Diaries Of A Broken Heart: 10 Things I Have Learned Practicing Mixed Martial Arts

I have been practicing mixed martial arts ( Muai Thai is my fav!!) for the past few months and beside the physical changes I am experiencing (more strength, less fat), I am also trying to apply the mental and spiritual lessons ancient masters have bestowed upon us. Feeling like a warrior rather then a victim is key to healing a broken heart plus my coaches, Toby, Cooper and Pola could care less about my excuses, complaints and "poor me" comments. Special thanks to them for getting me out of my shell and helping me keep it real on the real. Here are my fav quotes I feel transcend through the discipline itself and onto life giving the warrior in us a code of conduct to live by.

1. To practice properly, you must: Calm the spirit and return to the source. 

Cleanse the body and spirit removing all malice, selfishness, and desire.

2. Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice.

The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.

3. Martial arts do not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nurture life, and prevent death and destruction. The true meaning of the term "samurai" is one who serves and adheres to the power of love.

4. Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world;

illuminate the path according to your inner light.

5. Day after day train your heart out, refining your technique:

Use the One to strike the Many! That is the discipline of the Warrior.

6. The Way of a Warrior cannot be encompassed by words or in letters:

grasp the essence and move on toward realization!

7. The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.

8. The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity;

the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship.

Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.

9. A true warrior is always armed with three things: the radiant sword of pacification; the mirror of bravery, wisdom, and friendship; and the precious jewel of enlightenment. Martial arts are the principle of non-resistance. Because it is non-resistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished.

Aikido is invincible because it contends with nothing.

10. There are no contests in Martial arts. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.