Dear Coach,yesterday a male Finch flew into my window and dropped. i went outside to see if he was alive. he was, barely. i picked him up, cradled him lovingly in my hands and chanted the Sacred Mantra. i stroked his feather-soft and delicate body, unattached to whether he would live or die, i prayed […]
“That goodness is what survives death, a fundamental goodness that is in each and every one of us. The whole of our life is a teaching of how to uncover that strong goodness, and a training toward realizing it.” – Sogyal Rinpoche, My earliest formative spiritual training was the Tibetan Mountain Lineage. That Path has […]
Flagstaff Running Warrior Ryan Shay leads a pack on his way to a 7th-place finish in the 10,000m at the 2002 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.(Photo: Alison Wade/New York Road Runners) *** Words for one of our own, who hit the Bardo in perhaps the Most Noble Way any of us who refuse to […]
“Things will never be perfect. How could they be? We are still in samsara*. Even when you have chosen your master and are following the teachings as sincerely as you can, you will meet difficulties and frustrations, contradictions and imperfections. Don’t succumb to obstacles and tiny difficulties. These are often only ego’s childish emotions. Don’t […]
“I cannot pretend I always practice bodhichitta,but it does give me tremendous inspiration.Deep inside me, I realize how beneficial it is.That is all.”– Dalai Lama ***Bodhi = Awakechitta = consciousness the term, Bodhichitta is generally translated as, “Awakened Heart” most of the Spiritual Fitness Warriors attracted to Wholistic Fitnesscome to this Pathwith Bodhichittaat one Level […]
coach in Ardha Matsyendrasana; one of those great “Karmic Keys” into the often painful, barbed wire intensity of my hips. this and the photo of Ananda and i in Vashisthasana variation (below) by Melissa Grimes. *** i realize that most men my age have already invested most of their energy, training time, and well; lives […]
“To imagine that Zen is mysterious is the first grave mistake which many make about it.”– D.T. Suzuki photo by Ananda; ilg stops while fitness walking with Ananda to consider the far-better-than-perfume fragrance radiating from a rose in our neighborhood. Postural note; most ‘grown ups’ make the same fatal mistake in smelling flowers as they […]
Planning for the future is like going fishing in a dry gulch;Nothing ever works out as you wanted, so give up all your schemes and ambitions.If you have got to think about something—Make it the uncertainty of the hour of your death.GYALSÉ RINPOCHE photo 1; fishing for new rock climbing routes; Joshua Tree National Monument. […]
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Coach’s Teachings
Most teachings are for Wholistic Fitness Members only. Some are complimentary.
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!
You have access to thousands of posts going all the way back to 2002. The Archives makes for ideal Svadhyaya, and if you don’t know what that important term means ... all the more reason to dive into these amazing WF Scriptural Recordings!
Checking out one or two archived teachings every day or so is an AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE way to stay connected with your Tribe AND maintain consistency and motivation in what matters most: your own practice.
Note: We'll be fixing broken image links, and cleaning up the categorization of archived posts, over time.
Photo of Coach and daughter Dewachen, living the Path (upside down!) by www.jamesqmartin.com