SHAO-LIN CENTER NEWSLETTER
Celebrating our 12th year – 1996 to 2008
9 AUGUST 2008 Generally speaking, courage is not
something that only appears when
Quotes of the month: you put on armor, take up
weapons, and fight in combat. The
It is God who arms me with difference between the courageous
strength and makes my way and the cowardly can be seen in
perfect. everyday life.
Psalm 18:32 Code of the Samurai
Whatever ye shall ask in prayer, AN ANALOGY
believing, ye shall receive.
By Master Sifu Frank Versagi
Matthew 21:22
The example I use is true. Of
All that we are is a result of what course this analogy is simply my
we have thought. take on this particular scenario.
Buddha I try not to cut down trees
anymore, unless I absolutely have
Imagination is everything; it is the to; then I burn the wood and
preview of life‟s coming recycle it back to nature. So I was
attractions. quite appalled at my neighbor who
cut down four beautiful, fully
Albert Einstein blossomed trees in his front yard.
When I asked why, he proudly
Within the body there are billions proclaimed he was now getting a
of different particles. Similarly, new satellite dish and he needed
there are many different thoughts clear air space around his house to
and a variety of states of mind. It receive a better signal, so now he
is wise to take a close look into the can get 150 TV stations. As much
world of your mind and to make as I wanted to break one of his
the distinction between beneficial limbs, of course I did not. We
and harmful states of mind. Once only use our martial skills when
you can recognize the value of we absolutely have to.
good states of mind, you can His act, however, fueled this
increase or foster them. analogy, so perhaps by a
somewhat circuitous route it had a
Dalai Lama, Book of Wisdom purpose. This issue‟s Quotes of
Editor in Chief: Master Sifu Frank Versagi, sifufrank@shao-lin.net; 440 716 5425
SHAO-LIN CENTER NEWSLETTER
Celebrating our 12th year – 1996 to 2008
the Month point to your mind as animal protein foods. The need is
being one of your most valuable highly exaggerated as only 16% of
assets, and it takes courage to have our body is protein. The answer to
a strong mind, not a mind the question is very simple. We
controlled by outside inputs. The first need to understand that pure
trees in my neighbor‟s front yard protein is primarily nitrogen, with
could be likened to what the oxygen, hydrogen, and some
Chinese refer to as the monkey carbon. We all know we get a
mind. A busy, always chattering large share of our oxygen and
mind, pounding out hundreds of hydrogen needs from the air, along
thoughts within a day with no rest with some carbon. There is four
in sight, and blocking your good times the amount of nitrogen in the
reception; not a good thing. The same air as there is oxygen,
mind must rest at times, just as the hydrogen, and carbon combined.
body needs its rest. Prayer or Since we are able to utilize and
meditation could be compared to assimilate a large amount of our
cutting down the trees; they clear needs of these elements into our
the mind of clutter and give your bodies, we are able to assimilate
thoughts a rest, or focus your and build the nitrogen also into our
thoughts on one particular function bodies as protein. This is done by
as opposed to a dozen things at natural bacteria action which is
once. Think about it: When is the capable of converting it to our use.
last time you just sat still and From the combination of the best
prayed or meditated; probably not of foods and clean air we are able
as often as you hit that remote and to create our own amino acids, just
turn on the TV. Cut down the as well as the animals do. We
trees around your mind, clear the never try to feed amino acids to the
path, and receive all the signals the animals. Thus we are able to
universe has to offer you. More eliminate the need for toxic dead
meditation equals less medication. animal flesh and have no further
need to worry about our constant
How Do I Get My Protein? source of protein. Eat only the
best variety of fruits, berries, nuts,
From the Master Cleanse 10-day vegetables, seed, and sprouted
Fasting Program, contributed by seeds for a further complete source
tai chi and kung-fu student Tom of protein. People who smoke
Fabek. cannot pick up the nitrogen from
the air so easily, but will still get
Often the question is asked about enough from proper food without
the need for amino acids, and the use of animal flesh. For your
Editor in Chief: Master Sifu Frank Versagi, sifufrank@shao-lin.net; 440 716 5425
SHAO-LIN CENTER NEWSLETTER
Celebrating our 12th year – 1996 to 2008
well-being, however, elimination landscaping job. He graduated from Bay
of smoking is a must. Many Village High School and then attended
the Maharishi University of
people believe that eating meat
Management in Fairfield, Iowa for one
gives them strength. If this is so, year. He studied “Sustainable Living”
then why are the strongest animals for an environmental science major, but
in the world vegetarians? Did you left after finding the school‟s philosophy
ever stop to think that the animals not as open-minded as he had hoped. He
you do eat are vegetarian? Where is continuing his college education at
Baldwin Wallace in Berea this Fall.
did they get their strength? All the
meat eating animals find it When did Paul begin training? “I
necessary to sleep 16 to 18 hours went with my Dad (Tom, who also trains
daily because of excess toxins. at our school) to a Tai Chi class in
The meat eating animals live a Lakewood about 2 and half years ago
very short life. God has supplied and that got me interested.
He then attended a Kung Fu class with
such a bountiful supply of fresh,
his Dad and now Paul and Tom both
wholesome food that there is never train in both disciplines.
a need to kill an animal for its
more toxic flesh in our modern Why does he train? “I get different
civilization. benefits from both Tai Chi and Kung
Fu,” Paul said. “Tai Chi is very
relaxing, helps me increase my internal
Student focus: Paul Fabek, as energy and understand more of the
interviewed by Charlotte energy side of martial arts, the spiritual
Michael Versagi side. It makes me feel really good when
the class is over.” Of Kung Fu, Paul
said, “I enjoy the practical application
and learning how to defend myself, very
important. And I like to train hard – and
I like to sweat.”
Are there skills he’s learned that he
applies to his life outside training?
“Training has given me more discipline
and respect for other people,” Paul said.
“It has helped me to control my mind
more because I‟ve had issues. I have
obsessive compulsive disorder, not being
Paul Michael Fabek, 19, is the Featured able to control your mind. I really think
Student for August. that martial arts and meditation have
helped me to control myself rather than
Paul, a 1st Degree Green Sash, lives with have this „thing‟ control me.”
his grandparents in Bay Village during
the Summer to be closer to his
Editor in Chief: Master Sifu Frank Versagi, sifufrank@shao-lin.net; 440 716 5425
SHAO-LIN CENTER NEWSLETTER
Celebrating our 12th year – 1996 to 2008
What was hardest for him when he Gatorade, anything you can
first started training? In Tai Chi, Paul
said, “Just catching onto the whole idea spare. Thank you.
of what you‟re actually doing; not just -----
moving around and relaxing -- there‟s
another step beyond that of what you are
doing; opening up your energy channels, If you’re interested in an
etc.” In Kung Fu, Paul said the most excellent source of local,
difficult skill for him remains, “During a
test and at other times, being able to national, and international
„zone out‟ when I‟m put on the spot and information covering quite an
just act like I‟m the only person there
and focus.” array of topics, go to
www.versagivoice.com.
What are Paul’s training goals? “I‟d
really like to someday be a Black Sash at
Sifu‟s school; that would really be I think you’ll find this site
awesome. Getting your Black Sash is a extremely informative.
very honorable achievement, and I also
wanted to add that another goal is to
always have martial arts play a role in TESTING RESULTS:
my life.”
Any final thoughts? “I have to say I Children’s kung-fu:
really feel privileged, very thankful that
my Dad was at the school and I started
doing this.” Brett Basch, Blake Basch,
1st Degree Brown Sash;
Branden Heise, Ethan Heise,
NEWS NOTES White Sash. Both pairs of
brothers are rocking. Way to
Next chi-gung and
go, gentlemen.
meditation sessions are
Sunday, August 31; and
Adult kung-fu:
Sunday, September 7,
11:00 a.m. to Noon.
Paul Fabek, 1st Degree Green
Everyone is welcome. We
Sash; Tony Collette, Orange
would ask for a small donation
Sash; Van Tran, Dan Tran,
to the school to help out: 5 or
Yellow Sash; Charlotte
10 dollars or some paper
Versagi, 1st Degree White
towels, TP, Lysol, green tea,
Sash; Randy Torboli, Kelsey
Editor in Chief: Master Sifu Frank Versagi, sifufrank@shao-lin.net; 440 716 5425
SHAO-LIN CENTER NEWSLETTER
Celebrating our 12th year – 1996 to 2008
Torboli, Dan Riebel, Al improve the “good brain chemicals”,
envision a more peaceful world and
Hier, Adam Campbell, White drastically alter the way we perceive the
Sash. Busy month. Great job world by using two simple techniques
that will lower stress – and save our
done by all. lives.
These accessible techniques can help
----- you manage pain, lower your blood
pressure, lower your perception of pain,
Stress by any other name… lower your anxiety, give your body
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One problem with “stress” is that the more peaceful, productive life.
word itself no longer fits the seriousness Clinical Massage and Tai Chi. Were
of the condition. If it were called you expecting something more exotic?
something more medically complicated Not necessary. Clinical massage, as
– like “sticky blood manufacturer” or offered by Charlotte Versagi, a seasoned
“immune system destroyer” -- it might professional, and the ancient martial art
be taken more seriously. But fast-food called Tai Chi, offered by Sifu Frank
employees complain of “stress” as do Versagi -- both available almost every
brain surgeons so its very commonplace day at the school -- - are affordable,
existence has watered down the hard proven, gentle, life-enhancing
core fact: Stress paralyzes, techniques that can reduce pain, reduce
compromises, and kills Americans. anxiety and make you a more peaceful
Long-term studies by physicians, human being. Both techniques set up a
psychiatrists and psychologists have profound state of relaxation and balance
proven that stress actually alters brain and can save your life by reducing your
chemicals, blood components, behavior, stress level. No drugs. No surgery. Just
pain-perception, the efficacy of drugs, you and your mind. What a powerful
the path a disease will take and even the idea.
time at which one will die. “Stress”, just
that little word, does all that. For more information or to make an
And what “does all that” is the power of appointment, call Charlotte Versagi,
what we think. How we perceive the 440-213-6506.
world, our relationships, our work,
ourselves affect our stress level. We can VISIT OUR COOL WEBSITE
just as easily raise our blood pressure www.shao-lin.net
(“He pulled in front of me driving that
fast!”), compromise our healing process Shao-lin Center for Martial Arts
(“I always get migraine headaches this
26406 Lorain Road,
time of the month.”) or thicken our
blood making us predisposed to clots (“I North Olmsted OH 44070
hate this job.”) as we can do the 440 716 5425
opposite.
It is possible, by using gentle mental and sifufrank@shao-lin.net
physical activities, to boost our ability to
fight disease, lower our blood pressure, COPYRIGHT@SCMA@2008
Editor in Chief: Master Sifu Frank Versagi, sifufrank@shao-lin.net; 440 716 5425