Training for your benefit, not your ego...

I was in one of Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim's martial arts class in which she was going over the philosophy of the art of Jung Suwon. Grandmaster asked us, are you training for you? are you really? Or are you just training to stroke your Ego?

I said to myself, of course I am here training for myself. Why else would I be here? But then she asked if I was here to please others opinions, or was I here to really focus on my own learning and advancement? Hmm...

Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim said to me, "when you have a large # of people in the class, do you train as hard as when there are only 3 people in the class? Are you performing for others around you to see? Are you training to get a good reputation among your peers? Is it your Ego you are trying to stroke, or are you really training for you? Are you really focused on your own weaknesses and trying to improve them? So often people are quick to criticize others... For example: Oh look at them.. they are doing that wrong. or they are doing that funny, but put that all aside, and how often do you self analyze yourself. Ask yourself truly, what should I be working on? Turn the focus from judging others, and point it towards yourself. Then you will really grow and excel..."

Hmm, I sat down and thought about it deeply. At first I didn't see it. My first reaction was to be argumentative. At first I thought this is ridiculous, but the more I thought about it, the truth was there. I did let others effect me. I let their opinions matter. I often criticized others, and I rarely turned this sharp eye on myself. So it was hard to hear the truth, but Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim was completely right. This was a big step in my training to excel and learn.

Thank you Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim for sharing your Jung Suwon teachings, and for the willingness to share the hard truths with me.

Be Disciplined, Meditate regularly, & get great benefits...

Working for a living. Teaching others. Trying to pay bills. Trying to help others. Trying to please others. Many of us live complicated lives. In our minds, in our emotions, and in our spirit we are very busy. Our minds becomes like a lake with big waves coming from all directions. Very choppy and mixed up. Usually we don't take the time to meditate and listen to our inner voices.

Learn to meditate and practice regularly. Learn in this busy world how to let all those waves settle out and see the calm peaceful lake of your mind. Let the water of your mind become like still pond water without even a ripple. If you can learn to reach this level you will benefit greatly. Your life and your decisions will become clearer day to day. Learn to meditate everyday, and wash your mind.

The excitement and adventure continues... If you continue to meditate regularly, and seek deeper, your ability to reach this calm state can open the doors to even greater areas of inner power and spiritual enlightenment. I was fortunate enough to learn this through the Self Discover program that Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim used to give at Jung SuWon.

July 4th Class

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim reminded her Jung SuWon students (while sitting around the campfire) to focus on gratitude. We had a great time celebrating America's birthday last night and today.

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim told us to be thankful that we live in the United States of America. It is not perfect, but it is still the best country in the whole world. Lets give thanks to God for all our blessings. Lets give thanks to all the troops and warriors that fought and sacrificed for our freedoms, and are still fighting today. Lets give thanks to our family and friends. Lets give thanks to all Americans. Lets put aside our differences and remember we are Americans first, and lets continue to work towards making this world a better place to live. May God bless you and protect you. God Bless America. Happy Birthday to all Americans.

Jung Su!

Don't Blame Others. Learn From Your Experiences.

The following is some very wise advice from Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim:
Often times students training at Jung SuWon Martial arts will complain, "that person kicked me", or "it was their fault, not mine".

For many people there is a natural tendency to blame others, and not take responsibility for their own actions. As an instructor, them to think differently, by asking some simple questions. Why did I get hit? Could I have moved out of the way? Could I have blocked better? If I trained more, could I have been better prepared? Was my attitude the best it could have been?

Help teach the students that they should re-direct that natural tendency to "blame others" into positive energy, towards self-examination and self-improvement. This will maximize the student's experience, help to motivate them more, and in the long run, this will make the "process" of training and learning a much more productive and enjoyable experience.

Remember, "enjoy the path". Learn to make your "path" more enjoyable, more productive, more educational, more motivational, and ultimately more deeply satisfying.
Jung Su!