thoughts

Happy May....I have been teaching my grandson the importance of having a philosophy for life....he knows about the "Golden Rule"  He was not aware of the "Serenity Prayer"....I personally feel that these two concepts are a great foundation to have a nice life....So lets add another thought to ponder- just for fun!    We are as big as what interests us....we are as small as what bothers us.....and remember that no matter where you go....There YOU are!!!       Ciao   Sifu Mike

feeding our Garden

As spring fills the air-our thoughts and actions take us outside and for many of us we tend to our garden. Many of the eastern wise men use the garden as a metaphor for our body. If we would treat our body as a beautiful garden-then we would water/weed/have patience/nourish and treat it with TLC. I am amazed at times that one of the few things that we can control is what we put into our mouth! and yet we will feed it junk but not put garbage into our flower garden........Then there is the mind-That is also our garden and is of course the ruler of the body. Lets remember if we feed it negative news-fears of the press-computer and TV violence and constant gossip-it will have a negative affect on our SPIRIT. We are what we think-so be careful what we feed our brain-for our thoughts will become our actions-our actions will become our habits- our habits will become who we are ....So lets feed it faith and love and positive thoughts and compassion and good health and long life for all..Ciao Sifu Mike

Words of wisdom

Hello -Welcome to the year of the Goat-and are we not happy that the sun is out and that spring is near. I have a few thoughts to help us enjoy the change of the seasons and the hours of each day. First lets remember that if we are lucky and wake up-it is an opportunity to start anew. So what are we going to do with the first day of the rest of our lives??  Lets be to LARGE for worry--Lets be to NOBLE for anger--Lets be to STRONG for fear--and lets be to HAPPY to be troubled.(don't forget our I am so happy ball)    Remember that no matter where we go---There YOU are!!!         Ciao     Sifu Mike            

meditation

Hello to all my student/friends.. I am often asked what is meditation? how long should we meditate? and how should we do it? Good questions by people of all ages who are hearing about the peace and health benefits of meditation.    I think what is important is not how long but how often-Is 20minutes a day better then 5minutes four times a day??  I think what is important is to just get started and all the answers will come.  I think what is important is that we understand there are many paths to the top of the mountain.  There is no wrong way to meditate!!   If we just sit and breathe and smile-is that a meditation?   If we stand and watch the sunrise-is that a meditation?   If we do art or listen to music or play a game that requires our focus-is that a meditation??    If we do Taiji or dance or swim or walk or run-is that a meditation?   If we hold a child-or hug our love ones-is that not meditative?   The answer is YES......So my friends keep doing your hobbies-your Taiji form-your sitting and breathing-your listening to music and singing if you can.  And then every once in a while just Sit or Stand or lay down and observe your BREATH and your MIND in quiet solitude and see how you feel. Try it and you will like it and you will get answers to all your questions.  Sifu Mike