Tag: philosophy

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Taking Or Giving?

Steve Rowe

Taking Or Giving? Not being a liability on others, Means you always pay your bills, Living within your means, And not spending like a fool. Modern society tries to make you a slave, The media want you to spend, To buy things you don’t need, And to owe your life to them. You have things that work and serviceable, Yet you always want more or new, Because you are hypnotised by others, Who want to own your soul. Taking responsibility for your purse, Is a part of taking responsibility for your self, Taking possession of your time, And preventing your … Continue reading Taking Or Giving?

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The Meaning Of Life

Steve Rowe

“So…. what’s the meaning of life Sensei?”  We had all just sat down for a short break in between classes. “What do you think it is?”  The question had really been rhetorical and the questioner hadn’t really expected an answer – or the question to be answered with a question. “He’d be happy with a nymphomaniac that owned a pub!”  chimed in a helpful friend and fellow student…. “With a friend!”  helped another…. “So you think happiness is the meaning of life?” “Yeah!” they all chorused…  “As long as you’re happy, that’s the main thing…” “But surely, the nature of … Continue reading The Meaning Of Life

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It’s Not What You Do

Steve Rowe

It’s Not What You Do Oh no!  Sensei was singing…. He’s good at Martial Arts, but singing….  Forget it!  Why do people always want to do what they’re no good at?  The students were wincing as he sang outrageously out of tune… “It’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it, it’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it….  It’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it…. And that’s how you get things done….. You can try hard… don’t mean a thing…. Take it easy… then your chimes will … Continue reading It’s Not What You Do

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Positive Visualisation In Kata

Steve Rowe

Positive Visualisation In Kata “Sit down.” We all sat down against the wall and looked expectantly at Sensei. Frank…”  Frank leapt to his feet and stood in the centre of the hall facing the students in a ready stance. “Kushanku.” Frank moved to attention stance, bowed to a 45 degree angle moved his feet apart and placed his left hand over his right, ring finger to ring finger before making a circle with his arms in front of him.  He then proceeded to move through the Kata making each movement as powerful as possible breathing out heavily with the application … Continue reading Positive Visualisation In Kata

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3 Essentials To Enlightenment

Steve Rowe

3 Essentials To Enlightenment If you want to be enlightened, And that doesn’t mean in the hippie sense, But to unburden yourself from too much suffering, There are 3 essentials that will help. The first is knowledge, To become the one that knows, Some people get this through experience and study, And some just never do. Knowledge gives a broad perspective, It helps you follow the right path, Books, learning and listening give knowledge, Intelligent use of them makes you grow. Study, meditation and experience, Are three keys to learning, The way of the true warrior, Is the pen, stillness … Continue reading 3 Essentials To Enlightenment

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You’ll Have To Kill Me…

Steve Rowe

You’ll Have To Kill Me… The only way you’ll stop me is to kill me. I don’t give up. If I gave up I might just as well be dead. Because life will have no value for me. This makes me pick my battles carefully, I won’t pick a fight just because I’m angry, Or disappointed, or any other shallow reason, Every challenge is one that I am prepared to dedicate my life to. There is only win or die, Nothing in between, Every thought, movement and technique has this dedication, Not desperate, but resolute and determined. Starting on the … Continue reading You’ll Have To Kill Me…

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I Don’t Do Nice

Steve Rowe

I Don’t Do Nice “Cover up guys and sit down….” Despite the efficient warm down, everyone ‘squelched’ as they sat. When you’ve had a really hard work out and everyone is drenched in sweat, every bit of clothing, underwear and skin is soaked.  Even using covering track gear and towels, you can see the steam rising from everyone’s head and shoulders. When they get up, they leave wet bum prints – almost like ‘rear end personal fingerprints’ on the floor. We’d had a ‘classic’ session, starting with standing basics, working on the skills of making a proper fist, use of … Continue reading I Don’t Do Nice

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The Beast That Lurks Within

Steve Rowe

The Beast That Lurks Within What darkness lurks within the depths of man…….. Rip away the social face, Tear off the generations of social conditioning, And what do you find? The slavering beast that lurks within………. See the momentary glint in the eye as a pretty girl walks by, The violent lurch within the breast as the car cuts in front, The first tendency toward total immorality as a fistful of money is offered…… See the mob violence take over with little incitement….. Crazed soldiers committing rape and genocide in the name of their culture, Jealousy and hate in the … Continue reading The Beast That Lurks Within

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Diversity and Compassion…

Steve Rowe

Diversity and Compassion… I was brought up in the streets of South London, Worked in the Fire Brigade and security teams, Also on road laying gangs, And then in the Martial Arts. Always with groups of men, We ridiculed everyone, including ourselves, If we didn’t like someone, We hit them. Do you want a slap? Give him a dig, Don’t like him, Knock him out. That was our reaction to everything, Like children spitting their dummies, Losing intelligence and getting angry, Then just wanting to hurt someone. It was natural to insult everyone, Different colour, different size, Different gender or … Continue reading Diversity and Compassion…

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It’s Yesterday No More

Steve Rowe

It’s Yesterday No More What you think you were yesterday, You weren’t. What you think you are today, You’re not. Memories are false, They’re what you want to make them. If you’re troubled, You think they’re bad. If you’re happy, You think they were good, But everyone there will see them different, Just like witnesses at a crime scene. What you were and what you are now is not true, It’s just your opinion, What you did or didn’t do, Is being judged by someone who is biased. Biased by culture, plagued by guilt, Sometimes hurt that is hidden, Festering … Continue reading It’s Yesterday No More