Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, better known as Shaq, or The Diesel, or Shaq Fu, or even The Big Aristotle (for his wisdom!), or The Big Daddy, Superman, The Big Agave, The Big Cactus, The Big Shaqtus, The Big Galactus, Wilt Chamberneezy, The Big Baryshnikov, The Real Deal, Dr. Shaq and recently also Shaqovic is the only NBA active player in the top list of the 50 best players of all times.

Shaq is a huge 7 feet 1 inch, 325 pounds man often defined as the most dominant player in the NBA. Such a physical power has always been supported by an equally monstrous ego, which makes Shaw one of the most arrogant and conceited player ever. That said, I must admit I love this big guy. He is arrogant, of course, but in a funny way.

Shaquille o’Neil has won whatever a basketball player could ever dream to win. He is a quite successful rapper and he is the star of his own reality show, Shaq Vs., in which he uses his entire ego to challenge the best athletes in the world in several different sport disciplines. He also runs a twitter account with something more than a million followers! A successful person, for sure.

His huge body is also a perfect big canvas for tattoo artworks. He has got quite a few tattoos, but the funny thing about them is that he had to ask his mother before getting them. Here The Big Agave’s words: “First of all, I got my tattoos because I was allowed to get them. You better believe I asked my mother first.”

It’s not easy to recognize all of his tattoos. Some of them are pretty huge, some other are not clear enough to tell what they really are. Here is what I could find out about Shaquille Tattoos:

Shaq is one of the many NBA players who decided to have his own nickname engraved on skin. Shaq chose Diesel, among his many pseudonyms, as tattoo for his left shoulder. He got it just above his favourite tattoo, perennial sign of his immortal ego: the big “S” of Superman. Not yet satisfied, he has also added the inscription “Man of Steel” to it.

More difficult to distinguish are the tattoo designs on Shaq’s right shoulder and arm. One of them should be displaying his daughter name Amirah, but I cannot say it for sure.

Two more controversial inscriptions say: “The world is mine” and “Against the Law” because, as Shaq explains, “My game’s so good, there has to be a law to stop it”.

Another interesting tattoo design on his right arm portrays a fist holding a diamond.

Some other recognizable tattoos on Shaq body are the word “BIG” and the design of a huge muscled man, in a Hulk style, maybe depicting Shaquille himself, on his right forearm.

Empaths are people who feel very deeply and are incredibly sensitive souls. They feel pain in the words left unspoken, and the unkind look in someone’s eyes can cut like a knife.

They have a hard time being here in this world, often feeling isolated and abandoned by spirit because the world around them many times does not make sense. in fact it usually contradicts all their intuition is picking up on.

The truth is empaths are human lie detectors, not much gets past an empath… yet they will likely struggle to listen to their intuition or fail to take action on their insights because, ironically, they sometimes do not trust themselves.

Empaths believe we are human beings having a spiritual experience and we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Such movies as: Ghost, Sixth Sense, What The Bleep Do We Know?, City of Angels and others illuminate this belief.

Nurturing the soul is as important as healthy nutrition, exercising and sleep. The soul’s sole purpose is to create spiritual/emotional growth. The sense of well-being and happiness emanates from the soul to the psyche. If the soul is ignored or malnourished the psyche and ultimately the body suffers.

The most effective way to nurture the soul is through spirituality. Spirituality is the God-related science of developing and freeing the God-made innermost being-the core of us-“Made in the image of God.” Love creates, all else destroys. Love cannot co-exist with other premises simultaneously; therefore, God is only love. The fly in the ointment of human existence verses in spiritual form-as God-is the “ego.” The ego is essential to navigate the vicissitudes in physical life. However, the ego is what gets us into trouble. The truth is: All life on earth serves the sole purpose of developing our spirituality to the point of being free of spiritual ignorance, free of selfish or destructive behavioral (ego) patterns, free to return to our eternal home in God. True spirituality leads to freedom in God.

As all souls, empaths incarnated for emotional and spiritual growth, inherent in the human experience there are emotional and spiritual challenges.

When beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behavior are accessed and addressed at the unconscious level, the ’cause’ of any and all symptoms and behavior become crystal clear–it is mental/ emotional, physical, and spiritual trauma/distress manifesting in the behavior and symptoms you experience.

A Deep Healing process is a clear, concise and direct method of transforming the mental, emotional and physical symptoms that transcends traditional protocols while retaining a professional focus. Deep Healing avoids prescription and OTC drugs, body parts removed, artificial hypnotic inductions and psychic interventions. The process ties in directly with the experiences and needs of the person. The process is down-to-earth, to-the-point, practical, fearless and with 30+ years experience and centuries of holistic health care protocol success I know there is no doubt Deep Healing is effective.

• Get all your unnecessary emotional baggage transmuted at the unconscious level and instantly experience higher vibrations of love and peace.
• Discover how traumas and emotional wounds… even the tiniest negative experiences that you had forgotten about… are robbing you of your happy, fulfilling future that you’re meant to live. (You won’t believe how much power you’re giving away to these invisible forces.)
• Uncover the reason(s) the traditional coping with traumas are not only bad but they’re dangerous. (If you suffer from any kind of anxiety, depression, PTSD issues healing at the unconscious level is powerful and empowering.
• Afraid of your past? Discover ways to clear painful memories without reliving it or telling anyone about it. (This is the miracle road to peace that your soul was longing for, for years.)
• Clearing your traumas and emotional wounds at the unconscious level is the first step to discovering the gifts you’re meant to have in this life. (It’s like one of those tiny levers that swing open giant doors.)
• Your blocks to abundance activation can be transmuted.

You will learn to:

-receive

–hold onto money

-find safety in this world and in your body

It is safe for you to receive!

I know… because I have taught countless others how.

Jay Valko is a gentleman and a scholar.

Jay Valko gives us some insights on the importance injury prevention, starting a cover band, and his beard.

And I think he talks about Jiu-Jitsu a fair bit too.

Have you ever used jiu jitsu in a self-defense situation?

Sort of, both directly and indirectly. Directly, I’ve used BJJ a couple times to break up fights. I’ve never been attacked and had to defend myself, but twice I’ve grabbed someone who was causing trouble in a bar.

The first time a bunch of friends and I were out watching a fights at a bar and some guy started getting rowdy. I was walking out of the bathroom and I saw this guy push a friend of mine and start mouthing off. I happened to be right behind him, so I just grabbed a rear naked choke and waited for the bouncers to escort him out. He froze as soon as I grabbed him. The bouncers saw the whole thing and thanked me after tossing him out.

Another time I had to grab a guy and take him outside when he took a swing at my friend. Once outside the bouncers made sure he wasn’t allowed back in. Indirectly, having the confidence of knowing I can handle myself has allowed me to defuse several possibly volatile situations. I’d say the confidence is just as, if not more important than the actual physical ability when it comes to self-defense.

What role does ego play in jiu jitsu?

Ego is both your best friend and your worst enemy in jiu-jitsu. It’s all about how you use it. For many people I have to say, “leave the ego at the door”, but I also think it’s important to acknowledge that what brings us back day after day of getting our butts kicked is our ego. Ego simply means, “self” and since BJJ is an individual sport, it’s important to always work on your ego.

There’s nothing wrong with getting beat and being a little down on yourself, it’s natural. We’re all competitive people or we probably wouldn’t be in this sport. However, if your ego or pride leads you to hurt yourself or other people, then you have a problem. The fight should be against yourself, not your teammates or even the other guy you’re competing against.

What separates those who excel from those who do not?

A variety of things. The most important thing is to remember to have fun. For some people, somewhere along the line BJJ goes from being a fun avenue for self-improvement to being either a chore or a must-win-or-I’m-gonna-quit type thing. Enjoy it. Enjoy the exercise, enjoy the friends you make and enjoy the art. Beyond that, it also depends on how you define “excel”. If you mean in competition, it boils down to work ethic, patience, ability to take a loss (or several), how you handle your nerves, and natural physical ability.

However, you can excel in BJJ without competing. Above all else it takes enjoyment, patience, consistency and respect for the art. So many students get purple belts and think they no longer have to drill or learn technique. This is a big mistake. As you move up the ranks you should still treat the art like you’re a beginner and be happy to rep things out. It’s also important to remember that BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint. If you want to excel you have to decide to be in it for the long run, through thick and thin. It will be trying at times, but as long as you remember to have fun it will be well worth it.

How did you first get exposed to jiu jitsu?

Through Royce Gracie. When I was in high school I was wasting my time with traditional martial arts (no offense to traditional martial artists). Then I started renting the fights on video. I decided to join my high school wrestling team (Clearwater High in Clearwater, Florida) my senior year. Luckily for me I was able to beat another kid for the vacant 171lbs varsity spot. I did pretty well for a senior year walk-on, I placed in districts but lost both my matches at regionals. Even though a high school wrestling season is only about 3 months long, I felt like I knew more about fighting after one season of wrestling than after years of martial arts.

When I graduated high school in 1999, there was no BJJ in the area. I was able to check out a catch wrestling class taught by Matt Furey in Tampa, which I would have actually been more interested in at the time because I was a more of a Ken Shamrock fan than Royce Gracie (BJJiC: Me too!!), but ultimately the drive was just too far. Fortunately, Eduardo DeLima opened a Gracie Barra school about 45 minutes from my house, so as soon as I could I started training there. I was very luck to meet Eduardo and be one of his first students in America. It completely changed my life.

Do you get nervous?

I do get a little nervous before a competition; I just try to remember that anxiety and excitement are very similar emotions. So, I do my best to channel my anxiety into excitement, use the adrenaline to my advantage, and just try to have a good time.

What do you say to potential students?

Honestly, not much. Jiu-jitsu more or less sells itself. I’m just friendly and easy going, I try to provide a non-intimidating atmosphere and when I sense a new student is nervous I just make sure to talk to them and put them at ease. I explain that no one is going to hurt them and that they just need to relax. A newer student is more likely to hurt themselves than to be hurt by someone else.

If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself as a white belt?

Be patient and compete as much as possible. Also, enjoy the time you’re not training. I remember when I was white/blue belt, I felt like I always needed to train or else someone would pass me up. If I could go back now I’d tell myself that most people will quit before they’re purple belt and that not getting hurt is the most important thing to longevity.

Jay says slow it down, friend.

How do you know when to promote a student?

It’s a combination of knowing the moves and actually being able to use them. Competition certainly helps, but it’s not the deciding factor. I have a student who wrestled his whole life and is just a beast on the mat. I gave him his blue belt after only a month or two of training, he entered the Chicago Open as his first tournament and took silver in his division and gold in the absolute. He regularly beats good purple belts at the gym. That being said, he’s been training such a short period of time that he doesn’t know some basic moves and doesn’t know many advanced moves. Even though I think he could successfully compete at purple belt, I can’t give him a purple belt until his BJJ vocabulary expands by a large degree. It has to be a mixture of the technique and the practical application.

On the other extreme there’s some guys who are virtual encyclopedias of BJJ theory, but have more difficulty pulling the moves off in a live situation. You have to find the right balance between the two. I also adjust for other factors, such as age and athletic ability. I don’t expect the same things out of a person who’s fifty years old and has never trained before and someone who’s 25 and has been wrestling their whole life.

Who is the best person you have ever rolled with?

When I was a blue belt I rolled with an old school Carlson black belt named Cassio Cardoso. He made me feel completely helpless on the mat. I was almost purple belt and I had a pretty good guard that many black belts had trouble passing. I remember he went through my guard like it was butter. It’s hard to know how that match would go now that I’m a black belt, so I have to say that since I’ve been a black belt the best guy I’ve rolled with is probably Damien Maia. I felt pretty good with him, and it was just a friendly roll, but once he got the dominate position I was in big trouble.

Who is the best person you have ever competed against?

When I was a purple belt I got a silver medal two years in a row at the Arnold Classic/Gracie Worlds. The first year I lost in the finals to Chris Moriarty 2-0. It was a very competitive match but he was able to sweep me at the end. The next year I got my butt kicked in the finals by Matt Jubera, I don’t know the final score but it was something like 15-2. That was the worst I ever got beat in competition. So, those are probably the two best guys I’ve competed against. I’ve beat some pretty good guys too, when I was a blue belt I beat Ralek Gracie in the 1st American National Jiu-jitsu Tournament in 2002. I think he was only 17 or something at the time. I’ve also beaten pro-fighter Brock Larsen twice at NAGA and I gave Eric “Red” Schafer his only 2010 grappling loss, but to be fair it was in the gi, which is not his strong suit.

When was Jay Valko tapped last and with what move?

In competition the last time I was submitted was in May 2006 in the NAGA advanced division finals by a guy named Ariel Medina. He got me by rear naked choke. I remember going into the match I was a little over confident because I had beaten him at the Arnold’s either that year or the year before. He got me pretty quick. I was upset so when I saw him enter the absolute division I signed up as well (there’s that best friend/worst enemy ego thing again). Fortunately, I was able to beat him in the rematch. I’m not sure the last time I was tapped in training, but it happens fairly often. I think it was Allen Causevic who last got me, with a triangle choke.

Jay and Allen

How many times a week should you train?

I train 5-7 days a week and am on the mat 7 days a week unless I’m on vacation, but it’s also my job. I say minimum for the average person should be twice a week, up to five days a week if your body can handle it. Consistency is what’s important. I think it’s better to be twice a week, every week, than to be 5 days a week for one week a month.

What kinds of activities do you do outside of jiu-jitsu?

I lift pretty hard twice a week; I also train in judo, wrestling, boxing and mma. Aside from training, I read a lot. I’m an economics enthusiast and try to study it as much as possible. I’d rank myself at blue belt in econ, but getting better. I like econ, politics, philosophy, and debating these things. I also trade futures out of the Chicago Board of Trade. I’ve been collecting comic books most my life. I used to play drums but haven’t since moving to Chicago. Every so often I consider starting a BJJ 80’s and 90’s cover band. I love road trips, my girlfriend and I have driven cross country a few times and so far that’s my favorite form of travel.

Why is your beard so awesome?

I’d give my beard a 7 out of 10. Plus, my girlfriend forbids me to shave it. If you want to see a 10 out of 10 be sure to attend our Friday night no gi class. Our no gi instructor is a brown belt named Mike Cornille and he has the most epic beard of us all.

Thanks so much to Jay for taking the time to do this interview!

When we meditate, we begin to feel the touch of spirit, or hear its voice. Quieting our mind and being at a loss for words activates our “spiritual antenna.” The more we do it, the more astute we become at uniting self with soul. In order to access the spiritual realm, we need to acknowledge this universal connection. Accessing the spirit realm comes through the subconscious. During meditation, we sense our vibration increasing in an internal, eternal, melding of self with soul. The more disciplined our practice, the easier it is to push our ego aside and trust what is coming through. Without the interference of ego, our “antenna” links to spiritual truth not normally available to our conscious mind. Joining with higher levels of consciousness broadens our conception of the universe, as it leads us on an internal journey to an ever evolving belief system. Intuition, joined energy, direct knowing, an a sense of wholeness become part of our perceptual reality.

It is a matter of stepping up of vibration. When we open our hearts to unconditional love and “join consciousness” with the all there is, everything else moves forward, intermingling energy so profound that we cease to be alone. It is commingling that gives us strength.

To initiate the process referred to as”joining,” we invite someone or something unconditionally loved into our consciousness. Open our heart and surrender to the feeling of becoming one with this person, animal, plant or object.. Do it with non-judgment and total acceptance. When mastered, broaden this feeling to include the universe in its entirety. Once merged, we sense the power of our link, as tension subsides. Unencumbered movement of a loving, spiritual essence appears in its wake. This essence heals as it flows trough us, removing the layers of negative thought and debris that have attached to our souls.

This abundant love has no boundaries. It encompasses all in its path, embracing our souls with the oneness of spirit as we begin to understand the phenomenal gifts that union at a subconscious level has on group and individual thought. Ever present in all of us is a shared understanding of the universe. When we tap into this domain, we feel centered, calm, and at peace. It becomes apparent that the brain is a defusing device, rather than an emanating one, necessary to manifest ego-based characteristics needed for our physical experience. Knowledge itself is in the soul supported by spiritual essence.

When we let go of ego and trust in this process of wholeness, loneliness ceases to exist; it is replaced with love of everyone and every thing as an integral part of acceptance of self. This reunion of self with soul resonates is in communion with all things-one entangled, interrelated, spiritual essence of wholeness. If we open our hearts and minds, this “spiritual link” might just lead us be the best trip we could have ever imagined.

Imagine the scene. A young player is chatting to an experienced player at your club about racquets. Invariably at some point the discussion moves on to the subject of string tension. “My racquets are strung at 30lbs” says the experienced player, “the tighter the string the better – that’s what you want.”

Now this scenario has been played thousands of times in club and league badminton and it will continue. The question is, is it doing any damage?

There has been a huge amount written about badminton racquet string tensions over the last few years. Forums are full of players quoting all sorts of sky high numbers. For those who are new to this wonderful game, or have limited knowledge of this critical element, it is very easy to be taken in by the confident belief that “the tighter the string, the better” or “the tighter the string, the more power you get.”

Is It True, or Have We Been Told A Big Lie All These Years?

If you want a simple answer, then the above statements are untrue. It’s not quite as simple as that though. So let’s separate fact from fiction so that you can then make more informed decisions about your string tensions.

The string tension in your badminton racquet plays a major part in your ability to play shots well. If the strings are too slack, then they fail to perform at optimum level. For now, I’ll assume you are past beginner level and play in a club and you’re a senior (over 18).

Before I discuss what I consider to be “safe” string tensions, perhaps it’s worth getting some of the facts about string into the open.

• All strings stretch, like elastic, and therefore from the day your racquet is strung, the strings begin to lose tension (known as creepage in the trade).
• Every racquet has a “sweet spot.” This is an area on the strings which produces the best results from the contact with a shuttle.
• The lower the tension, the bigger the sweet spot. Consequently, beginners need to play with lower tensions as they are more likely to mis-hit the shuttle. The bigger “optimum hitting area” is therefore essential in their progress in the sport.
• As a player becomes more consistent, they do not require such huge sweet spots. Their needs change and they now require a faster “response” off the strings and more power.
• As tensions are increased, the sweet spot reduces. A highly accomplished player, who consistently hits the shuttle well, will generate more power and enjoy the benefits of the shuttle travelling faster off the strings. The tighter strings give them more control.

OK, so we’ve moved from beginner to highly accomplished player. I’m not talking about your first team player here because that will vary between leagues or clubs. What I mean by a highly accomplished player is someone who is representing the area, playing county badminton or even international badminton. They could be tournament players who are playing local and national tournaments. They play to a consistently high standard.

When Increased String Tension Does Not Equal Increased Power

Whenever you increase string tension, there is a point when you do not get the same return in terms of power. So what is this point of “diminishing returns?” This will depend on the individual. A highly accomplished player may find that their tensions need to be 24lbs before they notice a levelling out on power. A lower level player may find that this is way too high and 20/21 lbs is a max. Whilst it may not seem a great difference in terms of numbers, I assure you it’s massive in terms of how the racquet plays and feels.

Whatever the range, please keep your ego at bay here as it’s so common for players to boast about playing with super-high tensions and yet their performance will be suffering as a result.

Once you have found your maximum tension for power, then you need to decide whether you wish to sacrifice some in order to improve the repulsion characteristics of the string, which basically give you more control of the shuttle. Let me explain…

As the strings are tighter and the sweet spot reduces, the strings do not absorb the shuttle and then propel it forwards as much (which is where power comes from in the string). Instead the shuttle moves off the strings quicker, instantly reacting to the movement of the racquet. This produces control.

The lower repulsion and higher control characteristics are what the top players are seeking in order to provide them with the greatest opportunity to exploit the weaknesses of the opposition. They already posses the power required to create openings and recognize that this, coupled with touch and speed form the basis for a top flight all-round game.

So Where’s The Danger?

Every racquet manufacturer provides information on what they deem safe tensions for their racquets. Many players choose to ignore these “early warnings” and have their racquets strung considerably higher.

As you can imagine, exceeding recommended limits is potentially dangerous in two ways. Firstly, the racquet frame may crack or shatter due to the significant pressure on it. Second, when you increase tension, you also increase vibration through the racquet.

The loss of repulsion characteristics means the player may have to put more into the shot to get the same power. This may result in tennis elbow, shoulder or neck injuries, which are now becoming more common because of the higher tension requirements from players.

And that’s where this knowledge can be dangerous. These injuries are serious and can take considerable time to heal. You may need physiotherapy treatment which is costly. My concern here is that young players are being given the wrong information, backed up by over-zealous players in far-east who contribute to the badminton forums. Before you know it, our budding youngsters are sidelined with serious injuries and could easily miss a season.

League clubs overall are suffering through falling numbers. Losing a player for weeks or months through injury can be a major blow to the club. Promotion, relegation or even winning the league may depend on fielding a fully fit side week after week. It would be tragic to lose a key player through injury at a critical time.

How Tight Is Tight – A Guide To Stringing Tensions

I’ve been stringing badminton racquets for over 20 years. This has included string for beginners to international players. Having seen the changes in technology from two piece racquets, to one piece composite frames, nano technology and isometric heads, I’ve pretty much seen it all over the years. The development in racquet technology has brought us lighter and yet stronger frames.

This development has also generated a significant amount of testing by international players, looking for competitive advantage. Tensions have been pushed higher and have now entered those usually seen in squash racquets. Bear in mind squash racquets are significantly thicker and heavier than badminton racquets and therefore they are designed to withstand these tensions.

So here’s my guide to racquet tensions. As with all guides, there are players who will not wish to be classed as a beginner or low level player (there’s that ego again), and therefore dismiss my recommended tension. Also, tensions are so personal. We all play a different game, some are power players, some are great tacticians, some have a very broad range of shots, others have limited shots but have mastered them. Essentially we’re all different. You need to experiment to find the optimum tension for your style of play.

Beginner – 16lbs – 18lbs – especially if playing with plastic shuttles
Beginner – 17lbs-19lbs if playing with feathers
Intermediate – 18lbs -20lbs
Advanced – 20lbs-22lbs
County/International – 23lbs – 25lbs

As I said previously, this is a guide. I know county players who are happy playing with 22lbs and I also know some who play with 27lbs or more.

Whilst stringers will string your racquet beyond the manufacturers recommended tension, expect them to stipulate that they will not be responsible if the frame breaks.

A Quick Word About Playing With Plastic Shuttles

Whilst playing with plastic shuttles is extremely cost effective compared to feather shuttles, please bear in mind that hitting these shuttles are a major cause of tennis elbow. Plastic shuttles do not fly like a feather. You generally have to put more effort into clearing the shuttle to the back of the court than you do with a feather.

As the saying goes you “stroke a feather and punch a plastic.”

Because there are significant flight differences between plastic and feather shuttles, it is recommended that you lower your string tension to get more repulsion properties from your string and less vibration. If you’re playing with a plastic shuttle and have your racquet strung at say, 24lbs, you may as well play with a board.

As with all sports, a modicum of common sense prevails. I’ve known players who play with both plastic and feather shuttles. Thankfully, they are fully aware of the increased dangers of playing with plastics compared to feather shuttles and use a different racquet, strung 2-3 lbs less than their racquet for feathers in order to compensate.

What About Differences In strings?

This article is not written to do direct comparisons with strings but there are a few things worth mentioning.

Generally, the better players are opting for thinner gauge strings like Yonex BG80. It’s a great string, can be strung to high tensions and the players like the “feel” and control they get with the combination of a favoured tension and this string. As it’s thinner, the string will not have the same durability as a thicker gauge string and therefore the racquet will need to be strung more often.

Again, string choice is personal. Beginners need string with durability rather than feel and control because their focus at this standard of play is all about getting the shuttle back and playing rallies.

As the player develops and skill increases, the need for durability reduces. Control and feel become more important. There are strings that bridge the gap between these two opposing needs, namely Yonex BG65Ti, Ashaway Rally 21 and many more.

To find what works for you, you need to speak to your stringer and ask them to record your tensions and chosen string so that you can eventually find the right combination for you. If you change racquets, you may need to adjust again, but generally you’ll only be making minor adjustments to suit.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Hopefully you now understand that a higher tension does not necessarily equal more power and generally it’s actually the opposite. Please do not be fooled by those boasting of extremely high tensions, they may already be feeling the pain from this and yet don’t wish to tell you about it!

There are definitely dangers in exceeding racquet manufacturer recommended tensions. Beware, you could soon be ending your love affair with your favourite racquet if you choose to exceed the recommended tension. Check your frame for stress lines frequently or you may be in for a shock.

Test to find your optimum tension and string choice. Remember, this is personal to you and you alone. What’s right for you may be detrimental to your club colleague or partner.

Please, do not be lead by others and some of the foolish comments on the badminton forums. Test any changes in small increments of 1lb. Bear in mind that each string is individually tensioned when stringing a racquet, so a 1lb increase is enough to notice a difference.

When you’ve found the right tension for you and the right string, you can then concentrate on enjoying and improving your game without having that little niggle in the back of your mind that you’re missing something.

Enjoy your testing and feel free to email me if you want further clarification on any of the points I’ve raised – it’s always good to hear from you.

There are those of us that would like to succeed in life, but that do not want to do so at the expense of our morals and values. While others seek power through intimidation, fear, scape-goating and guilt, we choose to pursue success through the strength of our efforts, the quality of our work, the compassion for our staff, teammates, and management, and the support of our families. It is for you that the following has been written. Here are your laws, which are morally, ethically and spiritually-based. These are “The 48 Laws of Power Through Spirituality.”

Law 1: Always be honest with yourself and others

In being honest with yourself, you know when you are doing your best and the areas you need to immediately improve. In being honest with others, and knowing when to best share that honesty, you develop a reputation in your company and industry as someone that deals in reality, and as someone that generates real results.

Law 2: Assume responsibility for every aspect of your life

If you take responsibility for it, you have the power to change it. You cannot change that which you do not own.

Law 3: Bring simplicity, patience and compassion to all that you do

These 3 keys are the simplest ways to bring a sense of peace, assertiveness, control and flow to every area of your life every single day.

Law 4: Bullet Proof Your Ego

When reaching for power, you will need tough skin. You will be a target for many who want to hurt your image to improve theirs. Also, when you have a bullet proof ego, you no longer have the need to prove yourself to others. You do what you do because you choose to do it.

Law 5: Let go of your E.G.O.

After you bullet proof it, it’s time to evolve and let it go. Ego is an acronym, meaning, “Edging God Out”. Invest you thoughts into yourself as a soul instead of an ego that requires constant validation through titles, material possessions and money. You’ll never be happy satisfying the ego. You will only find happiness when you recognize who you are as spiritual energy.

Law 6: Connect with Everyone

Spiritual people know that spiritual energy is everywhere, including within each and every one of us. Connect with the spiritual part of everyone and respect them at that level. You are them and they are you.

Law 7: Control what is under your control

Most people spend their time, attention and focus on that which they do not control. Make sure your house is in order before peeking into your neighbor’s yard!

Law 8: Create frames of reference rooted in abundance, opportunity, and positive intension

Everyday, we are surrounded by media, people and circumstances designed to keep us thinking about scarcity, victimization, and revenge. You can pull people into a more receptive frame through influence, however. In doings so, you create building partners that are invested in your success together.

Law 9: All emotions are based in love or fear

All thoughts are manifested in our physical bodies. Thought creates emotion. Thoughts based in fear tear down the body, mutate our cells, and lead us down a path of disease (dis-ease). Thoughts based in love build up the body, make us look and feel younger, and provide us clear vision for more of the same in the future. Which do you choose most of the time?

Law 10: Read “Evolve!: Live Spiritually Everyday, Everywhere, and in Every Way” by James LeGrand (Amazon.com best selling author)

Know the playbook of spiritually based living to achieve prosperity, true happiness and peace

Law 11: Read the “48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene (best selling author)

Know the playbook of fear, intimidation, deception and guilt that is being used against you.

Law 12: Learn how to use brain

The 3 pounds of sponge like material between your ears is the greatest computer on earth, and it comes without an instruction manual. You have to learn how to program it in order to use it effectively. Learn about visualization, image streaming, mediation, photo reading, memory systems, systems of philosophy, the power of affirmations, and goal setting.

Law 13: Always have F.A.I.T.H.

Faith is an acronym, meaning “Facts Accepted In The Heart”. What are those facts? You are a spiritual being. You are loved unconditionally. There is nothing you can’t do. You are an individual expression of something greater than you can imagine, and thus you are greater than you can imagine yourself.

Law 14: Stop investing energy in F.E.A.R.

Fear is also an acronym, meaning “False Experiences Appearing Real”. It was once said that 95% of the life we live never happens. That 95% of experience happens in our minds only, as we think of every possible negative or unintended consequence we can generate. The remaining 5% is what actually happens in time and space. Rather than wasting your mental energy worrying about the things that may or may not happen, focus instead on what IS happening right now. Stop sacrificing your present worrying about things that 95% of the time won’t even occur.

Law 15: Get the right amounts of food, water, sleep and exercise

Common sense? Then why aren’t you doing it. Too busy? You’ll get more done in your day when you take care of these 4 essential areas of physical health. Don’t know how? Read, talk to people, search the internet and pick up a book or magazine. Plan to start next week? Next week never comes…start right here, right now. Commit. Commit to your own well being and then never look back.

Law 16: Catch people doing things right and reward them

That which gets rewarded gets repeated. Give your energy to the behavior you want to see more of, and starve the behavior you don’t want to see again of that energy.

Law 17: Become an incredible communicator

Your ability to communicate clearly, elegantly, and sincerely differentiates you from the masses. A genius level idea is nothing without the ability to properly express it.

Law 18: Create Win-Win-Win-Win Opportunities

For the best long term success, negotiate to win. However, negotiate to win for those you report to, those you negotiate with, their customers and yourself. You’ll find dedicated business partners when they know that you are out for everyone’s best interest and not just your own.

Law 19: Deal with all people at their level of perceiving the world

Auditory, visuals, feelers and intuitives. Expressives, dominants, internals and thinkers. Optomists, pessimists, dreamers and doers. Figure out how people perceive the world and then present data to them in their dominate style to speak their language and have the greatest influence.

Law 20: Determine the principles you wish to live your life by

When you know how you want to live, and do not veer from it, you live congruently through all aspects of your life. At home, at work, with friends or when confronted, you present the same individual…the person you chose to be through the selection of your principles for living.

Law 21: Determine your criteria for success before every new venture

By knowing what you define success to be, you will have a good idea of when you are complete. A big part of wisdom is knowing when to stop.

Law 22: Ensure reality IS the perception

If perception is reality, you must ensure that the truth of any situation is also the perception about it.

Law 23: Speak in public every chance you get

In doing so, you will be doing something most people are afraid to do, and will have a greater chance of presenting the truth, thus shaping perceptions about the work you and your team produces.

Law 24: Document Everything

They say that it’s not what’s true that matters, but what you can prove. If you are properly documenting, then you can prove the truth and not allow deception to reign supreme.

Law 25: Don’t let anyone steal your happiness

Happiness is a decision, regardless of what’s going on in your life at any given time. True happiness cannot be affected by external factors. You will then bring a sense of joy to everything that you do and experience. And when you enjoy what you do, you do everything better.

Law 26: Don’t stop until you succeed

There will be times when you’ll feel that you’ve taken a path that leads you away from your dream. You may feel that your dream is impossible or that you’ve failed. Remember that everything happens to bring you closer to what you want. Even the situations that seem to destroy all you’ve worked so hard for are bringing you closer to your dreams.

Law 27: Dream big

By the time many people graduate high school, they’ve already decided not to pursue their dreams. However, dreams motivate us towards our personal greatness. Dream big, dream often, and dream with the certainty that anything you dream is possible.

Law 28: Find something you love about everything that you do

Whether it be what you do, where you do it, whom you do it for, why you do it, or how you do it, when you love some aspect of what must be done, you do it more completely, with a sense of pride, and with better quality.

Law 29: Focus on questions rather than answers

When people think they know, they stop verifying, asking questions from other perspectives and thinking creatively. Answers stifle thinking and creativity. Don’t be one of these. Instead, keep your mind on questions, and know that there are always multiple ways to solve every query or challenge. Maintain the “beginner’s mind”. Never think to yourself that you are an expert that should stop asking and learning.

Law 30: Increase and express your personal authority

Link your personality authority to who you really are as a spiritual being. In doing so, you can express great personal authority. In a fear based society that loves to be led, you will have followers that want to be lead towards happiness and peace. Because you lead without the use of fear, you will be loved.

Law 31: In-spect what you ex-pect

Follow up on the tasks you’ve assigned ot others to ensure they are progressing in the direction you’ve outlined and in the timeframe you’ve determine to ensure the success of those that work for and with you. The worse time to learn that a task won’t be done is when it’s due.

Law 32: Learn from the past, but live in the present

Learn the lesson from past experiences, and then leave the experience in the past. The lesson you carry forward should always be based in unconditional love, positive intention, creation, and the greatest benefit. Then apply that lesson to the experience you are having here and now.

Law 33: Let others do the work and give them all of the credit

Your most valuable resources are the people that work with and for you. Assign tasks to your subordinates, ensure their success, and praise them publicly. They will spread good words about you and will want to work twice as hard for you next time, while you are viewed as the leader that brought them to success.

Law 34: Listen to understand

Understand the perspective of those communicating with you. Rather than listening with the intent to judge, listen with the intent to understand.

Law 35: Meditate

By meditating, you will grow in insight, manage stress, increase health, and be better able to predict the moves of others.

Law 36: Model successful people

Don’t make the mistake of taking advice from people that have not successfully done what you’ve set out to do. Learn from hose that have actually accomplished what you seek to accomplish, and then model their behavior.

Law 37: Never get mad at the same thing twice

No one can make you mad. People do what they do and we choose to be mad about them. When you get mad at a certain person or situation, ask yourself what it is about you that made this situation one that you got mad about. Then, never be mad at that situation, or any similar situations, again.

Law 38: Outline your unique selling proposition

What is the unique value you provide to your employer, customers, and business partners? Why should they want to be in business with you? What strengths can they count on you to provide each and every day? Your personal authority and intrinsic value will increase when you can honestly answer this question.

Law 39: Rather than complain, present potential solutions

When you complain, you are either asking someone else to solve the problem or you aren’t truly seeking a solution at all. By suggestion potential solutions, you are exercising your influence in the matter and are showing ownership and vested interest in the issue’s ultimate outcome.

Law 40: See all people as an extension of yourself

As human beings, is the janitor different than the CEO? Is the Senator different than the Barber? Respect people just because they exist. We all have the same types of families, dreams, fears, and daily challenges. In doing so, you will be able to speak with people of power with ease and comfort as their air of mystery and perceived authority disappear before your very eyes.

Law 41: Solve problems completely

We live in a world of shortcuts. We would rather cover up symptoms short term than to solve the problem completely for long term gain. In the short term, we seem fast, light and flexible. In the long term and in reality, we spend far too much time revisiting the same issues over and over again, thus wasting time, money and forward progress.

Law 42: Think multi-dimensionally

The more perspectives you understand, the more value you can add. Also, you can see the gaps in plans, how others may choose to attack you and how to block them BEFORE they strike.

Law 43: Under promise and over deliver

Managing expectations is critical. You are often judged based on the timeframes you provide for your own work or for the work of your team. Remember that delivering a project in 5 days that you said would take 6 is much better than delivering the same project in 5 days that you said would take 4. In the first scenario, you are a hero that delivers early and bests estimates. In the second, you are late and may not be trusted with the next critical deliverable. However, in either case, it took the same 5 days. The difference is the expectation that you set.

Law 44: View all things holistically

Never limit yourself to one point of view. Get to understand all of the possible views, and the benefits and detriments of each.

Law 45: What gets rewarded gets repeated

The actions you put your attention on are guaranteed to be repeated as attention, whether positive or negative is a reward. So, go out of your way to reward behavior you want to see more of and pay far less attention to the behavior you want to get rid of.

Law 46: Work for your subordinates rather than believing they work for you

Clear away their obstacles, provide clear guidance, keep them motivated, and be available to teach at all times. Their success is your success by default. Make them successful.

Law 47: Get advice from your spiritual source

The Bible, Quaran, the Torah, Bhagavad Gita, the Tao Te Ching, Buddhist texts…regardless of where you root your beliefs and personal philosophies, when you need advice, we often over look our foundational documents for the answers. Gandhi once said, “There is not question that the [Bhagavad] Gita cannot answer”. I believe that to be the case for all of these spiritual texts and many more. If you want to have some fun, read them all and you may find just how similar the advice is!

Law 48: Love the Unknown

We tend to take our past and project it onto our future. We do this so that the future has some familiarity about it when we think of it. However, when we do that, we tend to also project our fears, missteps, and failures onto the future as well. We end up living a cycle where the same themes, personalities and relationship types come back again and again. Look at your future as a clean white sheet of paper instead. It’s unknown, not yet written, and waiting for your instructions. You never have to repeat something you already experienced in the past again if you don’t want to do so. Love the unknown. See the emptiness of the future, and then write it yourself through your thoughts and actions today.

The sole search of every being is joy. Whenever one is searching, whatever one is searching, one is looking for joy – whether it is spiritual or material, whether it is in the movies, bars, or in the church or temple; whether it is money, fame or power. The search simply is for joy and the Divine is all joy and bliss.

Bliss is nothing but qualified joy, a joy that is devoid of feverishness, suffering and pain. Love comes along with pain. Silence is a little serious; joy is mischievous. One cannot have mischief if there is no joy and Krishna is all mischief. Krishna is absolute joy, absolute bliss. Nothing whatsoever could take away the joy from Krishna.

If you look at his life, it was miserable – he was born in misery. Kansa, the uncle of Krishna, is a symbol of ego. Ego is far away from joy; ego tries to kill the joy in us. Children are so full of joy because there is no ego. The moment ego comes, separation comes. We destroy the bliss, the beauty, that innocent joy. Kansa sent several people to kill Krishna but was unsuccessful. Krishna, when he was just eight or ten, fell in love with Radha, she was much elder to Krishna. That love was such a pure love. People did not know why they were in such a love with Krishna; everyone would flock around him.

Mischief is the outcome of joy. Children are very mischievous. Parents say, ‘Don’t do this!’, ‘Stop that!’ It’s very normal for children to be mischievous; we should let them do it. Sometimes it entails trouble for the parents, but there is also fun. What is life without fun? Krishna told many lies, played and troubled people around him. People around him would like to be troubled by him. People would complain with anger, but the moment they came in his presence, they would start giggling, all their anger would vanish.

In the presence of pure bliss, joy, all complaints vanish and life appears like a play. One can look at every trouble as a challenge or can spend it crying and complaining. You know, what you have in your hand indicates what you are inside. If you have a gun in your hand, it indicates fear or violence. If you have a flower in your hand, it indicates you are like a flower. If you have a flute in your hand, you are like a flute – hollow and empty.

Krishna has the flute in the hand and the whole style of standing indicates his whole philosophy. One leg is firm on the ground. A dance can happen when your feet are first touching the ground. If your legs are buried in the mud, a dance cannot happen. Not even if it is up in the ground. One leg has to be firm on the ground, the other can be up in the air and then dance happens. Joy is the dance of life and the life of Krishna is such a dance.

One can imagine Krishna everywhere; you cannot pinpoint Krishna as one thing. Sometimes he may ride a horse, be a charioteer and in some other place he can be dancing. Krishna is the symbol of all possibilities, the total blossoming of all aspects of human, or Divine – whatever you call. It’s very difficult to really understand Krishna’s personality. The rishis called him the full embodiment of the Divine total because all that a human could be, a being could be, is all in Krishna. You can see him as the perfect friend.

Once one of his close aides tells Krishna, ”O Krishna, I cannot understand you. I have been with you for the past fifteen years, you confuse me more and more everyday! At one point I see you as such a courageous person who could alone fight war with so many people, at other times you hide yourself in the closet. You behave completely eccentric. One time you are so powerful, another time so scared. One time you come out with such a great wisdom, another time you ask me advice.” One place he is a servant, another time king of the whole province, who takes very good care of all subjects.

Contrast energies

Arjuna was ready to quit everything and go to the Himalayas. He was not ready to fight the war. Krishna convinced him. Krishna was a good teacher because he taught as a friend. He said, ”You’re such a great warrior. Anyway, everyone is already dead.

I do everything, you just be an instrument.” In the battlefield, if someone could sustain the depth of awareness, clarity of mind when everybody is in such chaos, and give the highest knowledge, that leaves you in awe of Krishna.

You can have a big smile when everything is firm and smooth but when everything is upside down and you smile, then you have achieved something. Everything was upside down, chaotic, wherever Krishna went and yet, the smile would simply capture everything. His smile was so great that people would forget their sorrow and joy would simply flood.

Even the saints would fall in love in that field of energy; people who have renounced everything would be interested. The dispassionate one will be drawn. The word Krishna, itself, means that which is attractive, that draws everything. The very core of your being is such; the bliss of the self, the joy of the self is like that. It just draws everything. In a symbolic manner, also, it is so beautiful. Krishna was such a charmer that people could not stay away from him. Young and old, boys and girls and even the rishis, could not stay away; they would just follow him around.

The gopis said, ”the love between you and me; only my soul knows.” The depth of the love, joy, and devotion was like wildfire all around Krishna. In love there is 2 percent lust. In lust there is 2 percent love. You may have noticed when children are in deep love, they come and hug, hang to your neck, kiss you, lick all parts of your face. What do you call it, love or lust? Love. But the act is very lustful.

It’s the same thing with a puppy. When you come back home, the puppy will jump all over you and lick you by which it is expressing its love to you. Intense love wants expression. You hug, shake hands, give flowers… nothing really satisfies. Love cannot be fully expressed, yet it cannot be without expression. That’s the nature of joy and love. It wants to find an expression.

The love of the gopis and Krishna was such a love. Krishna means the most attractive. It is the divinity that is the most attractive; the energy that pulls everything to it. Krishna is the formless centre which is everywhere. Any attraction from anywhere is coming only from Krishna. Often people fail to see the spirit behind the attraction and merely hold on to the outer shell. And the moment you try to possess the shell, you will see Krishna has played a trick and you will be left with an empty shell in your hands and tears in your eyes.

The mind moves towards beauty, joy and truth. Krishna tells Arjuna, ”I am the beauty in the Beautiful, the strength in the Strong, the wisdom in the Wise.” Be clever like Radha – don’t be tricked by Krishna. Krishna could not escape from Radha, for, her whole world was filled with Krishna. If you can see that wherever there is an attraction, there is Krishna; then you are Radha, you are in your centre.

The epithet, “the most hated person in America,” has been aptly attributed to none other than Osama Bin Laden. Many psychoanalysts have developed personality evaluations of him. Graphologists have noted that his large-size signature, especially when it is compared to his smaller, Arabic writing, reflects an enormous ego. He is also depressed and feels undervalued, indicated by the descending end stroke of his signature. Psychoanalysts and graphologists agree that having an enormous ego, yet feeling truly undervalued, triggered his depression. Like other, less notorious sociopaths, he takes his hatred out on society.

The first round shaped letter in his signature is encircled several times, reflecting the feeling that he is living in a world of his own imagination. Bin Laden is trying to protect himself by not allowing anyone in. He is extremely egocentric. His heavy-pressured writing reveals an above-average libido as well as intense anger. The fact that he repeatedly encircles his ego also reveals with pressure reflects intense frustration with self.

The graphological interpretation of this type of personality is that he would be likely to exhibit animosity. However, there are many people who possess similar styles of writings and they do not wage war on society. Is there some other factor in addition to Bin Ladin’s handwriting that reflects the difference? In the same fashion that his written signature projects his anger and animosity, so, too, is the revealing visual of his signature weapon, the Kalatchnikov rifle.

Many graphologists have stated that the Western rules of analyzing handwriting do not apply to Arabic. Generally, this is correct. Size, pressure, etc., can also be analyzed. One’s country of origin must be taken into consideration for an accurate graphological evaluation. Two identical writings of different people from different regions of the world may have different meanings.

A Middle Easterner’s signature, regardless of whether a Western graphologist can analyze it, does broadcast the writer’s personality. Preoccupation with profession and lifestyle are frequently symbolized in the signature. The deciphering of such symbols is important for psychologists and psychiatrists.

Certain graphologists, particularly the internationally known Rafael Schermann, have concentrated on this aspect of graphology. Understanding the politics and religions of the region into which Osama Bin Laden was born and raised assist in the understanding and interpretation of his signature and textual writings.

Psychoanalysts, taking into account the intense hatred that Bin Laden possesses, recognize that he will try to strike again. Graphological ethics preclude predictions.

Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are…Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu, 44

How many times have we all told ourselves or informed our friends, therapists, spouses, ministers, total strangers, it’s so hard to be me? We habitually repeat internal mantras like: My life seems to be so much harder than most everybody else’s. It looks as if things are going so well for all those people out there. Why does my life have to be so difficult? I really try hard, and then look what I get for it. If only I were wealthier, better looking, slimmer, younger, taller, shorter…

To be sure, there is an enormous amount of real emotional pain that almost all of us experience. While we listen to our ego-driven mind telling us of the inevitability of pain, we remain unaware that there are simple solutions. We are the key. Everyone understands the “hard life” thought pattern:

• I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.
• I’ve got being miserable down pat.
• Just when I think I’m happy, something happens.
• Life hurts.

These incessant mantras roll through our minds without our conscious participation. The illusions have enormous momentum, constantly feeding unresolved emotional pain, enabling it to thrive. This routine of nourishing emotional pain is obviously not in our best interests.

Internal unresolved emotional pain (trauma, energetic junk) is a common human condition, causing most of our living problems. Most of us acceptemotional pain as a necessary life ingredient. We are conditioned to somehow cope with it, to work around it, knuckle-under, stiff upper lip and all that.

The sole function of the ego is to continue to exist. The ego exists only in the world of form. Here’s how our minds enable our egos. When asked who we are, we habitually identify ourselves as the story of the person that our mind tells us we are. To illustrate: I have variously described myself as a husband, father, grandfather, U.S. citizen, actor, singer, college graduate, pilot, Nam-vet, Caucasian, of Irish/German heritage and so forth (and that’s just some of the good stuff). We all could go on for hours describing ourselves and never run out of descriptions. Try it! In reality, we never even come close to the magnificence of who we are.

These mind created identities keep us trapped in the bondage of our egos. We define ourselves as the sum total of all our experiences, all our thoughts, our stories, illusions, genetic codes, religion, politics, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, career, etc., etc. In reality, those descriptions actually perpetuate our slavery to form-based reality.

There are simple solutions to this “hard life” pain pattern. These do not involve the mind. Energetic problems require energetic solutions. Energy healing programs bring us awareness that we are Spirit. We are Beings, occupying this human form. The ego and mind find life only in the earth-bound human. They know nothing of Being. Spirit defines our essential nature, one that we share with all creation and beyond…Pure Awareness.

In Pure Awareness, the livin’ is easy.

First, there is the field of complete consciousness.

This then expresses itself in an organic form.

From here it loses itself in organizing the physical environment around it.

It begins to split into mind, and mind then splits into ego, and ego then believes itself the origin of consciousness.

As ego, arising from thoughts of limitations, fractures itself against obstacles, it develops what Eckhart Tolle calls the pain-body.

The pain-body then becomes an unconscious entity within. It seeks to feed on pain to survive. It makes a person feel pain and it causes this person to inflict pain on others.

After the pain-body strikes out, it tends to propagate. Soon armies are formed and war propagated. Mind itself now works in service to the pain-body.

The past two world wars are an expression of the pain-body in complete domination.

Release from the pain-body comes from observing the mind; observing how it takes a feeling, becomes identified completely with it, and thinks and acts out that feeling.

This witnessing is separation from the pain-body, disidentifying from it. When this happens, the light of awareness begins to dissolve the pain. One sees this shadow entity for what it is, an accumulation of past hurts, an expression of renegade life-force particles.

Witnessing is recognizing the self to be other than egoic mental and emotional turbulence. It is a return to recognition of the awareness that propagates thinking, which is a small part of consciousness.

Witnessing is placing the conscious in the moment and observing it express itself through mentation.

Recognizing oneself as the author of mind and not the outcome of mind removes the automation that goes along with a belief in determinism, which in turn arises because of the belief that mind arises out of matter.

This is the movement referred to as spirituality, and it is a movement toward wholeness.

Spirituality itself can be confusing because of the elaborate expressions on what it is; but, in its essence, it is an attempt to return to wholeness.

Wholeness, it will be discovered, canâEUR(TM)t be fragmented.

Wholeness is a return to identification with the origin of creation; a return to contemplation of the field of consciousness itself; a return to what is referred to as God, Beingness, or Spirit.

Our journey in life is a journey toward freedom, identifying with what it real, which arises from pure subjectivity, the implicate order. Our entrapment in the explicate order is by virtue of unconsciousness about the pain-body.