In Warrior, Scholar, Sage, I invite you into a living tradition where martial arts, personal growth, and ancient philosophy merge to awaken the fullest human potential. Drawing from over 40 years of training, teaching, and holistic wellness practice, this book offers a unique blend of physical methodology, mental resilience, and spiritual reflection.
More than a manual of movements, this is a guide to living with awareness and integrity. You’ll explore Eastern martial traditions and Western psychological insights, from archetypes and ethical codes to energetic cultivation, posture work, and the moral responsibility of the modern-day warrior.
Through better understanding of dynamic tension exercises or stances (isometrics), proverbs, stories, and personal reflection, I equip readers to move with intention, teach with clarity, and live with purpose.
Whether you’re a martial artist, instructor, healer, or seeker of truth, Warrior, Scholar & Sage is your compass on the lifelong journey of strength, wisdom, and inner peace.
In a world flooded with noise, speed, and disconnection, this book offers a path back to equilibrium, through movement, breath, and discipline. It supports the development of the complete individual, what I have come to know as the integrated warrior-scholar-sage.
We’re not just training the body. We are refining the mind, expanding awareness, and aligning with higher values. The goal is not combat, but character. Not dominance, but discipline. Not conquest, but connection.
I invite you to read, reflect, and most importantly apply these teachings. Let this guide accompany you on your path to mastery not just in martial arts, but in life.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
Rewiring the Nervous System: Ancient Practices for Modern Resilience
The human nervous system can be likened to an electrical system designed for specific voltage and amperage. Traditionally, it is assumed that most individuals are wired for 110 volts and 15 amps. However, contemporary society necessitates functioning at 220 volts and 30 amps, far exceeding the capacity originally intended by our biology. This increased “voltage” manifests as chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and various physical ailments.
Nevertheless, just as an electrical system can be rewired to handle greater loads, the human nervous system can also be trained to adapt. Ancient practices such as martial arts, qigong, Dao Yin (Taoist yoga), yoga, and breathwork serve as effective interventions. These time-tested methods bridge the gap between the body’s inherent capabilities and the demands of modern life, enabling the nervous system to withstand higher levels of stress without succumbing to being overwhelmed.
The Role of Stance Training and Controlled Stress
With over 45 years of experience in martial arts, qigong, Dao Yin, and yoga, it has been observed that certain methods can effectively enhance the nervous system. One such method is stance training, which involves holding postures for specific durations while integrating breath control.
For beginners, basic stances are introduced in succession, initially without prolonged holds. As they progress, duration gradually increases. Once students can hold each stance for 30 seconds, controlled breathing is incorporated, typically three breaths per 30 seconds. With consistent practice, the duration is extended to one-minute holds, adjusting breath cycles to around four to six respirations per minute.
This approach serves multiple purposes. On a physical level, it strengthens the legs, core, and other stabilizing muscles. On a neurological level, it encourages the nervous system to adapt to discomfort, fostering resilience, endurance, and focus. On an energetic level, it stimulates the body’s internal pathways, potentially leading to enhanced vitality and internal balance.
The Science Behind the Training: The Anterior Midcingulate Cortex (aMCC)
While these practices have been in use for centuries, contemporary neuroscience provides insight into their effectiveness. A critical region of the brain implicated in resilience is the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC).
The aMCC is responsible for effortful control, emotional regulation, and persistence in the face of challenges. Research indicates that engaging in controlled stress, such as maintaining difficult stances, regulating breath, or training under discomfort, strengthens and enlarges the aMCC. Consequently, individuals who practice these methods may enhance their ability to manage stress more effectively, increase mental toughness, and maintain composure under pressure.
In essence, deliberate training can augment our capacity to handle life’s challenges, analogous to how lifting heavier weights strengthens muscles. This concept is consistent with the principle of progressive overload, which is well-established in strength training and equally applicable to the nervous system and mental resilience.
“Burning the Chong Mai” – The Energetic Dimension
Beyond the physical and neurological aspects, these practices have deep roots in Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). An important concept in energetic cultivation is “burning the Chong Mai.”
Chong Mai
The Chong Mai (penetrating or thrusting Vessel) is one of the eight extraordinary meridians in TCM. It serves as a primary channel for deep energy reserves, influencing the body’s overall energy flow. When stance work and controlled breathing are practiced regularly, this meridian can be activated, which may allow for greater energy circulation through the other seven extraordinary vessels and the twelve main meridians.
This process can be compared to upgrading a power grid. By increasing the capacity of the Chong Mai, the entire energetic system can become more efficient, stable, and resilient. This observation might explain why long-term practitioners of qigong, Dao Yin, and martial arts often report higher energy levels, improved focus, and a significant sense of internal strength.
Resilience Through Discomfort: The Path to Transformation
The old adage “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” perfectly encapsulates the philosophy behind these training methods. Rather than avoiding stress, we use it as a tool for growth.
Physically, stance training builds strength, endurance, and structural integrity.
Mentally, breath control and effortful posture-holding train the nervous system to remain calm under pressure.
Neurologically, the aMCC adapts and strengthens, improving stress management and persistence.
Energetically, activating the Chong Mai and meridian system enhances internal power and resilience.
Instead of being overwhelmed by modern life’s “220 volts,” we can upgrade our own internal wiring, ensuring that we remain grounded, adaptive, and powerful in an ever-changing world.
For those seeking true strength, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually- these ancient methods offer a proven path to transformation. The keys are consistency, patience, and a willingness to embrace discomfort as a gateway to resilience.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
World Tai Chi Day 2025 will be celebrated on April 26th. It’s a global event aimed at promoting health, wellness, and mindfulness through Tai Chi practice. Note that not all qigong is tai chi. However, all tai chi is qigong. A distinction that is good to understand when an individual chooses to make the commitment of time, energy and resources to learn a time-proven and legitimate lineage of these practices.
In 1314, at the age of 71, Chen Wangting (or Chen Sheng Feng, as sometimes referenced in folklore) is said to have moved to Wudang Mountain. Inspired by an intense encounter between a snake and a bird, he observed how softness could overcome hardness and how yielding could neutralize force. Combining the deadly precision of their movements with his extensive knowledge of military Longfist (Changquan) techniques, he began to refine his martial practice.
To this foundation, he integrated:
The dynamic interplay of Yin and Yang, expresses the natural balance of opposing forces.
The Five Element (Wu Xing) energy movements of ancient Taoists.
Ancient Dao Yin exercises promote internal health and longevity.
The environmental harmony of the I Ching emphasizes adaptability and flow.
The philosophy of the Tao Te Ching guides the practitioner toward a path of spiritual harmony and natural wisdom.
This synthesis evolved into what became known as Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan or “supreme ultimate fist”), later branching into the Five Element Tai Chi system.
Tai Chi can be likened to:
A doctor, as it promotes healing and internal balance.
A soldier, as it is an effective method of self-defense.
Vitality for the elderly and a focus for the young.
It is an exercise that strengthens the body, a meditation that calms the mind, a combat system that trains awareness and control, and a path of personal development that leads to deeper understanding. Tai Chi is like yoga in its pursuit of flexibility and balance, like dance in its graceful movements, and like self-defense in its strategic applications.
Ultimately, Tai Chi seeks to cultivate harmony with nature, instill discipline through spirituality, foster health and resilience in the individual, and align one’s being with the heavens. It is hundreds of years old, a living expression of the Dao, or the Way of Tai Chi Chuan.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
Written for seekers, skeptics, and believers alike, this article invites deeper reflection on the mystery of faith, the struggle of transformation, and the timeless power of the human spirit.
Easter is one of the most widely celebrated religious holidays across the globe, observed by billions of people through both spiritual and cultural traditions. For Christians, it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ; an event central to the faith and steeped in mystery, reverence, and awe. Yet, when we peel back the layers of devotion and ritual, deeper questions arise:
What exactly happened leading up to the crucifixion?
Why did Jesus die?
If Jesus were alive today, would He be embraced or dismissed as a fraud?
Would He be celebrated or condemned all over again?
These questions may seem theological at first glance, but they also probe into human psychology, sociology, and the nature of our collective consciousness. Let’s explore this landscape more fully.
The Life and Death of Jesus: A Brief Chronology
The crucifixion of Jesus was not a random act of violence but the culmination of escalating tension. His teachings challenged the religious elite and threatened both Roman and Jewish political structures. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and denied three times by Peter, Jesus was ultimately condemned, scourged, and crucified under Roman law.
According to the Gospels, He died a slow, excruciating death, most likely from a combination of blood loss, asphyxiation, and shock. His body was placed in a tomb, and yet, three days later, reports of His resurrection spread. For the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and followers in various places, teaching and preparing them before ascending into heaven.
But His post-resurrection appearances were not always public or easily verified, likely to avoid immediate conflict with His enemies. This subtle presence helped build the early Christian movement without triggering another wave of persecution, yet it also raises timeless questions.
Would Jesus Be Accepted Today?
Imagine Jesus walking the Earth today, preaching love, repentance, and divine truth. Would He be revered? Or ridiculed?
For many devout Christians, His return is not only expected but deeply hoped for. But it’s also possible that His reappearance would challenge modern religious institutions, political ideologies, and cultural norms. His radical message of loving enemies, renouncing materialism, forgiving unconditionally, and living humbly runs counter to consumer culture, tribalism, and vengeance-based systems of justice.
In a secular and scientific age, He might be dismissed as delusional, cult-like, or mentally unstable. Social media would amplify both the adoration and the condemnation. News outlets would scrutinize every word. Authorities might intervene. Even some who claim to follow Him might not recognize Him if He failed to fit their expectations.
Miracles, Demons, and the Modern Lens
Jesus’ time was filled with accounts of miracles such as healing the sick, calming storms, walking on water, and casting out demons. But how do we interpret those today?
It’s worth asking: were demon possessions more common in antiquity, or was there simply a lack of medical and psychological understanding? Conditions we now label as epilepsy, schizophrenia, or PTSD may have once been seen through a spiritual lens. That doesn’t necessarily disprove the spiritual dimension, it just reminds us that knowledge evolves, and perception is always shaped by context.
Many ancient cultures viewed health holistically, body, mind, and spirit as inseparable. In that light, Jesus’ healing work can still be seen as deeply integrative, restoring not just physical health, but emotional, mental, and spiritual balance.
Do People Still Celebrate Easter as a Religious Holiday?
In the United States, Easter remains a significant holiday, but often more as a cultural celebration than a sacred observance. About 81% of Americans celebrate Easter (Statista, 2025), but only around 30% attend religious services (Jones, 2025). For many, Easter involves candy, egg hunts, spring fashion, and family meals more than deep spiritual reflection.
Globally, however, Easter remains a central pillar for over two billion Christians, and even those who don’t consider themselves religious often participate in its communal and festive traditions.
The Pattern of Human Response to Visionaries
Jesus was not the only historical figure to be rejected in His time and revered later. In fact, history repeats itself with uncanny regularity:
Figure
During Their Life
Now Remembered As
Jesus Christ
Executed as a criminal and heretic
Savior, Son of God, Redeemer
Socrates
Sentenced to death for corrupting the youth
Father of Western Philosophy
Martin Luther King Jr.
Monitored and opposed; assassinated
Civil Rights Icon
Joan of Arc
Burned at the stake for heresy
Catholic Saint and French Heroine
Galileo Galilei
Placed under house arrest for scientific beliefs
Father of Modern Science
Nelson Mandela
Imprisoned as a dissident
Global Symbol of Peace and Freedom
Mother Teresa
Criticized and praised
Canonized Saint and Humanitarian
This pattern teaches us something vital: those who carry truth, challenge norms, or disrupt unjust systems are often rejected in their own time, only to be honored by future generations once the world has caught up.
Final Reflection
If Jesus Christ were to return today, not as a celebrity preacher or political figure, but as the humble, radical healer Jesus was, there’s a strong chance he would face the same resistance that he did 2,000 years ago.
Yet, the holistic view reminds us that truth transcends time. While forms change, principles remain. Whether we view Jesus through a spiritual, symbolic, or historical lens, His life challenges us to look inward, to seek compassion, and to live from the soul rather than the ego.
The deeper question isn’t whether the world would accept Jesus, but whether we would recognize Him in our own lives, our own thoughts, and the strangers we encounter daily.
I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.
Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
The Eightfold Pathin Buddhism and theEight Keys of Wisdom both emphasize self-awareness, ethical living, and inner transformation, but they approach wisdom from different angles. Buddhism focuses on liberation from suffering and Taoism emphasizes harmony with the Tao (the Way). Below are summaries and correlations between them.
The Buddhist Eightfold Path is a core teaching of the Buddha, forming the practical aspect of the Four Noble Truths. It guides ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, leading to the cessation of suffering and enlightenment (nirvana).
The Eightfold Path consists of:
Wisdom (Prajñā / Panna)
Right View (Sammā-diṭṭhi) – Understanding the Four Noble Truths and seeing reality as it is.
Right Intention (Sammā-saṅkappa) – Cultivating thoughts of goodwill, and harmlessness, avoiding harmful desires and ill-will.
Ethical Conduct (Śīla / Sīla)
Right Speech (Sammā-vācā) – Speaking truthfully, kindly, and avoiding lying, gossip, or harmful words
Right Action (Sammā-kammanta) – Acting ethically by resisting from harming living beings, stealing, and engaging in improper sexual conduct.
Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva) – Earning a living in a way that does not cause harm or exploit others.
Mental Discipline (Samādhi)
Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma) – Cultivating positive states of mind, preventing negative thoughts, and striving for self-improvement.
Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati) – Maintaining awareness of one’s body, feelings, thoughts, and phenomena through consistent mindfulness practice.
Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi) – Developing deep meditative states of focus to achieve insight and tranquility.
Like the Eightfold Path, The Eight Keys of Wisdom is a core teaching in ancient wisdom, drawing from Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It guides ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, leading to the cessation of suffering and enlightenment (nirvana).
Eight Keys of Wisdom
Reflection – See yourself as others see you
Make correct choices (Hun & Po) – Discerning true, right, and correct. Dealing with the inner conflict
Overcome your delusion – 5 agents, 7 distractions
Turn on your light – See and be seen, plant good seeds
Be the mountain – Attain honor rooted in principle
Change your reality – Assume responsibility of your fate or destiny
Become a vessel of wisdom – Practice what you preach, become a role model rather than a warning
Water over fire – Draw from nature’s energies
Correlations Between the Eightfold Path and 8 Keys of Wisdom
Reflection – Right View (Sammā-diṭṭhi)
Taoist Wisdom: See yourself as others see you.
Buddhist Parallel: The Right View teaches seeing reality as it is, free from illusion. In Buddhism, self-awareness includes understanding how others perceive us and recognizing our attachments and biases.
True, Right and Correct (Hun & Po) – Right Intention (Sammā-saṅkappa)
Taoist Wisdom: Manage and cope with inner conflicts.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Intention involves aligning thoughts with ethical and wholesome goals, reducing inner conflict between desire (Po) and higher wisdom (Hun). Both traditions emphasize balancing these opposing aspects of the psyche.
Overcome Your Delusion– Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma)
Buddhist Parallel: Right Effort means actively working to remove unwholesome states (such as greed, anger, and delusion) and cultivate wisdom. In Taoism, recognizing the interplay of the Five Elements and overcoming distractions aligns with maintaining mental clarity.
Turn on Your Light – Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati)
Taoist Wisdom: See and be seen. Plant good seeds to leave a legacy of knowledge.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Mindfulness is about clear awareness of one’s actions, emotions, and thoughts. “Turning on the light” in Taoism refers to conscious self-awareness, which aligns with the Buddhist practice of mindfulness meditation.
Be the Mountain – Right Action (Sammā-kammanta)
Taoist Wisdom: Achieve honor and respect by being rooted in principle.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Action means living with integrity, abstaining from harm and unethical behavior. Being “the mountain” represents stability in virtue, just as Right Action is about unwavering moral conduct.
Change Your Reality – Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva)
Taoist Wisdom: Assume responsibility for your fate or destiny.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Livelihood encourages earning a living ethically and shaping one’s future through right choices. Taoism’s view that we shape our destiny aligns with Buddhism’s emphasis on karma and responsibility for one’s path.
Become the Vessel of Wisdom – Right Speech (Sammā-vācā)
Taoist Wisdom: Practice what you preach. Strive to live as an example and not a warning to others.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Speech teaches honest, compassionate communication. In Taoism, becoming a “vessel of wisdom” means embodying truth, much like Right Speech requires sincerity in words.
Water Over Fire – Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi)
Taoist Wisdom: Balance the elements; maintain peace in chaos.
Buddhist Parallel: Right Concentration cultivates mental stillness and deep meditative absorption, similar to Taoist teachings on harmonizing the forces of water (yin) and fire (yang) to maintain balance and clarity.
I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.
Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
United Martial Arts Association 