Martial arts is a wonderful, dynamic, health-engendering and useful activity of life. However, because of its potential for generating pain, suffering, even death, its power must be constrained. Normal people do not want to fight or hurt other people unless absolutely necessary. Self-defense is a God-given right to protect us from those who would do us harm but such a right must be used with wisdom and clear thinking, not just for martial artists but for the general populace as well.

The world has indeed turned insane. Saint Dariya of Bihar (17th/18th Century) SUN TZU WOULD NOT BE IMPRESSED … at all. In fact, he would be shocked that after 2500 years some world leaders are still in Kindergarten mode relative to their understanding of combat. They are blinder than the blindest bat. The first goal of combat is to win, always. There are no positives in defeat, especially if a country’s entire culture and way of life are in jeopardy of being annihilated.

It is tragic to witness what is happening in Ukraine. Regardless of the outcome, which we pray is positive for the Ukrainian people, i.e. keeping their independence and sovereignty, there are many lessons this needless and brutal attempted Russian takeover can teach us. Following are just a few. Reality This world is truly a cauldron of evil. Saint Mirabai (ca. 15th/16th centuries) How lovely would it be to think this world is a beautiful place?

Valentines Day, 14 February 2022, was a sweetheart moment in time for Shaw Shahriari, aka “Wind.” Why? Because he received his Kiado-Ryu Purple Belt ranking! So … a well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS to you, Wind! Shaw “Wind” Shahriari: Purple Belt Test—14 February 2022. Shaw loves kata. He’s very good and if there were open (all comers) karate tournaments today his precise form would have won him many championships at the Orange and Purple Belt levels.

From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master. Perfect Masters throughout time, in all of their addresses, state that in pursuit of truth Concentration Coalesces If you don’t concentrate, you’ll end up on your rear. Tai Babilonia To be able to concentrate for a considerable time is essential to difficult achievement. Bertrand Russell The stages of the Noble Path are: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Behavior, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master. Humility is the highest form of strength; Arrogance the highest form of weakness. As a silo sits vacant of fodder, A Black Belt Without Humility Is Like A Well Without Water. We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility. Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate, Literature 1913 To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.