Meeting with Remarkable Men

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[tuturuhan]

Ahhh...Meeting With Remarkable Men.

The border guard knew that "the man" was smuggling contraband. He just couldn't prove it. Year after year the man passed the border guard. Year after year, the guard searched the man and his donkey looking for the contraband.

As each year passed "the man" became wealthier and more prosperous. The border guard stewed in his inability to figure out what "the man" was smuggling. Worse, as each year passed the guard become more and more jealous of "the man's" prosperity.

But, as they both aged, the guard finally gave up his pursuit of the man. The man had showed kindness to the guard as the years passed. He had brought "goods" and given them as gifts to the guard. Moreso, he had given the guard advice about life and prosperity. The game and "slowly" turned into a game of friendship. Both were now prosperous in the sharing of friendship.

When they had retired from their "opposing" occupations the guard stated, "We are no longer opposed to each other because of our circumstances. So, tell me...all these years I have racked my brain trying to uncover what you were smuggling. I searched you and your donkey diligently. Yet, I uncovered nothing except for watching you become more and more properous. What were you smuggling?

The man answered "In our conflict have we not become fast friends?

"Of course. At first I hated you. But, as you continued to be kind and respectful to me our relationship changed. In fact, you taught me many things which helped to make me and my family properous. So, tell me. What were you smuggling?

The Man answered, "I have one final gift for you. It is the donkey that I have used all these years...to travel between borders.

(It is not what you See. It is what you don't See. And when "you" learn this you will discover that what you were searching for was always right in front of you.)

Sincerely
Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

[SeiserL]

(It is not what you See. It is what you don't See. And when "you" learn this you will discover that what you were searching for was always right in front of you.)
And who/what is the "you" that see, doesn't see, learns, discovers, and searches?

Remarkable men know, but don't answer.
Unremarkable men only ask. (Ah, that would be me.)

[tuturuhan]

And who/what is the "you" that see, doesn't see, learns, discovers, and searches?

Remarkable men know, but don't answer.
Unremarkable men only ask. (Ah, that would be me.)

Sensei,

Each of us is remarkable!

We are the result of 6 million years of evolution. Though, fortunately or unfortunately, life "hits us hard". Most of us, including myself, question our "remarkable existences". We doubt ourselves rather then seeing the good, the positive and the remarkable.

In Gurdjieff book, he spends the entirety of his life meeting "remarkable" men "at different levels" of being remarkable. He realizes that "at the current level we are at" we are already masters. We need not aspire to we need only uncover what already exists within us. Nonetheless, he continues in search of his personal enlightenment. He discovers that he is only at the middle of his journey.

Fortunately, I have several more lifetimes to hone what I "think" I know.

Sincerely
Joe

[Chris Parkerson]

Re
garding the
we-in-
me
that can see,
I
offer this:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/229

and yes, I am having fun with e.e.cumming's foray into cubism...

[Shany]

???

[Chris Parkerson]

did you check out the lecture?
a remarkable woman with an outstanding message that also explains how we get the bug to be like Gurdjieff.... A seeker.

As for the poem, ya gotta use ypur right brain functions to appreciate it.

[tuturuhan]

did you check out the lecture?
a remarkable woman with an outstanding message that also explains how we get the bug to be like Gurdjieff.... A seeker.

As for the poem, ya gotta use ypur right brain functions to appreciate it.

MTL, Chris,

I saw her on 60 minutes years ago. I also saw the TED lecture a few months ago. She will be on Oprah quite soon.

Best,
Joe

[tuturuhan]

(Response to Neijia on Formosa Neijia Blog)

Neijia,

After 45 years doing this stuff…I only call myself, this or that depending on the open or closed “box” of the person I am discussing life with. I no longer like to be limited by this style or that. But, I pay homage to each method. As such another story…

My Teacher Telling it Like is Was (A Remarkable Meeting, circa 1964)

Many years ago, my teacher, Kali Master, Ben Largusa was invited to speak to a group of black belts. It was a panel organized by the late kenpo master, Ed Parker.

There were three other panel members who were of significant note, but are not remembered. The most well known martial artist speaking on the panel was Bruce Lee.

Ben, being wiley thought to himself, I’ll wait and speak last. He knew that the last speaker usually has the greatest impact vs. the other speakers that come before. Bruce Lee had the same idea.

Bruce had motioned with his hand, “you go next”. Ben replied “no no…the honor is yours”. Bruce had beaten Ben to the punch!

Ben acceded reluctantly, but spoke vigorously and intelligently to the black belts about the theories and concepts of his Kali marital art.

Then it was Bruce’s turn. He spoke for no more than 10 minutes. He then turned to the audience and said, “I’m going to stop speaking now. None of you here will understand anything more I have to say…except for Kali master, Ben Largusa.

Bruce had “given his honest assessment” and as a result had insulted everyone present except for my teacher, Ben Largusa.

Tuhan Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

[tuturuhan]

Ladies, Meeting With a Remarkable Master

On a train from London to Paris, I met a woman from Canada. SHE was traveling with her 22 year old daughter. They had been in europe for several months showing her paintings and celebrating her daughter’s graduation from nursing school.

As we all getting on the train, I first noticed her as she smiled at my young daughters. I nodded to her in recognition. She was in her early sixties, blond haired and a bit overweight. I could see from her unbalanced gait that she suffered from health problems. I would later discover that her “decisions” in life had caused many of the wounds she was now suffering.

But, from the “twinkle” in her eye and the smile she radiated, I knew there was something special about this woman. She was a “true master”.

As soon as we were situated in are seats, my wife pulled from her satchel schoolwork for the kids. Though, on vacation, our “homeschooled kids” had made continued learning a habit in their lives. The woman, watched intently as my kids did their math problems.

She then blurted out, “Your children are unusally focused”.

I replied, “thank you”.

“I’m a teacher and I can tell you, your children are quite bright”, she continued.

“Oh really”, I said with surprize. “I’m very interested in “educational techniques”, I continued.

Few people can discern from body language the extentions of the mind through the body. I was certain that this woman was quite special. As such, I was looking forward to hearing her “opinions”. Any person, place and situation is an opportunity to uncover truth. I was ready to receive my lesson.

“Well, do you mind if I switch seats and join you”, she asked.

“Please…join me”, I replied.

“Great…then I will share with you my years of research and education”, she muttered under her breath. I smiled to myself thinking this woman is quite confident…quite confident. In conversation, I would learn that she was not simply a “teacher” she was a phd in classic languages (i.e. greek and latin)

In the next three hours we had “scoped” each other out, sparred a bit and then settled down into a mutual respect. We knew that like-kind always attracts like-vibration even on a train to Paris. We had recognized in each other “the intangible”.

As time unfolded, she told me about her wild life. She had been the penultimate woman of the 1960’s, an unfettered, sexually free woman, traveled and entrepreneurial…a risk taker.

“I almost killed a man”, she said casually. I had to defend myself. He is in prison now, in a wheelchair and with a broken spine.

I listened softly as she told her story. I watched her eyes turn from sparkle to one of unemotional deepness. She was now masked. No emotion glowed from her face as she continued her story.

“I was getting into my car when he attacked me. I wore my hair long then. Fortunately more me I was wearing a a sleek clingy dress. It saved my life. You see, when he grabbed me from behind he pulled at my dress and it stretched.” I nodded my head as I pictured the scene.

“I was carrying a metal bar attached to my keychain, ( I later realized that it was a kubotan) she continued. I again nodded.

“What did you do next”, I prodded.

“Instinctually, I swung around and bashed him in the temple. He went down like a rock. I then jumped with all my might on his back with my knee”, she stated firmly.

“What were you trying to do? What were you feeling?” I stated with anticipation.,

“I pulled back his head and I was trying to rip out his throat with my “metal bar”. I was going to Kill him”, she said coldly. "I was going to kill him".

She claimed that the only thing that stopped her was the fact that the metal bar was not sharp enough to cut his throat. He, though was a prison parolee and went back to prison. Worse, her knee to his back forever paralyzed him from the waist down.

At first, prosecutors considered her "self defense" claims in light of his permenant injuries. But, she was of course never prosecuted. She had no regrets about "breaking his spine". She had no regrets about wanting to "kill".

Remarkably, many years later, "this master" met the same man in a prison that she was "teaching" at. He actually apologized to her and they maintained a more than cordial friendship.

When the train ride ended my lesson ended. We politely said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch. We never did. Nonetheless, I was fortunate to meet "this woman" who was a true master who I am my family had intersected in journey to Paris.

(I’d like to tell you about her days “playing” in Tokyo, hunting from horseback, in the Canadian outback, exhibiting her paintings in Venice and getting into the mind of a psychopathic killer…but, then that’s for another time.)

Tuhan Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

[jennifer paige smith]

I found this on Aikido Journal. For your consideration and enjoyment.
http://www.inlightimes.com/archives/2000/02/taylor.htm

[tuturuhan]

Part II A Meeting On a Train from London to Paris

She was a woman quite comfortably in her power. Though, now she exuded her confidence from a body that had become worn and aged. Nonetheless, from her features I was certain that she had once been a physically beautiful and alluring woman.

She claimed that she had developed a unique and utilitarian method of teaching grammer. She believed that the “method” could change the “life success” of any person who learned it. She stated, “If your words are poor, likewise most aspects of your life will be poor. If you language is devoid of words of respect, it will prophetcize the lack of respect you mirror, not only for others, but also for yourself.”

Early in the conversation, before we had established our "connected powers" she said to me "You'd like to learn it...wouldn't you?"

She was quite provocative in that way. She couldn’t help but to use her powers of attraction. But then, when she had worked in the prison system (back in her 40's) her temptations had always gotten the best of her. You see, she had decided that it wasn't enough to learn from the situation. She wanted to go deeper. She wanted to get into the mind of a psychopathic killer.

She had studied murderers. Now, by instituting her grammer project at the prison, she had been given the opportunity. She was given access to an actual serial killer.

Working everyday with this “killer” she applied her wares. She taught him and he taught her. In the process she made him believe. She made him belive that she had fallen in love with him. She had done so at the risk of her job and the forfeiting of her very life.

“What did you learn?” I asked. She smiled. The twinkle in her eye again hardened.

“Every gesture, every word is designed to entice you. They have no emotions. Yet, they have studied your every emotion. If I had not read his file, “you” could never know what this man was capable of doing. He was so mesmerizing that “you” could only be convinced of his innocence. He made you believe…”

When the time came to end the relationship they were alone together. The only thing that separated them was a table. She said to him “I won’t be continuing our lessons.”

He replied, “I know your love me.”

She replied, “No…I never loved you.” He flinched as she finished her statement of negation.

He then lurched at her and said “I could kill you right now.”

She unflinchingly replied, “You could. But, you won’t.” He smiled at her as they looked each other in the eyes one last time. She had learned what she had come to learn. This time her unqualified curorisity had filled her unquenchable desire for knowledge.

When one attempts the true path of mastery, one begins to hone their vibrations of energy. One develops an eye for seeing things that others don't see. And in that vibration like-kind attract. I learned my lesson from this master. I learned a lesson that I hoped I would never have to use.

Tuhan Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

[tuturuhan]

The Swordsmen and the Stars

Many many years I ago I picked up a book by a modern Japanese swordsman who was popular in the 1960's. I don't remember the title or the swordsman. But, it had a signicant impact/reminder on my individual "spiritual study" of the martial way.

In the 7th chapter of his book were concepts dedicated solely to the "stars". The swordsman stated "naturally" that the "stars affected "the swordsman and his opponent". I was struck by the juxtaposition of astrology with swordsmenship. Yet, it served to remind me of the three levels of practice (e.g. physical, intellectual and spiritual).

Today, the young are swept in the outer layer of the physical technique. The temptation of the colorful sights and sounds prevents them from entering the concentric circles. The intellectual seek to explain the "physical technique" by attempting to venture into the inner circles. But, their intellect is the very barrier which prevents them from "feeling" the spiritual.

The swordsmen said "The physical stroke of the blade is too fast for the eye. You must listen for it. Only then will you be able to finally see it."

Sincerely
Tuhan Joseph T. Oliva Arriola

[tuturuhan]

SWORDSMEN WALKING THE 8 directional circle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1H7U2C43AI

[tuturuhan]

Illusions of a Man's Work

Once a year or so, I check in on "my teacher". He is in his mid-eighties and in poor health. Yet, he still talks about his exploits as if they had happened yesterday. Sadly, his body can no longer perform...

When he was in his sixties I used to brag about the fact that he could still best the 20-something that walked in his doors. My teacher enjoyed the "fight" whether it be physical, intellectual or spiritual. (His teacher killed many times in the ring.)

Five years ago, one of my students went to a "party" that paid homage to my teacher. She had never met him before and like the others who had heard "his legend" she wanted to be able to say that she had been in his midst.

When she came to my class she reported what she had seen. "He is in his eighties and still he is a wonder to see. He was incredible."

She had filmed his demonstration and as such I was able to watch it.

I was truly saddened by what I had witnessed. His skills were gone...

I told my student, you have "lied to yourself". You have let your emotions distort your judgement of the "Grandmaster's current state of ability"."

It saddened me to see the "chi" gone from my teacher's body. He was but a shell of his former glory. Yet, as a "warrior" I must be clear in my estimation of "any potential opponent" even my teacher.

We cannot be fooled by title, style, linage, legend or hypnosis. Yet, we must develop the "eye" to see "true ability". (I say this knowing that one day my "chi" will also escape the imminent tattering of my body)

Until then, we continue to battle and learn for the next battle.

Sincerely
Joseph T. Oliva Arriola