There is nothing I can do... Oh, Really?!

Get stuck and people use that words.  "There is nothing I can do..."
I for one felt like that so many times... "My hands are tied... nothing can be done..really..."

Yet, staying patient without losing hope, something happens and I often managed my way out.
That, I think, is one of the most exciting moment of being a human - being alive, and feeling LIFE at the core.

Once, twice, three times, we experience such moment, it may become even addictive
- to challenge the unknown and breakthrough insurmountable problems of life

The subject may be work, hobby, relationship, spiritual pursuit...or anything from small to big
I believe that my training in Zen and meditation have helped me to not jump into conclusion but to go beyond

(Note to myself here: Of course, there is no end for our journey ...
- just make sure so that I/we do not become arrogant or complacent - ever
Yes, I have gone through that hardship as well.)

Perhaps working as a consultant to help make transformations for the organizations and people,
such positive attitude might have become my habit - nature's way.

Or, perhaps everyone knows that as each of us must have gone through a hardship of some kind
somehow, we manage... to see the sunrise, sunset, feel the fresh breeze...and smell of the flowers

Yes, I/we have experienced that there is always a way....
with calm quiet mind, and with patience, we can see things clearly...and find the way forward

So.... you do not say nothing can be done... totally no use to confirm the negative thoughts...
such is like confining ourselves into a box, and limiting our potential into the future - of unknown

Glass is not half empty..
It is half full...

Our past does not control our future,
and yes, we can control our life!!!

No matter what the situation is...we are the master of destiny...
small or big..this or that, it does no matter...

And fine, we may have a moment to eat bread with tears in our eyes...
we may fall into a despair because nothing seem to work...

But as you see trees never stop trying... after the storm, rain, or shortage of water...
without complaining, they do their best...

Let us not complain....never say that there is nothing I can do
There are infinite ways to move on - doing our best...

and if you do your best....from moment to moment...
leave the rest to the divine!

And promise to me...
that when we die...

we will have smile on our face...
as we have now at this moment---- OK?!

In the next post, I would like to share the words of masters from the book, Results from the Heart.
Who knows.... somewhere, sometime, and in some special occasion, these words of wisdom may speak to you...as if from nowhere...

Do you think so????

And if you do - with the spirit of going beyond the boundaries, doing the best...
I tend to think you are one of those lucky ones! (with smile on your face)

Then, whatever the outcome is,
I think you are truly my hero!

Good luck on your journey!

Kio

Hypnosis and Aikido - 1

Usually, I do not get a big "surprise" perhaps due to continuous practice of cultivating a calm and quiet mind.  But this one was an exception.

Few month ago, I read "My voice will go with you" by Milton Erickson - one of the most well known hypno therapists, and the founding president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis, I felt there was something very important in this book to understand human psyche.  As I read it, I felt as if I was tested by various Koans (puzzles used for Zen monks to attain Satori, or enlightenment).

Milton Erickson
(one of the most influential psychotherapists and hypnotherapists; 1901 – 1980)

Then, a few weeks ago, I started Aikido (as mentioned in previous post).  When I went to Dojo (practice hall) the first time, I immediately felt the strong connection of hypnosis and Aikido.  (...also Sex as mentioned in the previous post).  It was about having palms of hands together that no one else can separate them once the person is in the hypnotic state (or trance) - i.e., catalepsy.  In Aikido, very similar symptom happens, for example, when a person is well centered in his mind and body and extending Ki, or life energy, from the core.  Virtually, no one can penetrate, e.g., move him or lift him, or attack him.

The reason I sensed the connection between Aikido and Hypnosis came from years of practicing meditation and Tai-chi (Shibashi - 18 positions).  In a moment notice, I can easily feel Ki moving around in my body as if I am in that calm trance state.  By the way, the same is practiced in Tantric sex, Kundalini, Vipassana, Daoist sex, etc.  So, one thing in common to all of these is trance, intimacy, zone, or samadhi experience.  (This state is called "being conscious of unconscious" or "mind and body is one" in Zen.)

Now, back to my "surprise."  Sensing something about these connections but still unclear, I playfully Googled, "Hypnosis and Aikido."  Unexpectedly, I found there are about half a million search results which point that many people seem to be very aware of the connection.  Wow!!!  Amusing, and eye-opening!

Out of many interesting findings, I post a quote from a paper titled, "Ericksonian Hypnotherrapy, and Aikido" by Rod Windle and Michael Samkoin where they described the state of "centering" in Aikido as corresponding to the state of hypnotherapist doing the therapy.  (the list is partly modified to save space)

1. Physical relaxation with a balanced posture
2. Loose shoulders and absence of excess muscle tension
3. Loss of startle reflex
4. "Soft" eyes (simultaneous use of focus and peripheral vision)
5. Breathing by abdomen
6. Awareness of energies flowing in and out of the body
7. Perception of self and others non judgmentally and simultaneously
8. Increased ability to detect minimal psychological cues from others
9. Slowing or absence of internal dialogue
10. Spontaneously generated associations, ideas, or understandings of others

(from American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Vol 34, Number 4, April 1992)

The bottom line is that awareness and cultivation of Ki, life energy can unleash vast potential in us, and manifested as love, compassion, wisdom, healing, etc.  I am very convinced that getting this connection (centering, which is akin to primary relationship previously mentioned) can help us to live better, e.g., healthier, safer, and with more fun, playful, and lively life!!!  Yes, we can change ourselves as well as help others, and guide ourselves for betterment.

What do you think?  Or, a better question may be.... "How do you feel?" or "May you connect to IT?" --- If not, may we inquire within?  Then, experiment and discover by yourself.  Perhaps, a good start of our new hero's journey!?

*  Lastly, May I suggest here that those ten points above may correspond to the state of "no-self," a meditative state of samdhi where the connection to the "primary" (call it, true self, or heart) is made?

Sex, Meditation and Aikido

Sex is something most of us are familiar with (although I feel there is depth to be explored like anything else in life).  Aikido is new to me (although I connected from the very first encounter just recently).  Yet, since realizing there are so much in common between the two, and that I believe such realization came from my meditation experience, I want to share my views as shown below:

If you want to catch someone's attention, the quickest way may be to talk something about sex.  In the meantime, influenced by TV, instant message and texting, etc., more people seem to be for instant gratification.  Quick everything!!  Even for sex?!  Oh, no!!! I need at the least 1.5 hours!  (Have I caught your attention?)  But seriously, if you are familiar with Tantric and Daoist sex, you know what I mean.  When we are totally absorbed in the act, whether sex, meditation, or else, there are experiences of being in the zone, intimacy, samadhi, oneness, or whatever you may call it.  And..., I also see playfulness, ecstasy and liveliness there although at the end it is beyond any description of words.

As I see it, in that state is yhe creativity where different elements come together to create a new meaning.  This, I would like to call the experience of "the absolute affirmation of life."  Yet, if having sex is an ego-driven act, and not tied to intimacy (both within oneself and between the two), we may not experience the connection to the core of our life, the miracle of two melting together.  It is simple; intimacy can not come from ego.  So, this connection is about the "primary relationship," I mentioned in the previous post.

Now, Aikido is known as martial art originated from Japan by Morihei Ueshita (1883 – 1969).  It is translated as "the way of harmony with the spirit/energy of the universe.”  Literally, it means "the way of meeting of Ki, the life energy" (this may sounds far-fetched for some but do you sense the common ground between sex and Aikido?)  And I found Aikido is much more than a conventional view of Martial Art as I realized in the interview video with Philip Stearns, 25-year veteran and Sen-sei (teacher), whom I met on the hiking trail the other day, and videotaped him later in that afternoon.  If you are intuitive, you may find the connection between sex, meditation and Aikido without much difficulty (11 min.).




Here are selected quotes of Philip Stearns from this video:
"Aikido is about connecting to the heart"
"I am responsible to what is happening there as I can change myself which affects the outcome."
"There is intimacy with sensation that we experience in nature"


In this video, I also commented to my experience in meditation, quoting the Zen saying; "Melting of the boundaries, mind and body had fallen off."  It was as if having sex, or become one with the universe.  Resonated from this encounter with Philip, few days later, I joined Aikido club in Santa Monica, and more confirmation has been made with what I call here, the new hero's journey.


In essence, what is being confirmed is about all activities in life can be based on compassion for betterment, even to the enemies.  Gozo Shioda, one of the most prominent teachers in history of Aikido says, when he was asked, "What is your strongest skill in Aikido?"  He said, "The enemy who came to kill me becomes my friend!"

On the journey, our hero may look at the external as well as internal (mind/body/spirit) and find a good connection (path) such that there is a way for a good balance and harmony.  We want to be happy as well as those others surrounding us.  We are linked with each other like in a intricate web.  We are whole (if look internally) and at the same time part of the whole (if look externally) and there is exchange of Ki (life energy) among all.  We are all connected.  And we have this innate ability to feel that connection, and express what is to be expressed through sex, Aikido, meditation, or else in the most genuine manner.  This is the life's miracles; and we are the miracles ourselves.  We can feel it, we can cultivate it, and we can live our life accordingly, following the bliss.

In sex, and in any intimate relationship, the New DNA (mentioned previously) may be cultivated and it builds the entirely new potential and new found meaning in it.  Intimacy, and joy of sex is but a scene of the life energy finding ways to explore the new horizon - as we experience the same in meditaion, and Aikido, just to name a few.  May we, as new hero's, therefore, explore this wonder of life?!  My answer is; why not?  Properly done, I believe sex, aikido and all of our life's experience can teach us who we are and what we can do as we follow the bliss in our new hero's journey.