Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Acts of Wisdom

Senior Grandmaster Choi's moogong-ryu system incorporates a list of "Words of Wisdom." This list is more like recipe for living life than just a group of nice words to think about. They have been a guide for my daily life over the past 15 years.

Mushim - Empty Your Mind

You must be present to win is often quoted. How are we present when our mind is elsewhere?
Living in the present is the only way to fully live life, yet we are so consumed by what is next and what we did yesterday that it rarely happens for the average person. There are two concepts that need to be accepted before the ego will let go of thought: Thoughts are energy and we are more than our thoughts.

Much of our modern living separates our mind and bodies activities. Right now I am writing this entry, about being present, but my mind is anything but present as it searches my memory for the right words. The best way to get into the present moment is through putting one's awareness into our bodies. One of the great benefits of exercise and particularly our martial art is how it does this. When we are "in our bodies," It is impossible to not be present.