either starring Ben Affleck. Regardless the quote bares further contemplation. Everyone is afraid of something, unless they are insane. Some are afraid
Written by Sensei Mitch on August 7, 2013
Unity, Truth, and Goodness
A Zen Thing . Quotes . State of MindWhat do Unity, Truth, and Goodness have to do with the Martial Arts? That is perhaps hard for many to see, especially those new to the Martial Arts. Here is a quote to start the conversation with: Franciscan John Duns Scotus says that when the one, and the true, and the good are operating in
Written by Sensei Mitch on August 4, 2013
A Different Mindset
A Zen Thing . Quotes . State of Mind . Training notes“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” —Mark Twain In life we are told and taught to be prepared. Mark Twain’s quote states the obvious, no one knowingly gets up in front of a crowd to speak without preparing! We prepare for everything from presentation to disasters. But
Written by Sensei Mitch on February 25, 2013
The Eleven Proverbs of Mas Oyama
A Zen Thing . Quotes . State of MindThe Martial Way begins and ends with courtesy, therefore, be properly and genuinely courteous at all times. Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff – continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unfaltering devotion to the task at hand. Strive to seize the initiative in all things, all the time guarding against actions stemming
Written by Sensei Mitch on January 21, 2013
Meditation Point #133 – Good v Evil
A Zen Thing . Quotes . State of MindThe best way to fight evil is with small acts of kindness. — Gandlaf, The Hobbit The actual quote is “…what I have found it is the small everyday deeds or ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay.” but I like my version better. And it holds true more often then we may like
Written by Sensei Mitch on October 5, 2011
The Magnificent Exterior
A Zen Thing . Quotes . Religion . State of MindThe brothers praised a monk before Abba Anthony. When the monk came to see him, Anthony wanted to know how he would bear insults, and seeing that he could not bear them at all, he said to him, “You are like a village magnificently decorated on the outside, but destroyed from within by robbers.”— St.
Written by Sensei Mitch on July 16, 2011
Happy Thoughts
A Zen Thing . Awareness . Quotes . State of MindTo think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline – training – is about. James Clavell, in his novel “Shogun” I read
