Everyday Life

Serving a community of private individuals and professionals who have the desire to cultivate a life of clarity, compassion, and creativity. We warmly welcome our new subscribers. Thanks for joining! Your feedback is encouraged. Please feel free to contact us.

Today's story is adapted from a tale I have heard numerous versions of, while living and studying in Japan.

1. Everyday Life

Do you ever think about how you'd love to engage in the activities you find most exciting and enriching, if only you had the time and opportunity? Hopefully this story will give you a new way to think about pursuing your dreams!

Many years ago, two young friends (Kazu and Hiro) both diligently studied kyudo (Japanese archery).

Eventually, Kazu had to quit the practice he so loved and dedicate his time to supporting his extended family. He was sad, but knew the well-being of his family was his primary responsibility.

Hiro on the other hand, having little in the way of family commitments, went to live and study with a renowned kyudo master. He spent all his time gaining proficiency in his art, and eventually became known as one of the best archers in all of Japan.

Kazu went to work in his father's business, making the protective armor worn by samurai during battle. The armor was heavily padded and Kazu joined the pieces together using a sewing machine operated with a foot pedal and a large wheel used to position the thick needle in the correct location for piercing the fabric. The job was physically demanding and dangerous. If Kazu's mind wandered for just a moment, he could easily pierce his hand instead of the fabric.

Some twenty years after the two friends had parted ways, the emperor announced a nationwide competition to honor the role and importance of Japan's many fine archers.

On his way to the competition Hiro, who had taken over the position of his deceased master, stopped by to see his friend Kazu. He told his friend about the upcoming event, and Kazu sheepishly asked if he could enter the competition being introduced as Hiro's student. Although Hiro thought the proposal somewhat foolish, because of their strong friendship in the past he agreed to bring Kazu along.

With all the masters and their many students present, people were expecting a great display of prowess. With two arrows to shoot, whoever pierced the target twice, would be given a sizeable quantity of gold and a large plot of land. To everyone's surprise though, the target was placed at twice the distance of their everyday practice!

With the target positioned much farther away than usual, one master after another failed to hit the target with both arrows. Finally with every master having missed the mark, their students were given the opportunity to shoot. In the minds of everyone there, the competition was all but over.

With no official ranking, Kazu was the very last person to shoot. He gathered his spirit, let loose his arrows, and both flew straight and sure piercing the target! Everyone in attendance was shocked and speechless as the emperor presented Kazu with his lavish reward.

With the ceremony over, Hiro rushed over to Kazu and asked,
"After all these years with no practice, how in the world did you manage to hit the target both times?"
Kazu replied,
"As a tailor, each time I aimed to pierce the right spot on the heavy fabric, I imagined my needle was my arrow, and I hit the target every single time! Today was no different."
"I spent many more hours practicing as a tailor, than I would have as an archery student. Now that I've won the prize, I'll have the time to start studying kyudo again."

How about you? How can you use your everyday life to achieve your grandest dreams?

2. Upcoming Seishindo Workshops

Click on the event's title to find out about the details
When?	Where?	Workshop/Event & Presenter(s)
November 18, 2006 13:00-17:00	Tokyo, Japan	Seishindo Somatic Coaching Workshop
January 18, 2007 19:30 - 23:00	Antwerpen, Belgium	Introducing Seishindo - The role your body plays in helping you to maintain your health and emotional well-being Charlie Badenhop, Originator of Seishindo Info in Dutch
January 20, 2007, 9:30 - 17:30	Antwerpen, Belgium	Finding Inner Peace - Exploring the body language of migraine headaches and chronic pain Charlie Badenhop, Marleen Adriaensen Info in Dutch
January 26-27-28, 2007 9:30-17:30	Antwerpen, Belgium	EMBODIED WISDOM - The Dance of Intellect, Intuition, and Emotion Judith DeLozier, Co-Founder of NLP Charlie Badenhop, Originator of Seishindo Info in Dutch in French
February 6, 2007 19.00-21.00	Merrifield, VA	Aikido - A martial art of life Charlie Badenhop
February 9-10-11, 2007 9:30-17:30	Washington, DC, USA	EMBODIED PRESENCE - Use "Everyday Aikido" to resolve conflict and build relationships Charlie Badenhop and Dorothy Pietracatella
Every third Saturday of the month 14:00–17:00	Antwerpen, Belgium	Seishindo Study Group in Belgium Marleen Adriaensen Info in Dutch in French

3. In-person and phone sessions with Charlie

If you appreciate what I share with you in my newsletter, chances are you'll find value in working with me privately.

Would you like to experience a greater sense of well-being and fulfillment in your life, but have yet to find a method that works for you?

Have you discovered that simply talking about your challenges is not enough to change the deep seated emotions that drive your behavior?

Seishindo is unique, because it draws on the mind-body principles of Aikido, Sei tai, NLP, bodywork, and somatic psychology.

With Seishindo private sessions you can learn to meld the wisdom of your intellect with the wisdom of your body, so that what you think and feel matches your true heart's desire.

• Explore core issues, such as your current identity, health, or destructive habit patterns,
• Feel more fully alive and emotionally balanced,
• Explore the direction of your professional or personal life.

  Phone sessions are available year round, for people living most anywhere in the world.

If you would like to consider working with me privately, you can email me. Once we're in contact we can set up a time for a complementary phone conversation where you can get a better feel for who I am and how you could benefit from working with me. And no worries, I will not try and talk you into a session! You will know what is best for you.

I look forward to hearing from you!
charlie@seishindo.org

I'll be available in Antwerpen, Belgium on January 22, 23, 24 2007, and in Washington, DC on February 13, 14, 15.

Tokyo, Japan:
In person sessions are also available year round, for those living in or visiting Japan.

Read more about how you can benefit from a Seishindo private session.

Read what other people say about Seishindo sessions.

If you think you might be interested in a private session, please contact Charlie directly at charlie@seishindo.org.