Martial ArtsI loved martial arts. In fact when I had to choose between bodybuilding or figure sculpting to martial arts I chose “the way of intercepting the fist” (Bruce Lee). From Arnis to Brazilian Jiu-jit-su to Aikido.
I first met sensei Peter Koussoulis (Melbourne Yoshinkan – Ki centre) I was most intrigued by his humility and openness to the moment. He even allowed me to spar him several times of which I threw every move I could and was floored, subdued all too easily.
Martials arts is for self-defence and self-discipline. These days, through the understanding and study of yoga philosophies I understand that all is harmless. Yes all is harmless. Let me explain.
The universe is friendly. The robber who is out to get all your belongings is friendly and yes even the most wicked of evil men/spirits are friendly. How so? I am friendly to myself and it starts here within me.
No need to defend. If I get killed I get killed. No problem no worries. If I get scammed or robbed so be it – I wish the person all the happiness he can get from spending the money or the thrill of killing me. For a start you might not want to go to such extremes.
Selflessness is such a powerful concept. I wanted to know why the monks and the yogi masters have no fear and have no ego or self whatsoever and are altruistic in their approach to life.
Well, these people are already dead. When you are dead you have no fear of dying. It’s not all that gory as it sounds. First of all understanding death allows me to see through the illusion of death.
We die moment to moment. It’s a passing of stage. As old skin dies as time moves it’s all a mental phenomena. Time and space is created by the mind. So is death. Never born, never dies (Osho). Never lived. Yes life, living is only a play of words. All is a play of words taken into their various contexts. Language and verbiage is misleading. Only direct knowledge can be experienced and transmitted.
It isn’t until we have a different attitude towards death, demons, darkness in oneself, one’s own hell and habits that this understanding liberates us. It frees us from ourselves because there is no “self” – it is all impersonal.
The person who hurts feels the hurt more than the victim. The perpetrator hurts more always. He might not be in control of himself but sooner or later he will want to escape from who he is and end the endless vicious circle of desires and fears.
The way out is the way inward. To internalize all and transform oneself. To know no birth, no death, no fear and be as is from every present moment to every present moment. Here and now, act in appropriate response from the heart in kindness to all especially to yourself.
Melt all evil and negativity with kindness, positiveness and constructiveness. With a selfless and egoless being all things are possible for all things are done for the sake of the entire and not for the individual.
Why fight? Why compete? Why argue? Why ask why? Just live, breathe, relax, feel more in full awareness and watchfulness of yourself. Be the witness of yourself. Be the witness of this world or your mind, of your thoughts. Watch it all dissolve and see that when nothing is left – it starts, it begins with a selfless, desireless, motiveless intention.
Stop running away from yourself. Stop resisting yourself. Turn toward yourself and address every issue of hurt, fear or forgiveness needed gently and non-judgmentally. Without words, simply face and watch yourself dissolve to emptiness, void and then it begins anew, fresh. Only you are the being before you were born and before death.
Don’t try to understand it. Let the energy flow through you and retain for now only what is useful to you.
I see the divine in you and you in me. Namaste.
