Dim Mak for Anxiety & Depression

My life is going through a lot of transition lately. My wife took a new job 3 hours away in Madison, Wisconsin and my son and I are waiting to join her when school is out. We are facing the pressures of selling our house in a slower (but getting better) housing market, so we can purchase a home in the Madison area. I face the challenges of joining a private practice or starting my own. I also have lots of writing to do, not to mention a full time job and the stress of managing a lot of multiple competing demands.

So, some times my emotions swing back and forth through anxiety and some depression as life presents itself to me. I had a "aha" moment a few weeks ago after Master Tim Vocke and I began talking about Count Dante, the controversial '60's martial artist who proclaimed himself to be the most dangerous man alive...he claimed to be the master of Dim Mak...well, he isn't. ..I am now!!!

I discovered the Dim Mak, or Death Touch, for difficult emotions!

It's Gratitude.

Now, I've always known and have practiced gratitude and counted my blessings when times get tough, but when I realized it acts just like Dim Mak, I got excited.

Remember, Dim Mak, doesn't necessarily kill your opponent immediately (even tho it can), but mostly it has a bit of a delay to it. Gratitude does as well. While counting my blessings and being thankful, my mood doesn't shift right away to glorious hallelujahs, but slowly transfers the chi of blessings to kill the anxiety, the worry, the depressed mood. Over time, the uncomfortable emotions have been 'killed' and I am feeling better.

Practice more emotional Dim Mak...practice gratitude all day long. Gassho to all things in thankfulness for supporting your life. Your clothes, bed, sink, floor, doors, pots, coffeepot, driveway, garage,...everything supports your life. Give thanks...you are Dim Mak-ing negative forces entering your life...and it feels good!

Research Dim Mak and see how it works...practice Gratitude. You will soon see what I see. It's fun too...and then you will be the most dangerous wo/man on earth!

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

Cutting through delusion

The Samurai's sword, or Katana, is known for its razor sharp edge. With it, the Samurai were lethal warriors, able to cut through muscle and bone. The first inch or so of the blade is the most dangerous of the blade as it coming at you with the greatest momentum and reach.

The Katana is a slicing weapon....not a chopping weapon and would leave an enemy slashed open, usually at the wrist, forearms or elbows. Samurai fights did not last long. So, what does this have to do with cutting through delusion?

Your mind also has powerful weapons as sharp as Samurai's katana. (warning: advertisement...I cover this in my book: Black Belt Healing)....Without getting into too much detail, your mind-swords also have a sharp razor's edge. It is called Gratitude.

When you find yourself worried about the future or regretting the past it is time to pull out your mind-swords and start slicing with the cutting edge called Gratitude. Be thankful for where you are right now, right here, with whatever situation you are involved in. Gratitude, when swung properly, will slice and cut through the delusion of your small ego-driven self and help you see the splendor of what it 'is'. Reality as it is 'issing' will be open to you and transform your life.

Gratitude is the razor's edge of now as it is nowing...is as it issing. It cut's open and bleeds out the delusion of separateness and incompleteness. You will be able to see as if your blinders were cut away.

Give it try....be thankful for everything that is right now, whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable with it. Swing that sword...train its use...and watch this sword give you life. This is Budo, the Way of the Warrior.

Hands palm to palm,

Shinzen

I love toilets!

Last night during one of my somnambulisitc states, it occured to me what wonderful technology we have in toilets and indoor plumbing. Kids, today, growing up are growing up in a media world they take for granted. When I was a kid, black and white television was a marvel!

For my dad, indoor plumbing was a miracle. No more outhouses and carrying water into the house. It is even another miracle of heating your house with gas and simply turning up the thermostat rather than having no alternative other than wood or cow dung.

I used to heat with wood when I lived out in the country during my 'back-to-nature' stage of life. Lots of hard work and diligence is needed. I wouldn't change the experience as it does make me appreciate modern conveniences.

We should be appreciative of these convenience, these luxuries that were once hi tech in their day. When we grow up with them we take them for granted. Not having them makes you aware of how dependent and important they are in your life.

Did you ever have the hot water stop being hot mid-shower? When the water heater goes it can throw you for a loop. Indoor plumbing with heated water....Wow! What a concept. Once while I was living deep in the Minnesota woods in this little cabin the electricity went out. No electricity to even run my water pumps and it was mid-December. Cold and snow prevail in Minnesota at this time. I hauled in snow and filled my bath tub to melt on my wood stove to use for washing. Thank goodness I had wood heat and enough wood for the winter. It took about two weeks to get someone to come in and fix the electrical....too much snow and the utilities company didn't like my long driveway.

So, last night, snuggled in bed I was feeling very thankful for toilets, indoor plumbing, water heaters, gas heat and modern conveniences. It is important to be thankful and respectful to these insentient beings. They make our lives wonderful.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen