Archive for August 2014
15 Reasons Not to Meditate : TKF 012
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 8:22 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Whether you choose to meditate or not, you are making progress.
As we discussed in Last Episode : Awakened by Crime : TKF 011, whether you prepare or not, you are preparing.
Acknowledgements:
- Thank you Stephen for your kind text
- Mike for the Asheboro Zoo possibilities
- Thanks Scott for helping me use Skype
15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Meditate / 21 Reasons Why
You Should
Dan Harris, @danbharris Nightline and Good Morning America. I found where he was being interviewed about his book by Mr. Sam Harris :
"It is Like Walking into a zoo"
In this Podcast:
- Real and current reasons not to meditate
- Compelling reasons why you should meditate
- Touch in the sciences
- Review article by Mr. Dan Harris, with his permission
Part 2 will build on the sciences and how to....
Meditation / Informed Decisions :)
This Podcast will have a PDF and Video portion after part 2
- You will be able to follow along
- Download and re-read later
- Honorable Mention, we reference during the podcast : TKF 004 Boots on the Ground Meditation
Resources
- Itunes Book / 10% Happier : How I Tamed the Voice in My Head - Dan Harris
-
Amazon
Book / 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head - Dan Harris
Credit
Thank you to Abbsy of whom we requested permission to use sketch.
"We Read Everything, Put Your comments here, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest or email, We share your thoughts here"
Stephen's Text / Friday, August 22, 2014 : "Good morning Sifu! I just discovered your podcast recently. I have been listening. You are doing an amazing job. I listen to many podcasts and yours is one of the best - and the best for me as far as content. I appreciate you taking the time to share with us in this way. Even though I am out of shape and practice, I would like to come in sometime if you have the time."
08/25/14 7:33 AM, James Joslin wrote from Linkedin: "We are glad you are around, Sifu. You have helped a lot of people."Edited on: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 5:51 PM
Posted in Mindfulness - Attention , Podcasts
Awakened by Crime : TKF 011
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 9:12 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Consider Realities over Stressors
Events Should Trigger Perspective
Acknowledgements:
- Thank you James for talking me through the statistics
- Mike for the Asheboro Zoo possibilities
- Contributors to the Content Development
Huge Thank You to Excel4Apps for inviting me as a guest speaker to their International Sales Force meeting.
We discussed how to apply Kung Fu principles to the continued success of an international company:
- Knowing Good Strategy is better than good technique
- Framework
- Being Successful while maintaining balance
-
Chain of Command
- Skill Level of the Mind is Superior to Skill Level of Technique
- How do many driven people work, as a single unit?
- Are You in sport, or battling for position in your market?
Being MindFul of Certain Realities
Thursday Night, 9:30 pm, awakened by my 11 year old son,
"Dad, Heavily armed robber in area. They robbed a gas station on the corner, and got away. They may try to hide here."
Get him comfortable, I put PowChoy in his room, and back to sleep.
I go through my list, like I have many times before:
- Points of Entry
- Weakness - Got two that I want to see sturdier
- Duct tape the deadbolt to buy me a few seconds
- Place bottle on gate for rattle
- On high alert - got things organized
- Pretty secure, got my own covered
- What about my neighbors? Are they on their own?
Next day, I go to Raleigh Police Department Website to find some
information about home protection. I didn't find what I was looking for,
but found a 'Contact' button, so I used it.
I wrote an email to Deputy
Chief Joseph Perry explaining the events and what I was looking for,
I also explained that I do our podcast and I would like to report
something helpful. This was at 1:30, Friday afternoon. I didn't what to
expect, but here is what I received.
At 6:30 pm Friday Night, Deputy Chief Perry wrote back. : Read the email.
As of Tuesday, I received another response from the Raleigh Police Department. Officer Lisa Keelin sent a king and encouraging email to put Kian at ease.
You can more of their information, some information is free at NC Crime Prevention : http://nccrimeprevention.com/Officer-Nominees.htm
Raleigh Police Dept. responses were incredibly comforting and quick.
These are realities:
Statistics from FBI database for Raleigh:
Most stats are presented as 1 out of 240. How many people are close to you that you would impacted hard if anything happened to them?
Lets say you are married, one child, one set of grandparents, include yourself, so that = 5 Family Circle
The numbers here are UNDER-estimates. Do you know how many assaults and rapes go Un-reported?
- Violent Crime : Murder, Rape, Robbery and Assault - 1 out of 241, Family Circle - 1 out of 80 -
- Propery Crime : Burgalry, Larcency, Motor Theft - 1 out of 32, Family Circle - 1 out of 6
- Check out the Crime Map for Raleigh for this date
Various Levels of concerns:
- Peaceful
- Stressful
- Threat
You may meditate on peace, harmony and calmness, but often neglect other
parts of reality.
Are you thoughtful of what else can come knocking?
Balance the Warrior and the Sage. You may get bogged down in the minutiae of daily lives:
- she didn't call me
- they are against me
- how will I finish this project
- etc,
I am Encouraging you to take a real few moments and be thoughtful as the Warrior : Be Prepared.
Resources
MindFul Meditation Fundamentals, Without Religion or Theory : http://www.tibetankungfu.net/mindful/
Next Week, Physiology of Meditation
"We Read Everything, Put Your comments here, Twitter, Facebook,Google+ Pinterest or email, We share your thoughts here"Edited on: Friday, June 26, 2015 7:09 PM
Posted in Podcasts
Summarize 1 thru 9 : TKF 10
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 5:13 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Why do a Summary?
Something that I look for on podcasts, but don't find often. A summary of recent activities or "wake" helps me generate perspective.
What have we done so far? How have We Done?
This type of review also reminds me of something I intended to do.. and ooops, I forgot.
My son and I spoke about his organizational skills. Then we pause a moment and assess how is current effort and techniques are working.
It is so easy to get caught up in our current frustrations, focused on current barriers, demands of our time, that we forget what we have worked through. Where we have made progress and we can see motion if we take time to look.
This applies to work, home, learning bagua, understanding a strategy, performing a technique, I encourage you to take a moment and assess.
So, to practice what I am encouraging.
Thank You Dawn for your recent kind Facebook comment,
"Wow! Another treasure! I am happy and so very grateful to know that the wisdom and lessons you are sharing, both in the podcasts and in the kwoon are a part of my evolution and growth. Thank you!"
Announcements
- Kats Yang 9 Tai Chi Course is doing great
- Knox is ready for Kung Fu Boot Camp
- "Learn Mindful Meditation Without Theories and Religion" Workshop already has signups :)
- Last Quarter of Workshops and Courses is coming
- It really helps us when you subscribe at Itunes, Stitcher or any of our Podcast providers (look on right menu -->). If you leave an honest review, that is even better.
Break out the Assessment Tools: Episodes 1 Thru 9
Episode 01 : Introduction to the Kwoon
- It began by addressing a few common questions that we received about training with us.
- Posted June 19, very popular download.
- Time where we reset ourselves. Got a new foundation
Episode 03 : Weaving KungFu Styles
- Benefits and challenges of weaving different styles through the course of years
- Examples of historical figures that started in one spot, then built to many, such as Bruce Lee
Behind the Scenes
- My ability to stay focused over long courses of time is part of my gift and curse
- Our little space by the KungFu Kitchen.
Episode 04 : Boots on the Ground
- My son joins me to do our Boots on the Ground Mind-Set Meditation
- We establish our priorities, so we don't have to make as many decisions.
- Life is simplier when you have priorities
Episode 05 : Mortar for the Bricks
- Training Your Mind to Overcome Difficult Situations
- If techniques and reactions are the Bricks, then your confidence and thought is the Mortar
- First YouTube PDF/Audio Version
Episode 06 : BaGua CornerStones
- Look at BaGua from a Historians Perspective
- It was a Meditation hundreds of years before it was a martial art
- The Monthly bagua fundamentals class 2nd Saturday of each month, 11 am went great.
- PDF Version
- Also on YouTube
Episode 07 : Find the Common Denominator
- Story of Ava, who is frustrated with being in the similar situation again and reflects on how she got there.
- She considers what she owns as being the only common link of several circumstances
- What am I supposed to be learning?
Three in a row on Kung Fu Internal Development (KFID)
- Translate to self development
- Carries over into handling fluid situations
- Students get your discount code for White Bamboo Store if you register online
Episode 08 : Building the KungFu Frame
- Bagua Workshop went great, next one in September 13, 11 am: www.tibetankungfu.net/bagua
- How fascia, the soft tissues work together to develop framework
Episode 09 : Cutting thru the Chaos : 4 Steps to Getting Thru the Fog
- Life gets cloudy and we sometimes lose direction
- How did old-timers navigate when they couldn't see, before the compass?
- How can you do exactly the same thing in your life?
Summary:
- My Comfort much better
- Still takes a lot of time to develop each show
- Concern about doing a good job
- Listen to lots of other shows for what to do and not to do's
- Need to Rely on our Shownotes (what are they?) Facebook, Twitter Google Pluse and website more for announcements
- I trying to keep up
Where are we going, in the next few Episodes?
- Kwoon is evolving
- Finding a "Root"
- Why PushHands
- New Questions
Bruce sent me this email: "I want to thank you for the introductory class. It was great! I've been practicing what I learned that day."Edited on: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 5:52 PM
Posted in Podcasts
Cut Thru the Chaos : TKF 009
Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2014 at 4:05 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Setting a New Course Requires a Calm Mind
Announcements
Thank You Lisa for the text, I am glad all is well in Wilmington and we will see you soon :)
I really appreciate our new listeners on iTunes and Stitcher. Zune also has picked up the Podcast
Events Upcoming
Yang Tai Chi 4 Week Course start August 6, 2014 Wednesdays, that course is almost filled
8 Week Kung Fu Bootcamp on Monday August 18, 2014 7-8 pm. Looks like there will be plenty of sweat on monday nights :)
90 minute Mindful Meditation Basics Workshop is now on the schedule.
In this Podcast of Tibetan Kung Fu: Cut Thru the Chaos | TKF 009
Getting through the Fog of Chaos in 4 steps is a Podcast that resonated with me as a Maritime Meditation long ago.
In this narrative, I walk you through the facts and skills of how SeaMen navigated the sea’s before 1100 AD. The magnet compass was created in 206 BC, but not implemented into sea navigation until 1107 AD.
There are 4 steps that I share with you:
- How to Recognize your situation
- How to collect yourself
- Orientate yourself even though you can’t see through your senses and experience
- Choose a new direction
KungFu was trained upon ship decks, particularly in Southern China.
With visibility less than 100 yards, knowing how to survive when you were lost at sea wasn’t just theory.
You will learn which questions to ask immediately and others to avoid asking until later. Also I will share with you what real illusions that you must be aware of when you get lost in a fog at sea.
For my students, I take you through the Maritime Meditation, which is about a half hour to walk you through step by step, liven your senses and teaches you how to Captain your own ship.
I would like to hear from you, Send me an email or post. If you use the lesson to change your situation, let me know about it. Sharing helps others as well. I really appreciate you sharing your review on iTunes or Stitcher.
"Practice KungFu to be a Better Person First, A Better Martial Artist
Second."
Thank You,
Sifu TW Smith
-
12:05 Minute Audio
Visual Formats too :)
RESOURCES
During this episode I reference the Maritime Meditation. This is approximately half-hour story meditation that walks you through the steps, plus much more. If you are interested in personally learning this meditation then a:
- Hour Private Lesson with 30 minutes of Chikung then Maritime Meditation or
- Half-Hour Private Lesson with Meditation only are available at our White Bamboo Store
- Facetime / Skyp Private Meditation is also being worked out
*** Original Artwork Printed with requested artist permission - Sketches: Lighthouse From Linda T. Sketchclub and Bailey336 Spring (Butterfly) PDF version, ***
Let us know what you think by posting on the Facebook comments below, or ping us on Twitter (@Tibetankungfu) to let us know what you think.
What have a few folks said?
Dawn Randolph at Facebook : Thank you! This is just what I needed today. It helps tremendously to have such simple, direct, and insightful steps to guide me. I am grateful to you for sharing. Enjoy the day.
Dave received the link to Audio from his Bagua Workshop, here what he had to say,Edited on: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 5:57 PM
"Sifu, thanks! Neat to revisit the class and hear some of the key stuff again. Helps this old dog learn the new tricks. Send more anytime!"
Posted in Mindfulness - Attention , Podcasts