Zombie Or Alive?

It was a slow death…. That’s impossible. One second you’re alive, the next you’re dead. Alive/dead; it’s as simple as that. You might be ill or in pain for a while; But death is instantaneous. Awake, asleep, you don’t notice. You only know you fell asleep when you awake. Anaesthetist puts the canula in your arm; “Goodnight” and you’re gone. You only know you were gone when you’re in recovery. So dying is not a problem, one second you’re alive and next you’re not. In meditation or everyday live you are aware and focused, And then the mind has wandered. … Continue reading Zombie Or Alive?

Grading At Shi Kon

I am often asked why we grade differently to many others in the Shi Kon Training System.  I have trained in the Martial Arts for over 40 years to very high standard by top International Masters and have graded thousands of people all over the World, hundreds through to Black Belt – and a Shi Kon grade is recognised Internationally to be of a good standard.  I don’t set the bar too high or low, it is exactly right and in keeping with any good club. First of all, the standards are very clear and the same for everyone. There … Continue reading Grading At Shi Kon

Heaven Or Hell

Is this heaven or hell? Are the people around you stupid and ignorant? Are they only out for themselves? Are they all cheats and liars? If so, you are in hell. Are the people around you patient and tolerant? Are they kind and supportive? Do you all work as a team in a positive way? Then you are in heaven. Like attracts like. Birds of a feather stick together. You determine whether you are in heaven or hell. It’s your choice. Continue reading Heaven Or Hell

A Door Inside

There is a door inside, in the deepest part of your heart. When you exit this world, it closes behind you. But it’s a door that can be used for refuge at anytime. Beyond it is a place of healing. Nourishment for the soul. A place where wisdom resides. A land of language without words. How do we find this door? There is only one way. Complete and utter stillness. Death within life. Thinking without words. When you are still and there is no words; Then the door will be felt. Once inside, you can heal; Understand what you were … Continue reading A Door Inside

I Only Wanted To Be Kwai Chang Caine…

Why I only ever wanted to be Kwai Chang Caine. I was a typical South London council house boy doing Karate until that first Sunday afternoon in 1973 at 3pm when I watched the first episode of Kung Fu that turned my life upside down. Here was a Martial Artist and Buddhist priest that had nothing and yet had everything. How can that be? Listening to the wisdom dispensed from the Buddha I realised that suffering came from ownership, if you owned nothing you had everything. Happiness was simply an internal habit and unhappiness came from wanting to possess, keep … Continue reading I Only Wanted To Be Kwai Chang Caine…

A Past Life….

I paused in the clear night air to savour the moments before death, I was lucky to know the time of the completion of this incarnation so I was properly prepared, the icy fingers of fate clawed inside my abdomen making me draw in the crisp air and centre myself. When my family had been slaughtered and I had been the only one to escape my fate had been sealed, I had trained day and night with Sensei to be able to complete my Karma the right way, tonight there was no win or lose…… only completion. Revenge powered my … Continue reading A Past Life….

The Path To Success

Taken from the notes of Chris Gunn as a reminder as to what was covered on the Seminar on the 19th May 2013.  I post this on the blog because it’s an excellent reminder to any of my students and anyone in the Martial Arts that there is a straight forward linear path to success with no vague concepts if you’re prepared to put in the work required. It was very kind of Chris to allow these notes to be published. Steve had ended up entitling the Seminar ‘The Path To Success’ to help us determine the right path to … Continue reading The Path To Success

What Is Reiki?

I’ve been asked quite a bit about Reiki Healing lately and as its world can be full of money making freaks and quite dangerous people I thought I’d talk briefly about it and how it works and what the dangers can be. Let me begin with the science.  Humans are tribal people and touch, empathy and affection from others is important to us.  When we’re hurt, the first thing we do is to put our hand to the wounded site and maybe rub or massage it.  When a child is hurt, we also do the same and ‘rub it better’, … Continue reading What Is Reiki?

Losing The Way…

Photo by Ann Rowe What does ‘culture’ do? A baby sits and stands true, They walk from the middle, The world plays with them; They are not separate from all around; They smile easily; Until they learn their name. Others tell them who they are, What they are like, What they should be like; School indoctrinates them as political slaves; Who they really are starts to fade, As a false identity is assumed. Who are you? I am my name, My job is, My car is, my hobbies are; I am confused. Who is he? His name is, His job … Continue reading Losing The Way…

10 Essential Points Of Martial Arts Leadership

‘Leadership’ is a much-maligned word in the Martial Arts these days; it tends to be over used, often by the wrong people in the wrong way. If you run a Club it’s essential that you fully understand the responsibility that you are undertaking. You primarily have a responsibility to yourself as the Leader of a Club and will be the pivotal figure that everyone is going to look up to. The Emotional Intelligence of the Leader will dictate how the rest of the Club will behave. If the Leader is disingenuous, a bully or financially greedy it will reflect negatively … Continue reading 10 Essential Points Of Martial Arts Leadership