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We encourage all to leave comments about how these lessons and observations can and have impacted your lives.

Here is a simple way to improve your focus on the ‘hear and now.’ We can be so overwhelmed with all that is going on with our lives that we forget to be in the moment. If we focus too much of our intent onto the past or the future, we fail to utilize the potential of this very moment.

So sit up with your back straight, close your eyes and settle in. Breath in and out deeply. Focus only on the breath traveling through your nose, into your lungs and out of your mouth. Be aware of how your body feels when your lungs fill with the life-giving fresh air. Observe the centered relaxation as you release of the unneeded gasses from your body. Continue to focus only on your breath. If you mind wanders, acknowledge it and purposely return it to the concentrated task at hand.

Allowing your self the opportunity to reconnect to your ‘hear & now’ and discover the potential of a concentrated mind will break you from the dullness that an unenlightened life could bring.

Behind our day-to-day thoughts is a powerful tool, called our sub-conscious that is programmed by repeated input. In other words, what you think of, say and do on a daily conscious basis is what it takes in and builds itself around. So, if you consistently work on a positive and healthy thinking, your life will follow the enlightened path you have created.

Look hard at your life and find the times that your subconscious has controlled you both positively and negatively. See if you can identify what was the underlying thought that created the sub-conscious habit.

As protectors it is our responsibility to strive to be as powerful as we can become. Create and direct an inner vision of only that you wish to experience.

                       Mastering Your Mind

In April we explored stepping into wisdom by learning to teach others using gentle guidance and respect. This month, we enjoy discovering a path that will help us experience the clarity of wisdom. Your subconscious mind is a hard drive of memories and ideas about who you are. With what kind of input are you programming your hard drive? Do you reinforce positive affirmations, or do you dwell on fears and worries? As a warrior protector, make a pledge to be a powerful, responsible, positive person. Be in charge programming your hard drive, and the results will be a bountiful output.

Mastering your subconscious mind takes practice. With the many distractions in today’s society, it behooves all to carve out time to simply practice paying attention. Slow down, pay attention to your breath; pay attention to your posture; pay attention to your thoughts.

Your task this month is to develop the self-determination to not only make a pledge to experience the positive, but actively program your subconscious with proper thought and proper intention. Give thought and feedback on the following concept:

“If I could receive any award in the world, I would want as my prize ________”.

Go ahead- state your intention. Match it with vision. Share what happens!

 To-Shin!!

Praise- Correct-Praise—the key to helping others on their knowledge quest.Everyone loves to be respected, and seeking knowledge certainly is more fun when we are getting powerful, positive feedback.
At work or school this week, practice the “PCP” technique. Before giving a critique, compliment the person. Be real, don’t make up things that are not true. Then proceed with your correction. Finally, remember to reinforce with another praise.
Let us know how this helps you apply your To-Shin Do knowledge at home or school!
                      

How to create new habits to extend our knowledge
You can extend your knowledge base by using the power of visualization to practice at home. Simply pick a technique; see yourself executing the technique with perfect form and confidence. Don’t worry- if you see yourself making a mistake, simply open your eyes, “erase” the video and start over.
This form of instilling knowledge can take you a long way in your advancement.
To-Shin!
                      

From MA Success Magazine April 2011

“This Challenge Will Make Me Stronger

“Good timber doesn’t grow with ease, the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.” “Calm seas make bad sailors.” “That which does not kill you makes you stronger.”

Chances are, you’ve heard one or two of theses quotes before. Perhaps…..read more

This week we explore the concepts of knowledge: the how and the why.

To-Shin Do gives physical, easy to learn examples of why an attack may happen and how to deal with this negative situation.
The more we study, the more we understand the principles and the truths that guide us. We need both halves of the knowledge- the how and the why.

                        Understand the process of understanding

 This month we will explore the idea of how to gain knowledge, or “learn to teach/ teach to learn”.

As warriors, we are on a quest for knowledge. With time we add experience. Knowledge plus experience give us wisdom. Every time we take a class at NPMAC, you discover new knowledge and  have a postivie experience. Dedication to this process leads you to discover personal wisdom.

This month’s task is to practice “praise-correct-praise” or “P-C-P”- a system of teaching we use at NPMAC. Explore praising a co-worker or fellow student for their strengths, and gently guide them to finding areas needing improvement. Then remember to praise yet again. We are confident you will find that others will enjoy learning from you, and you will be journeying towards enjoying wisdom.

How has the P-C-P method worked for you this month? We look forward to hearing about your knowledge and experience!

To-Shin!!

Black Belt Excellence at home, at school and at the dojo
March finds us bringing strategic thinking to the table in order to complete our goals.

Identifying a challenge may be a step in taking action, but this is only half of the equation. Actively seeking a solution is the other half. When a student joins Black Belt Club, that student makes a promise to gain the level of “sho-dan” (translated from Japanese as “initial step”). This exercise in identifying a goal and taking specific steps towards that goal will help set a positive pattern in your life of Black Belt excellence and finding solutions.

How can you make the process of seeking solutions efficient? Simply look to your teachers. Teachers in your life help bring out the best in you. Recognize the many teachers you may currently have- at the dojo, in your home, at clubs or organizations and at work

This month’s task is to ask yourself the following:
“With unlimited resources, I’d ask ______ how to achieve _______.”

Who comes to mind that can bring out the best in you? We look forward to hearing about your experiences!

To-Shin!!