Zen Sekai I

When I was in the sixth grade I got the opportunity to go  to the Japan Expo at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Al. I had never been to another country nor had I even seen a person of another race other than black or white. When I went to the expo I saw Japanese people and culture and was so fascinated I spent every penny my mom gave me.

I baught egg rolls, posters, chop sticks, candy and nearly everything else my few little dollars could get me. I wanted to be Japanese, and I wanted to talk Japanese. For years I would carve little Katanas out of wood and play in the backyard all day. So when I first layed my eyes on a picture of a brother that goes by the name of Zen it was like I was looking at myself in the future.

This brother is truly astonishing. He’s a fine artist, a martial artist, a philosopher, a traveler and a myriad of other mastery of skills that I haven’t even uncovered yet. Take a few minutes and read the entries in his blog entitled: Zen Sekai I - One if by Land….   and you will quickly find that this is a very complex brother. His bio reads like the introduction to a blockbuster movie like ‘The Fists of Fury’ or ‘House of Flying Daggers’ or ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’:

I am called Zen, my wife is Lady Zen, our yacht is called s/v Zen. Why? well that is a bit complex the short version is this. I am a disciple of the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu linage. Shaolin is the birth place of Ch’an Buddhism which is a mix of Taoist & Buddhist Philosophy. “Ch’an is called Zen in Japanese”. Kung fu is more than a fighting style is it way of life, a philosophy, and outlook, which I live.

I am a 10th generation Northern Shaolin Sifu, from the Grandmaster Wong Jac Man lineage. I am also 9th generation Tai Chi Mantis Instructor from Grandmaster Chi Chuk Kai lineage. The first “Nubian Heritage” Tai Chi Mantis Sifu on record. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the USA Chuk Kai Tai Chi mantis Federation.

I am certified to teach Northern Shaolin, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Kali/Arnis, Praying Mantis ( 7 star and Tai Chi Mantis).

Further certified in Feng Shui ( Master Sang & Master Yu), Reflexology, Jin Shin Do (accupressure), & ASA sailing.

Other studies have included, TM, Yoga, Zen, herbology.

All of this does not really mean much in the scope of the world, or the big picture of life…other than I’m really weird for a “black” kid that grew up mostly in West Philly that turned Hippie

Comments

[Zen]

I am honored!

_/\_

[BeckyJ]

I met Zen 35 years ago and he still continues to amaze and amuse me.