Filter Bias

The only thing that you can guarantee about your own perspective is that it is not 100% accurate. Perceptions are coloured and influenced by the sum of our personal experiences so perspective is unique for every individual.

Childhood is filled with imposed experiences and exposures that form the personal filters we carry throughout our lives. Religion and politics will further polarize our biases and filter our perspective to hear what we want to hear and spin what we don’t want to hear into something more palatable.

Fake news is in the eye of the beholder. Fake or real becomes reality the instant dogma creates filter bias and distorts perspective. Seeing things for what they are is impossible if we cannot first neutralize the way they make us feel. Emotional response is not always a logical response.

In kung fu this concept is encapsulated in the harmonization of our spirit with our intent. Recognizing the incongruities that exist when we compare our actions to our values can be a life changing and enlightening.

Know thyself.

 “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” - Lau Tzu (601 - 531 BC)

Taking a Moment

Busy. Always busy. This time of year is relentless for the Chinese martial arts. Lion dances, banquets, festivals, and all the planning that goes with them makes for constant engagement. Unfortunately, constant engagement does not always mean mindful engagement.

The irony that the lunar new year is all about fresh, positive, beginnings while I am running around putting out fires is not lost on me. If you want a fresh start, you better make sure that you are aware of where you are and what you are doing. The festivals are more than just blind celebration, they are about renewal and opportunity.

Time to slow down, I am moving too fast.

“If you abandon the present moment, you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.” - Thich Nhat Hanh (b. 1926)

What He Said

Chop Wood, Carry Water

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” - Zen Proverb

A friend of mine recently reminded me of the ‘Carry Water, Chop Wood’ Zen quote. It was a timely reminder as I am quickly approaching the time of year where I will be promoting some long time students to the rank of black belt.

Success is built upon process. Follow a process, and you will achieve results. Often we get so focused on the end results of what we are working to achieve that we forget about the journey that got us to where we wanted to be. The real value is found in the journey, not the destination.

We say our black belt is the white belt we started with, stained black with the sweat and blood of our efforts. Achieving a black belt is not an endpoint in and of itself. To keep moving forward after that achievement, you need to continue to the same things after that you did before. The little things never stop being important. If you can’t maintain the simple tasks, how can you hope to conquer bigger challenges?