WU WEI: THE ART OF LIVING IN THE ZONE

Wu means non. Wei means action, or more precisely execute, doing, engagement, striving, and busyness. It doesn't imply or mean doing nothing, but letting your mind alone, trusting it to work by itself trusting in life's flow.

It is a kind of effortless action, like when an athlete is in the zone. Being in harmony with nature, both natural and human, having the feeling of always meaningfully engaging in life.  It is the art of effortless living.

There are plausible connections between modern science and ancient wisdom.  There is a dualism in life.  Neurological studies have shown that the brain is divided into two parts.  The left hemisphere  specializes in analytic thought, logic, language, reasoning, science, math, written and numbers skills and Right - hand control.  The right hemisphere specializes in Art awareness, creativity, imagination, intuition, insight, holistic thought, music awareness, 3-D forms and Left-hand control.

The wisest way to orient yourself in the world is to find the balance of these cognitive operations, between the known and the unknown.



Describing Wu Wei is difficult.  It is akin to describing a new color. Somethings can't be understood intellectually.  They must be grasped intuitively.

There is a profound unavoidable mystery in our very existence.  Giving up trying to control life enables one to master life. Amorfati - embrace your fate.  You've been dealt the cards, now enjoy the game.

Doing things in accordance with the grain, doesn't mean you don't cut wood at all.  It means that you cut wood along the lines where the wood is most easily cut.

Don't force anything.  Act in accord with the pattern of things as they exist. Without a proper understanding of the subject, it is better not to act at all.   An example of this is when Mao Tse-tung was confronted with the problem of birds eating chinese farmers crops, reducing the output of production;  his solution was to send the army into the infected areas and shoot all the birds.  This created a much larger problem because the birds ate the insects and when left unchecked, the insects destroyed all of the crops causing a great famine.

Chairman Mao

Float downstream instead of struggling upstream.  Eliminate all your psychic obstructions.  A master's performance in any art should  appear as if it was conducted effortlessly in a near  unconscious state.

Albert Einstein, said that he had come up with his finest insights in physics while smoking his pipe and going into a trance like state. 

Albert Einstein

Be true to your original nature.  Sometimes it is best to follow your instincts, they are gifts from your subconscious that can help you steer away from life's dangerous currants.

Sometimes the best way to explain what something is, is to describe that thing once it is lost. This is best illustrated through a poetic statement Ernest Hemingway made about F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Hemingway referred to the period of time in Fitzgerald's life where he was unable to recreate the elegance of his earlier masterpieces like the Great Gatsby.  "His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred.  Later, he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly anymore because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless".

Hemingway

F. Scott Fitzgerald

About the Author:  Judd Bank is the president of CPI Investigations,

 a multi dimensional private investigation firm with offices in 

Manhattan and Paramus, NJ.

Website:  http://www.privatedetectiveny.com 

HOW TO LIVE A TRANQUIL LIFE

Memento Mori - Remember thou art mortal.

Pondering one's own death can be quite beneficial, it enables us to treasure our lives.  Death is as natural as birth, but we don't want to think about our mortality. Accepting that we only have a certain amount of days left to live reminds us that we must make the most out of each day and we become more likely to make better decisions.  How many more full moons will you get to see?  Be courageous when you confront the face of death.  Your life perspective shapes your reality.  Happiness is a choice.  "Every man has two lives, and the second one starts when he realizes he only has one." (Confucius) 


DESPAIR

In life we often experience despair, hopelessness, depression and anxiety. These emotions  prevents us from being the best version of ourselves.  Always remember, that although life is full of catastrophes, tragedies, and malevolence, there is something about the human spirit that allows us to survive and transcend ourselves so that we may lead a noble life.  These experiences are only temporary and a challenge to test your mettle. We must think of despair as a learning experience and  thereby triumph over hopelessness. Gambatte (keep going).

"You can learn more from a teardrop than from a telescope." - Bruce Lee 

HOPE

Hope conquers despair.  Picture yourself driving on a treacherous mountain road in foul stormy weather.
The road is winding and slippery.  You have a choice regarding what perspective you will take.  You could concentrate on the thought that you are going to skid off the road and drop to your painful death.  On the other hand, you can hope that everything will be ok, and have faith in the fact that if you slow down and drive carefully you will get home in safely.
Amor Fati (Embrace your fate)

MEDITATION

The practice of meditation can create remarkable changes in your life.  It can improve your level of awareness, increase your level of attention, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, and lessen cognitive decline. There are many methods of meditation just as there are many different styles of music, dance and art.

Here are three that I practice:


ZEN:

This meditation technique is based upon trying to quiet what Buddhists call your "monkey mind" or "wandering mind"  It's usually done sitting in a comfortable position while concentrating on your breathing.  You observe your thoughts bu you don't linger on them.  You are seeking to understand your true nature.  Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself leads to the path to enlightenment.

TAOIST MEDITATION:

 Taoist meditation is a type of moving meditation such as Tai Chi or Chi Kung.  It's purpose is to become one with nature and the flow of the universe.  The Taoist practitioner attempts to obtain a state of Wu Wei, a spontaneous effortless action in which the practitioner flows through life like an athlete always in the zone.

WESTERN STOIC MEDITATION:
  This type of meditation is advocated by the Stoic Philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius.  Marcus Aurelius was an emperor of Rome who could have had  anything in life, but instead chose a virtuous manner of living.  The Stoic practitioner reflects upon his actions at the end of each and every day.    He asks himself  "Did I accomplish everything I set out to do that day?"  If something went wrong, what can I do to mend it and how can I learn from the mistakes I might have made that day?".  He asks himself "What can I do to improve tomorrow in order to move onward and upward?"  If he has accomplished all he could that day, then it is time to go home, relax, rest and have a peaceful night's sleep.  He does not ponder on things that are not in his control..

FRIENDSHIP

Nothing gives a person more pleasure than the bonds forged between good true friends.  Their presence soothes our minds, reduces our anxiety and their opinions help shape our decisions adding joy and comfort to our lives.  Their encouragement keeps us going even through our darkest times.
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY.


About the Author:

Judd Bank
CEO of CPI Investigations, NY and a life long Martial Artist.
Website: http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

BEWARE OF THE SOCIOPATHS AMONG US

One out of every 25 people is a sociopath or exhibits extreme narcissistic behavior according to researchers today.

While mapping out the brain, a group of neuroscientists in stamford, discovered that the area in which we feel pain, overlaps the area in which we feel empathy.  Sociopaths do not make this connection.  They are self absorbed and don't feel the pain of others.

The problem is that sociopaths are all around us, but don't stand out in obvious ways and may be difficult to detect.

In this article, I will concentrate on Sociopathic behavior in the workplace and in our personal relationships.  The trouble is that sociopathic behavior is often rewarded in the workplace.  Sociopaths can be quite charismatic.  In our relationships, the people we care about are the ones we give the power to manipulate us the most.

If the sociopath has a position of power over you, he or she would act a bully.  If your co-worker or loved one's friend is a sociopath, he or she would act as a snake sabotaging you at any opportunity they get.

Sociopaths know the price of everything and the value of nothing. They will lie to your face with no hint of remorse.  They do not want you to succeed and won't support you for fear of who you may become.  They are completely self centered and absorbed. They sometimes act like hyper-aggressive two year olds.  They are master manipulators.

Being subject to the remorseless list and evil manipulations of someone who has decided to mess with your life would be both terrifying and demoralizing.

"if you hate a person you hate something in them that is a part of yourself.  What isn't a part of yourself does'nt disturb us." - Hermann Hesse 


WHY DO WE LET THEM TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US?

Sociopaths have a keen ability to sense our weaknesses.  They attack what Japanese Budo practitioners call Kosshi Points (vulnerable targets).  They attack our fears, insecurities and lack of confidence.


HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SOCIOPATHIC PEOPLE?

First, get your mind, spirit and body in the right place.  Begin by getting in touch with what Carl Gustave Jung called your shadow side, the darker regions of your subconscious.  This step is important, enables us to resist being exploited and gives us the strength to withstand tragedy and malevolence in order to fight back.  Learn to become a dangerous person.

Next study yourself, what make you unique?  Where do your values come from?  Why do you do things the way you do?  Develop your self confidence and self esteem in order to confront you fears.
Pay attention to your talents, achievements and advantages.
.

Set goals for yourself, start with small ones first, and then build upon your success.  Achieving your goals would be your ticket out of your undesirable situation.  Treat your conversations with a sociopath like a battlefield.  Your words and your ideas are your weapons.




Pick your battles. "You will never reach your destination, if you stop and throw rocks at every dog that barks". - Winston Churchill. 

If you have observed these traits in an individual and believe that person is a sociopath, beware of having an emotional response during your confrontation with them. A sociopath will take them as weaknesses and try to use them against you. Sometimes its best not to meet a hostile force head on, instead roll with the punches until you find the opportunity to strike.

When confronting a sociopath assume a relaxed posture, breath naturally, and be sure to take a moment before you answer them in order to compose yourself and contemplate your best response.  Stay alert and try not to be intimidated.

  As George Harrison once sang "beware of darkness" 

bout the Author:  
Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

ENDURING LIFE

I believe that all bad fortune can be conquered through endurance, courage and hope.

In life we can't control what's happening but we can strive to control the way we respond to what's happening.  Nothing, except our thoughts, is totally in our control.  We can create our misery or joy independent of our surroundings.

Certain aspects of the future are out of our control.  Concern yourself with what is in your control.


LEARNING FROM ZEN ARCHERY

A Zen Archer will practice proper breathing, good form and concentration.  He can buy the finest bows and the most exquisite arrows.  These things are in his control, Once he releases his arrow, he must let it fly.  At this point many outside variables can influence the outcome.   Wind, terrain, the weather; these things can effect the arrow's flight. Since the Archer cannot completely adjust for all these variables before he shoots his arrow, they are not in his control.  He should embrace and accept what is not in his control.

Of course validation comes from hitting the target, it is the successful conclusion to a task. The Archer should not find his self-worth  from hitting the bullseye.  I am not saying that there is not much to learn from failure (perhaps everything worth learning) only that his validation should not depend on his success, just his betterment.

INNER JOURNEY

If you should decide to heroically embark in a journey of self analysis you might find it painful.  Use the pain to take action, make the changes that are necessary to prevent yourself from living a sort of blissfully dissatisfied life, or what the group Pink Floyd referred to as being "comfortably numb."

Do not regard hardships or adversity as misfortunes, instead view them as learning experiences.
Excessive worry about the future causes anxiety.  Embrace you fate and enjoy life.

BETRAYAL

Sometimes in relationships or friendships, we project our feelings unto other people.  We think that if we care so much about someone that person should feel the same way about us.  We delude ourselves.  Some people's brains are wired differently.  They will lie to your face without any qualms.  They will cheat you, deceive you and attempt to destroy your wellbeing.  They are only motivated by their own desires. We get blindsided and are vulnerable because we have exposed our inner self to them.  What should we do when we experience betrayal?  It is best to let go. Don't fight for resolution, don't ask for explanations and don't pursue answers. There is a time to cross over bridges and there is a time to burn them down and build new ones.

CONCLUSION

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.  Pay attention to even the most  smallest details in life.  Be open minded to new ideas and remain flexible in your thoughts.  Treat all your endeavors with care, focus, intensiveness and passion.

In the words of Masaaki Hatsumi, founder of the bujinkan  "gambatte" (keep going)
















About the Author: 

Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

BIRTHDAY BLOG

As my birthday approaches, I find myself contemplating my life in our world of accelerated change and overwhelming complexity.  I've discovered that by writing down my reflections, it helps clarify my thoughts.

I have always believed that the combination of eastern and western thoughts, the esoteric and the practical is the best approach to understanding life.

As I grow older, I feel that the life ahead of me is more important than the life behind me. I tried to be the best version of myself that I tried be.  Everyday I try to be as nice to people as possible.  A meaningful life is the only life worth living.

If you have a family and a few good friends that love you, a roof over your head and food to eat, you are rich.

The most beautiful things in life cannot be touched, they must be felt.  You can't always be strong in life but you can always be brave.  Your failures are your most powerful tools.

When wise men say that "you should live for the moment," they don't mean not learning from your past, they mean not regretting a past you cannot change.  They don't mean not preparing for your future, they mean not being anxious about a future that may or may not be.    Make good use of all your potentials and possibilities.

Don't blame other people for the structure of your reality.  Shallow people believe in luck and circumstances, strong people believe in cause and effect.

Control your outside world by controlling your inside world.  You are not the product of your circumstances.   You are the product of your decisions.

All exceptional people were not versions of someone else, they were themselves.

Self discipline is paramount.  Do things that are difficult, push through the pain, show your character.

The most selfish thing that you can do for yourself is helping others.

The only antidote to tragedy is self transformation.

Perhaps life gives us problems in order for us to learn how to solve them.

You must keep on fighting for what you want, or what you don't want will take over. 

A young man is like a tiger, his body is strong and his mind is raging.  As time passes, the tiger goes chasing the dragon.  When he becomes older, his body is strong one day, not so strong the next.  His mind becomes calmer, more fluent and wiser.  He becomes the dragon.  





DEATH 

No one knows what happens when we die.  However, it seems evident that there is a heaven and hell on earth.  You can clearly see people that are in a living hell, and you can certainly see people who are living a heavenly life.

After careful contemplation I believe that people who believe in an afterlife are happier than people who don't.  Several years ago, I attended RGI, a conflict resolution seminar hosted Mr. Jack Hoban.  One of the speakers at the seminar was a decorated Marine knick named Joe Marine.  Joe said that when he speaks to his marines, he tells them that they should believe in something.  He states "I don't care if it is a rock, believe in something, it is the only way that combat can be tolerable."  I suspect the same is true in life.

You shouldn't be afraid of death, you should be afraid of dying without the world seeing the person you could have become, the best version of yourself.

Carl Jung believed that consciousness is not entirely confined by time and space.  Hopefully he is right.

One thing is for certain, as George Harrison once sang "All things must pass, all things must pass way.

About the Author:  
Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

                                 

HOW MARTIAL ART TRAINING CAN FACILITATE SUCCESS IN BUSINESS

The treasured lessons learned from practicing the martial arts can be an invaluable asset for business men and women.

Many astute business people have come to appreciate the value in the martial philosophies of the east and west.  Quotes like "every battle is won, before it is fought" (Sun Tzu's art of war) or "never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" (Napoleon Bonapart) are commonly used by business coaches everywhere.

There are numerous parallels between a battlefield and today's business environment.  Effective communication, logistical complexities, problem solving and negotiating skills are paramount in both.

Knowing one's enemy, oneself, and the  conditions of the environment is crucial in maneuvering tactically through the challenges ahead.

TAKE ACTION


"Don't be an excuse maker, be an action taker"

Martial art training enables the practitioner to stand up against one's fear in order to become a stronger and more confident individual.  In your action, lies your potential.

In business, as well as in life, it is important to clarify your goals and visions, leave your comfort zone and fears, test your limits and heroically take action.  In taking actions, there will always be risks; however, if you feel you must make a change in life and don't, you will be troubled with regret.
As written by John Greenleaf Whittier: "for all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest of these," it might have been." 

In setting out to slay the dragon, you might be eaten, but if you stay safe at home, the dragon may 
come eat you anyway.

The consequences of inaction are always as fraught with danger as those of action.  The difference is, inaction leaves the individual with a sense of powerlessness and victimhood that does not plague those who choose to act.

As long as you work toward your dream, success in possible.  Watch out for the dream breakers, for your dreams are your gifts and should not be subject to the opinions of others. A dream is only a dream, until you have a plan and act upon that plan. Only action can turn your dream into a reality.

KUUKI  YOMO (Reading the atmosphere)

Kuuki Yomo or reading the atmosphere is a very important concept in Budo (The way of the warrior) it is a type of heightened awareness.  Many of Man's natural senses and instincts  have been eroded over time.  Reading others intentions or sensing the energy when another enters a room, would have been crucial survival skills in the past.  These skills are still valuable today. Properly judging your environment It's a mixture of observation and instinct.  An example of this would be, when a professional poker player sits at a gambling table, first he reads the tells. (certain behaviorisms that reveal his opponent's intentions.)  Think of how useful this would be in a business meeting.  A person's situational awareness heightens during combat or while training for combat. The more you practice the clearer things become. "Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you will be able to see further." (J.P.Morgan)

HITTING THE BULL'S EYE

The lessons learned from practicing archery, shirken jitsu (the art of throwing stars or darts) or firearms are applicable in the business world; these lessons are not only beneficial to the modern business person but may provide opportunities and insights that would otherwise go unseen.  The first step in target practice is knowing where the bull's eye is just as the first step in preparing for a business project is to identify your goals.  When you first shoot at the bull's eye, you waiver right, left, up and down.  When your shot misses you learn to reformulate your action.  When a beginner first stares at the bull's eye, it seems extremely hard to hit. The accuracy rate for a novice starts at 30 percent; with practice the novice achieves 40 percent, then 50 percent and continued improvement there after.  In order  to hit the bull's eye consistently, one must organize one's structure behind one's aim.   Aim high, my friend!.

CONCLUSION

In martial arts and business alike, learning new skills is imperative when confronting future challenges.  When I was in college, I studied under a psychology professor who taught a concept called integrating new functions.  She and her colleagues would constantly engage themselves in new activities like  playing an instrument, photography or painting.  They felt that by constantly participating in new events  would eventually expand their consciousness.

If you don't do something beyond which you have already mastered, you will never grow.  

Remember, the key to wisdom is having a flexible mind.


About the Author:

.
About the Author:  Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com