Practical Wisdom Blog
“When you enter into issues deeply you start to see where they all meet - war, politics, activism, sports, business, teaching, parenting, spirituality. It is only in going to that deep, spiritual space that we can start to sort out the answers. The answers come from a more connected place than the differences. They come from sameness. Black or white, war or peace, right or wrong, it is only when we come from an experience of our oneness with others that we can unravel our differences.”
Larry Holmes
Larry Holmes talks about the philosophy of yoga.
My first book
I am writing my first book to accompany talks and presentations I do in the United States of America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. I have been encouraged to write a book by many people impacted by my work. After thirty years continuing my practices, testing their efficacy and teaching others how to apply the same powerful, transformational approaches to themselves and their organizations, now is the time to write my story in response to these requests. From college basketball player, to studying the mysteries of the mind and the mystical practices of yoga and meditation, I have learned to share with others profound practical wisdom about life.
Meme McDonald is my co-writer and we believe the book we are writing will be an engaging to read as well as containing powerful teachings.
Themes we are focusing on are:
- the difference between spirituality and religion.
- how to break the mental shackles of race, religion, politics and war and find the freedom we all seek.
- how to reach beyond the gravitational pull of limiting circumstances.
- how to find purpose and identity as a student keeping hold of your dreams; as an athlete shooting for the big league; as an activist wanting to change the world; as an army veteran longing for peace and reconciliation; as a householder balancing priorities between family and self; as an executive or politician leading others; or as a seeker wanting answers to the big questions of life.
- how to embrace transformation that beckons us to be the best we can be.
As we progress with the writing, I intend to share short stories and anecdotes from the book on my blog.
Click here for more of my background
I was born in 1946 in Neptune, New Jersey of African American parents originally from the South. From the Civil Rights Movement to the Vietnam War, I lived through times that ‘were a changing’.
At the peak of the US military involvement in Vietnam, I was drafted. This is when I woke up to the power of the mind. I pledged, if I survived the army, and that wasn’t a given, I was going to make this life my own.
As an athlete, I learned that the mind controls the body. As a soldier, I learned to change my thinking to survive. As an African American radical, I learned to speak my mind. You can take off your uniform but you can’t take off your skin. As a monk, I learned to live not as a warrior athlete or soldier or radical, but as a peaceful servant of the inner Self.
From college basketball player, to studying the mysteries of the mind and the mystical practices of yoga and meditation, I have learned to share with others profound practical wisdom about life.
I have been a corporate consultant, mentor and confidante to leaders in business, government, education, sport and the arts. I teach and coach leaders and teams in the areas of organizational change and learning, corporate leadership, and individual and team development.
My experience in the field of individual and organizational development goes back to the early 70’s. I am a graduate of the University of Michigan in psychology, sociology, and urban studies, with postgraduate studies in group dynamics, and educational psychology.
I believe, as my Mindsports technique demonstrates: "A Conscious athlete can become a High Performing Athlete".
A Conscious athlete demonstrates these five qualities and characteristics: