Zen of the Zone

I ran like mad when I was younger. I started training long-distance running at 14. At the time I made the decision to see how fast I could become. I didn’t stop until after my first year of college, when I was 20. People used to ask me why I trained so hard.

To be great.

I’ve always had the desire to be great at something.

But that wasn’t all. There was that zen-like state: the zone. Any runner can tell you about the zone. You’re not thinking, but you’re fully focused. You know when to push harder and when to ease off. You have a plan that evolves as you see and react to everything around you, but you do all of this with an empty mind. The zone, that peculiar contradiction, that is why I ran.

Of course, the zone isn’t just for running…

On Kung Fu

Studying Chinese kung fu and martial arts may be the most important decision someone makes in their life if they end up needing those fighting skills just once.

Studying Chinese kung fu and martial arts can add a deeper meaning and sense of purpose to one’s life. Those who can find that meaning may find the ability to fight to be rather insignificant in comparison, especially if they have a peaceful life free of violent confrontations.