When I was taking karate growing up, one of the things I loved about it was the translation of the word itself: the two characters mean “empty hand”. It helped me to understand that I didn’t have to hit someone over the head with a stick or cut someone with a knife. That idea was immensely … [Read more…]
In the past, I’ve said that when it comes to teachers, my personal preference is to have a very rigorous and strict one. I want someone who can be at the helm of my progress. I don’t want it to be any other way, because I know that in order to get to the next … [Read more…]
Yesterday my mentor told me that as part of her practice, at every meal she leaves something on her plate to share with her family. And she doesn’t leave food on her plate because they don’t have enough food…it’s because she works to think less of herself and more of others. Now that might be … [Read more…]
My teacher’s daughter told me the following story exactly like this, without exaggeration: When he was six years old, Mr. Vizzio sat on his instructor’s doorstep every single day for a year. But his instructor – the master – did not acknowledge him. Then at seven years old, Mr. Vizzio was allowed to get tea … [Read more…]