What is learning? Why bother with it? As I've gotten a bit older, these questions have surfaced, and they seem important to really consider in moving into new stages of life. How I would answer it in high school would be different from how I'd answer it in college, and both would be different from how I'm answering it now as a bit more of a mature (but still young) adult. Going through grade school, despite the best efforts of many teachers and parents, we tend to view "learning" as a process of consuming and memorizing information given to us by an outside source, and there are expectations associated with how much we "should know". This outside source is usually a parent, schoolteacher, or resource used by such a person in our lives. They often do it with good intentions- to show us something about how the world works or reveal to us a potential area of interest that could turn into a career some day. However, in practice, it often becomes a bit of a stressful experience- especially nowadays with so much information on the internet coming from different sources. "Learning" can seem like a chore or just something to get through rather than something that we do based on an internal drive to figure something out that's helpful for ourselves and/or other people in our lives. Because of this, in my own life, I'm seriously making a transition towards looking at learning as a process of "incorporating relevant information and making use of it when the time is right". This way of looking at it implies that learning is less about memorization and more about integration of information into how we look at life and the use of it to do things that are important. What's great is that "things that are important" does not only apply to what others expect us to know, but what we genuinely want to know or be able to do. This also suggests that there is an emotional connection to what is being learned, and so it means more and is more likely to stick. For example, when I was around 18, my typical approach to learning information would be to take an assigned reading or a random book that caught my eye and go through it in a linear way. There was not much of an awareness of the purpose of my reading or how I may make use of the information in my day-to-day. Instead, a better approach seems to be asking myself "what is relevant here?" or "what is actually going to be helpful for me or someone in my life?". This not only changes the content I take in, but also the potential of that content to make a positive difference for me or someone I discuss it with. Examples could include: -Reading a dense hundred-page book about music theory cover-to-cover versus identifying the styles used by your favorite artist and focusing on the theory needed to learn how to play or produce that kind of music. -Reading a ten page article about the role of a certain nutrient in the body versus pursuing the answer to a certain question about that nutrient that’s relevant for helping you you resolve a personal health challenge- such as headaches or not feeling satisfied after meals. -Taking a business course with tens of modules and watching every minute to soak in all the information versus reflecting on which aspects of your company you most need to focus on and honing in on the most relevant modules- taking notes and asking questions of people with more expertise along the way.

I once read a book called "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman when I was around 21. The story's main character is a young man who is a college-level gymnast. It begins as he is going through his trials and tribulations as a university student- dealing with his studies, training, and relationships. He especially has challenges meeting his own lofty expectations and puts a lot of pressure on himself. At one point, he meets an older gentleman who works at a gas station. To his eye, this guy lives a very ordinary life and there is nothing of particular interest going on. However, this guy acts in sort of a bizarre way and catches the main character's attention. They eventually begin talking and spending time together. The older guy begins asking the main character some penetrating and unexpected questions, and he is forced to reflect and reconsider some of his opinions. Over the course of the story, his views of what he thought his life was all about and what would make him satisfied begin to break down. His approach to his studies, training, and everything shift towards an emphasis on presence rather than waiting for a certain outcome to be satisfied. Towards the end, he begins to notice in his friends that they're constant "waiting for the day I'll be happy" is actually a bit silly and contrary to what life could actually be. The eccentric guy from the gas station gradually takes things further and begins introducing spiritual concepts from the East- such as "satori". He says that the only reason that Dan (the main character's name, which is based on the author of the book), enjoys certain activities is that they bring him into an intense state of presense, which can also give rise to intense bliss/happiness. He goes to the extreme and says that the ultimate "goal of life" is to be in this state as much as possible without needing much to get there. The main character, a lot like me at the time, saw this proposition as confusing and contrary to how we had been taught to approach becoming satisfied in our lives. However, certain experiences begin to break down the mental confusion and allow more space for an actually better understanding. The main character has many such experiences and is able to do better in his involvements than ever before without needing to pin his happiness to achieving particular outcomes. He just focuses and prepares well when it's time to. This book is full of paradoxes but is a profound story that definitely changed how I look at what would bring me happiness and satisfaction.

The organic cycle describes the natural cycle of consumption, growth, decay, and death that occurs in living systems. To simplify the process and reach a solid baseline understanding, you can look at it as having four main aspects: Soil/Microorganisms, Plants, Animals, and Man. The soil is the foundation of the organic cycle (literally and figuratively), as it contains the microorganisms that recycle all other organic "matter" and allow it to be transformed into living organisms once again. Plants feed directly on the nutrients present in the soil and also draw water from under the ground to meet their biological needs. If the nutrient profiles are good in the soil, so will the quality of life of the plants in that area. Plants also grow towards the Sun, as they utilize the powerful electromagnetic energy from it to initiate their process of energy production in their cells (photosynthesis). When plants decay and die, their components return to the soil to be broken down and transformed into new life later. Many animals feed directly on plants, and so the nutrients that originated in the soil have now moved from the plants to them. There is a huge diversity of animals- with some feeding exclusively on plants (herbivores), some feeding almost exclusively on other animals (carnivores), and some feeding on a combination of both (omnivores). However, all animals must draw their resources from other organisms and cannot directly use the Sun's energy to meet all of their biological needs. Similar to plants, when animals die, their body parts decay and return to the soil. Finally, there are humans- the most controversial aspect of all in this cycle. Humans could be classified as another type of animal, but we are getting our own category because of our unique intelligence and ability to influence all other aspects of the cycle. Humans obviously feed on both plants and animals, and our intelligence (and advanced technologies) enables us to dictate the course of many other species and even degrade the environment around us. That said, when our bodies die, we ultimately return to the soil and are a part of the cycle like everything else (excluding cremations and other ceremonies that we do nowadays). With this basic understanding, we can see how all life feeds on other life and gain an appreciation for how what we do can affect the living environment all around us.

Self-defense training is a great form of physical exercise for men and women that not only benefits your physical fitness, but also helps you experience a sense of community and develop practical abilities. These can help you feel better in your own skin in various situations and learn more about what you and others are capable of. I admittedly took quite a while off from having a regular exercise routine, but recently began training at a local martial arts studio to broaden my horizons and do something different for exercise. So far, it has just been a combination of basic striking training (based on boxing and Tae Kwon Do), as well as some escape-type maneuvers that capitalize on common pressure points. Simply going to the gym and doing sets of different exercise has not really been inspiring for quite some time, and this has been the perfect way to "mix things up". It has been a great lesson so far simultaneously in diligence and humility. To have any success in learning new techniques, you have to be conscious of your body and be consistent enough to not only internalize new information, but also let go of things you are doing that are not helpful. For example, dropping your hands during a punch may be natural for a beginner to generate power, but it is not the most effective should you actually be engaged in some form of combat. Also, there are many people who know much more than you and have more skills, so it's important to put your pride aside at times and accept where you could use improvement. You also realize your own vulnerability, and you can better empathize with others because you realize they are also plenty vulnerable. Having just taken initial steps on this journey, I do not speak from a place of deep knowledge, but I can express these thoughts on how it's seemed valuable- as well as how it could be beneficial to anyone who gives this kind of training an earnest try.

Since ending any engagement with pornography and masturbation, one of the most noticeable changes I have experienced is a build up of emotional energy, which can be channeled into various creative endeavors. It seems that the practice of semen retention is a gateway to allowing the body's energies to naturally flow and expand, which encourages better quality of life and more creative potential. Various resources explain this by saying it allows Chi/Qi/Prana to move past the first couple of energy centers (chakras) and energize higher ones, such as the solar plexus, heart, throat, and mind's eye. When this happens, more human potential is activated and thus various benefits result. Because of our intense yearning for sexual connection and the prevalence of the internet, though, there is a tendency to get caught in behaviors that prevent this natural expansion from happening. Another aspect is that semen contains valuable minerals and other nutrients (such as phosphorous and zinc), which can be reabsorbed into the body if semen is conserved rather than released. This fuels the organs- such as the brain- and helps the body function better. If the body has enough essential nutrients, it means that it won't be in a state of deficiency and the individual will experience a better quality of life for it. In terms of specific personal benefits, the heightened physical and emotional awareness has translated to a better ability to focus while reading and writing, doing artistic projects, and exercising (among other things). I can plan my day better, come up with better ideas, and follow through on things better without feeling as sluggish as time goes on. And this is not just about my personal story... many guys (including famous athletes and intellectuals like Muhammed Ali and Nikola Tesla) have espoused being more consious about their sexual energies as integral to their success and growth. Much information I've shared here I got from a book called "The Semen Retention Miracle" by Joseph Peterson- which goes all over the map to explain semen retention as an ancient practice rooted in spiritual traditions and as a modern movement towards helping men access more of their potential. If it seems interesting, there is no reason not to give this a try and see how it can help you overcome challenges and live a better life!

Karma yoga (in my interpretation) is a spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the importance of right action and service through one's daily conduct as a path to fulfillment. If one clings too much to the "fruits" of their actions, they risk causing themselves unnecessary pain and suffering. This is because we can control which activities we engage in and our reasons for why, but we cannot control all the external factors involved, such as how much money we earn or how much praise we get from others. The three gunas in Hinduism describe three fundamental aspects of human beings that are present in each of us to varying degrees. It is said that as long as we live in samsara (the material world), we will have to deal with the presence of all three in ourselves and others. The three gunas include: 1. Sattva, which signifies harmony and goodness 2. Rajas, which signifies passion and striving 3. Tamas, which signifies ignorance and darkness By focusing on Sattva in one's conduct as much as possible and recognizing excesses of Rajas and Tamas, it is said that we can come closer to fulfillment in life and reduce our suffering tremendously. This seems to explain what the goal of karma yoga is. If we do our best to be honest and in harmony, we are in alignment with the unity of things, and if we are too bound to our passions or are too ignorant in certain areas of life, it can hold us back. I obviously can't verify this is true, but ultimately someone who masters karma yoga is described as being able to transcend the cycle of death and rebirth on Earth and not take on another human life.

After many years of formal schooling (K-12 and college) and experience as a one-on-one tutor, I felt inspired to share some reflections on the benefits and limitations of academic learning. By "academic learning", I mean the study of specific information from books and lectures, the internalization of that information, and the re-iteration of that information on quizzes and tests. Here is a summary of some benefits of this kind of learning based on my experience, as well as limitations that I believe should be realized in order to discover deeper meaning and come closer to realizing one's potential. These benefits and limitations are not exhaustive, but they can prove helpful nonetheless: Benefits 1. Information Processing - We learn to deal with large quantities of information and hone in on important facts. 2. Logical Thinking - We gain the ability to connect ideas in a linear/logical sequence based on cause and effect or if-then reasoning. 3. Discipline - We learn to discipline ourselves and focus on a topic for a long period of time until we learn as much as we think we should or want to. Limitations 1. Creative Expression - Seeking to internalize and re-iterate specific information leaves little time for creative thought and expression, and creativity is an essential aspect of staying inspired and living a meaningful life. 2. Personal Relevance - A heavy emphasis on theory tends to not connect to us or inspire us on a personal level based on our life circumstances. Topics that are more relevant to us personally will tend to be more engaging, and so their study provides us more benefit. 3. Interconnectedness of Subjects - With our learning divided amongst specific courses for so long, we can lose touch with how different subjects are different aspects of life- which is very much interconnected. The ability to break down unnecessary divisions seems essential for growth. 4. First-hand Observation - Too much reading for specific information de-emphasizes the value of making our own observations of how things work and following our curiosity. There is nothing wrong with reading or hearing others' interpretations of events and phenomena, but making observations first-hand and asking relevant questions is very important as well.

The "4 Doctors" concept, based on the work of author and health expert Paul Chek, helps you look at your health in a well-rounded way. The "4 Doctors" are Diet, Quiet, Movement, and Happiness, and each of these can be seen as key aspects to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. "Dr. Diet" refers to one's nutrition and hydration, "Dr. Quiet" refers to one's time for resting and sleeping, "Dr. Movement" refers to exercise, and "Dr. Happiness" refers to one's personal interests and aspirations that bring happiness. By keeping these aspects of your lifestyle in balance, you are more likely to feel better day-to-day and avoid serious health issues. These concepts are discussed in detail in the eBook "The Last 4 Doctors You'll Ever Need!", which also provides information linking lifestyle to sustainable environmental practices and spirituality.