The U.S. looks to be losing a deadly battle that may very well cost you more than you can begin to imagine - more than you care to think about.

This relentless assault is not from terrorists, the bird-flu nor even a foreign enemy. It's originating from within our very own borders - being brought upon us by our neighbors, our friends, our very own families and perhaps even yourself.

This battle we are losing is rapidly costing us our health, our wealth and ultimately our strength as a country.

The media likes to call it "the obesity epidemic" and many proclaimed experts have found a convenient scape-goat, blaming the spiraling out of control weight problem on fast-food.

To me that's like blaming the shortage of fossil fuels on the dinosaurs. On come now... it seems pretty clear to me that I am the one who loves my cars, relishes a warm home and jets about on fuel guzzling airplanes. And I'm not alone...

It's absolutely true that the rapid rise in obesity related medical spending by our government parallels the rise in fast-food consumption. To suggest that nolink exists between gi-normous-people and fat-promoting food would be ignorant.

What I am suggesting is that neither McDonald's nor any of the other fast-food empires is to blame for our critical condition.  The problem, hence the solution, resides within each of us. You, me and the person next to you are infinitely more powerful in your world, in your life than the billions in advertising that fast-food companies spend each year.

The questions for you to contemplate are: Do you know this to be true? And do you exercise your freedom?

Do you live a life of freedom, enjoying vibrant health and endless energy - the rewards of eating balanced, healthy foods; regular intense exercise and a steady flow of positive mental energy?

Or do you suffer constant cravings, act a slave to diets and feel every temptation corporate America offers to entice you to trade your freedom (and hard earned money) for short lived happiness...adding another brick to the prison wall?

Fast-food companies are simply actors in our drama. They did NOT "do this to us."


Sure, we've had some help but ultimately the "golden arches" only serves you what YOU ask for. Holding them accountable is a way to avoid responsibility. It's no solution.

Diets are not the answer, in fact they're actually a contributor to the problem. They amount to little more than a temporary surge of unsustainablewillpower resulting in "degrees of failure."

Diets keep you locked in the dance of resistance which is anything but freedom.

The only TRUE FREEDOM resides inside you - within your True Power which begins with an awakening, and is fueled by small steps and steady mindfulness.

Freedom is about developing mastery - not have "mastered" (i.e. control). Mastery is a a way
of BEING - not a destination - as great artists, leaders and gurus have expounded upon for centuries.

When you have a mastery of your health, of eating, of training, of your mind you will be free from the struggle, resistance and temptation.

Then and only then, you will know the freedom of your true strength.

It's not the easiest path but it's the only true path to lasting freedom, clarity and strength.

So I ask you... no, I urge you, to choose freedom today. Exchange a, "No!," to temptation with a loud and glorious "Yes!!," to health, to energy, to your life at full strength.

Eat healthy balanced meals when your body needs the fuel - not when your mind needs entertainment. Get up and do something - exercise or better yet, train with focus and intensity.

Forge your vessel for service, the body you've been given to help others, until it's a strong and useful tool for good - or better yet, GREATNESS.

And if you can't find the motivation to take that first step, if you don't see yourself as worthy of this freedom or inspired to mastery, do it not for yourself but for others.

Choose freedom, choose strength, take a step towards freedom and mastery for your family, for your friends and for your country - for the world!

For it is beyond question that we can never obtain a healthy, strong country if we neglect the inner world and don't cultivate strength within ourselves.

A healthy, free and strong America for yourself and your children begins with the culitvation of your true strength.

This day is coming to a close...it's nearly midnight on September 11th and the thought flickers through my mind, “does that mean we can all be happy again?”

Yes, as you know it’s the anniversary of the day that “changed everything.” I’ve done a good job paying attention and respect but not being drawn in to excess. I took in a few of the early morning reminders and talked about that morning with Angie while all the while seeking to limit our son’s (who was not yet born or even conceived that day) exposure to the trauma.

I didn’t let the day pass lightly nor have I been carried away as I tend to dismiss some of the energy as antics of the media, who are so unfortunately required to amplify “reality” and yank any emotional string we might dare make available. There seems to be no line they can not justifiably cross.

All was well, I was journaling and closing my day when I stumbled upon a TLC show, a behind the scenes retrospective on that fateful day. Okay, put a fork in me… I was done.

Watching this I didn’t feel like a voyeur – it was informative and captivating. The tension was real, not generated. I learned a lot about 9-11 from this show – about the happenings behind the scenes, about the people who were watching this happen, the F-15 pilots who were minutes late and still would not have been allowed to shoot the airliners down, about the descent which pushed the limits of the airliner itself… about the air traffic controllers… it was intense and personal.

The shock and awe (seems like an accurate description) of that day all comes rushing back as I watched the day unravel again culminating in the collapse of the towers; first the south then the north tower. It was truly sickening. Even now, five years later, it’s beyond my comprehension. I literally sat, mouth wide open and knew that I still can see it and not fully receive it as real.

This does not change my views on the desperate media and the service they can do along with the unfortunate disservice they often must do… but it did fully change my feelings, my views on how we should or may recognize this day / event. Seeing it reminded me that we should all be reminded of it – we should see it, expose ourselves. Not to arise anger and join the army (unless that it what you want to do and then, hell yes. Do it). But rather to be reminded of what is possible for man to do to man. To see it, to feel it is to awaken the potential for real, powerful action in each of us. Let us take this focused attack and harness the infinite power it has ignited in us and redirect it in the service of our lives, of all that is good…

Energy is energy… witnessing others suffering, feeling your own reaction to it can be source of great energy. How you channel it makes all the difference.

[July 17, 2006 : HELP NEEDED]

I need your help.

Wait! Let me try that again... "Will you spare three minutes of your time to answer one question that could help to change the health and well being of this country, and the world?"

How You Can Help

It's really very simple and what's more, I'll bet you find it enjoyable. What I need is the answer to one question - okay, one question with two parts but the first part barely counts. Really...

The Question: What book (aka words of wisdom) has had the greatest (think most dramatic, apparent, visible, real, observable, felt...) life altering impact on you in the last 5 years?

Simple enough, right?

Please give this your most serious contemplation. I'm not talking about the book you most enjoyed reading, the one that most touched your heart or made you laugh. I'm not discounting entertainment but I really need to know what has broke through and stuck with you.

"What's my answer?" In a moment I shall share... for practice.

The Question Part II: "How did this book change your life?"
Please share how the wisdom of the book you've noted, changed your life. What happened after you read it and how has that impact stayed with you over time?

Please, be as specific and concrete as you can. I'm looking for more than "loved it!," or "opened my eyes to the world!"

For example, in my business life I've read more books than I can recall but in the last 5 years, the most powerful, transformative book for me, the one that stands out is Good to Great,  by Jim Collins.

Why? It's not been a catalyst for radical success - that would be an unfair tool to judge it by. What G2G has done is:

• Given a structure to concepts I had a concept of, or could sort of see
• Given be a language to share these concepts with others. I don't have to explain the economic engine for two days, it's now what it is. Everyone knows or pretends they do. 
• It's given me real concrete measurable - creating some science to the "art of business."
• Provided me with clarity about what matters most and where to focus my energy
• It's provided me with a belief that if I can see these things, if I can "do as these have" I too can do it.
• (this is a short list, example...)

Email me on my ZAADZ email or make a comment -- whatever works.

The "Level-5 Urgency" of the Situation

As I write this email, I am sitting on the 41st floor of the Mandarin Oriental in midtown Manhattan having just returned from dinner with my agent - yes, as in book agent. Tomorrow I begin the two day whirlwind visit with a number of publishers, all seeking the next big-thing.

As time is short, I'll spare you for the moment how I got here and what I've been thinking about and simply tell you what I'm seeing and how you can help.

While always valued, your input is especially timely right now - as you can see.

The Opportunity

I have the ear of some of the top publishers in the industry - for some time I will have their focused attention. With that I can do two things: 1) I could play along and do whatever it takes to ensure I get a book deal. And if that means "fishing" with the shiniest lure, the brilliant promise of immediate quick fix, playing the ego for all it's worth - basically triggering the yin-yang of ego, the want-disdain.

Or perhaps there's another choice - not an easier one, that's for sure.

The Change I Seek to Make

The "path less traveled," the path I've chosen to take is to create a book that serves - that is a tool for awakening. A book that engages mindfulness, the moment to moment awareness and does so while engaging an audience who is not coming to this book for this purpose primarily. Simply stated, I'm talking about a deeper version of a "fitness" related book. Not a diet book but a book that grabs people, engages people and at the least gets one foot on the path to freedom.

It may be imperative that this book also serve to inspire dramatic physical change in some finite window of time. I understand and accept that results that we can see are part of the allure of any physical "program." Certainly they've been central to my brother's book, Body for LIFE, the polar-north of fitness books that so many have emulated - never recreated.

Call me crazy, you'd not be the first...but Body for Life is nearly 8 years old. It's been an amazing book and I feel like there's got to be something more that could be brought to the arena. Not necessarily something more but something different, deeper... lasting, whatever...

I certainly have my ideas and I am looking for inspiration from you. And no, I'm not looking for your favorite fitness books I want to take lessons from all aspects of "change" and explore what most gets through to people - what books are able to provoke attention and stay with people after they've been put down.

This is where your answers help... I'm seeking examples of books that reached people - and then to leverage these examples in making a case for doing something worthwhile, reaching beyond what's been done. My belief is your story will help me to find innovative ways to break through the clutter and examples of real works that have left a lasting impact on real people. And if you're book is a manual on quantum physics, do not concern yourself with trying to figure out how to transfer that to a health and fitness realm - leave that to me. Just give it to me straight and I'll do the rest.

My "Lead By Example" Example

I've got a few good ones bubbling around and this is the part of this request I was most looking forward to - and I'm shot! So, my inside view of transforming books will not arrive until tomorrow. I'm just too tired to truly enjoy the sharing and bring the full energy and insight I would like to.

Thank you for your support!

In Strength,

Shawn Phillips

I'm eager to hear from you - just email me on the Big-Z inbox or post a comment or whatever works, short of smoke signals.

 

 

Have you read it yet?

"It" being Eckhart Tolle's latest work of awakening, A New Earth.

I can tell you it certainly Tolle's for me.

If you liked Power of Now, you're gonna love this. If I may, my advice for you is to go with the audio version. The book is a terrific, fairly quick read but for me the audio version just delivers more. A lot more.

Maybe it's just more Eckhart per minute...I like to toss out the possibility that there's some transmission happening in the audio medium. Who knows but that's the way it seems to work for me and all whom have made the switch.

ET's voice is a particularly odd blend - a subtle German accent, covered by a slight English properness rhythmically presented with the tone and cadence of a Monk. I find it quite engaging and interesting - and wildly effective.

Of course, there's no telling how it will land on you. Regardless, roll with it and you'll learn to love it.

Also, know that he read the entire book, unabridged, which is nice. No wondering what you missed.

I've probably listened to the Power of Now some 25 times - each time is an experience. After the broad strokes of PON, A New Earth is a little like "Tolle unplugged." He simply doesn't leave any wiggle-room as he attacks the ego like GW goes after weapons of various levels of destruction (aka damage).

A New Earth gets two big thumbs up from me. Do pick this one up - it should be required reading for all on this spinning ball. 

It's 6:04 am this morning and I'm hunkered down in my basement (which I shall share some photos of sometime - it's not too bad) training this morning... or getting ready to train.

First thing is a few minutes on the bike to warm my body up while I sip on a little warm Sumatra blend. Love that stuff.

Well, this morning I'm reading Shambhala : The Sacred Path of the Warrior, from Trungpa,   I received the following insight. Not from anything directly stated in the book but simply an enhanced awareness from a deeper perspective.

Here's some of that perspective...

It's very common for people to resist strength training. When I say resist I mean everything from have a visceral reaction at the thought of it to be "bored" by it. Most common is simply the "I don't get it," or "it's just not my thing," reactions. Not too offensive but just not into it.

I've known for a long time that people resist the feeling, the intensity, the pain, as some call it. But today I could see a deeper level of this resistance as it tends to manifest.

I believe that some people (and this may be a significant some) simply can not tolerate coming face to face with experiencing just how damned uncooperative their body (or bodies, as the case may be) truly is.

Let's say that you just happen to be one of the many unfortunate sufferers (e.g. your human) who have some fantasy about your effectiveness and control in the world - and you take this fantasy into your training. You sit down, 8 lb dumbbells in hand and proceed to lift, press or curl them in some direction.

The very first experience you're going to come face to face with, if you're even slightly new to this form of exercise, is an awkward feeling of not quite knowing what you're doing. It won't feel so good nor bad but it will feel odd, awkward and somewhat unstable. Not fun...

Definitely not what the fantasy in your mind had planned.

In some small way, it could be a bit like facing your own mortality over and over, rep and rep... not too fun should you be working hard to avoid that. Never mind that this would be a "healthy" practice that will allow you to live longer, this awkwardness would soon be replaced by another level of awkwardness - a sobering reality, an authentic face-to-face encounter with your Self. Most difficult and challenging even for the internally strong.

Now, take this same subject and put them on the yoga mat. No certainty but I believe there'd be a much higher chance they'd connect and engage. Why...well, sure there's a plethora of reasons but how about a few theories...

For one thing, in most yoga there's a group or social pressure. We'll stay with anything long enough not to look like the one who walked. Then you've got a teacher - a guide, which is great. They're going to tell you what and how - serving as a focal point. Support for your body-mind, sure but also a place to focus and slow your chatter which might otherwise derail you.

Then there's the compassion, should you be struggling, falling short, etc... most teachers are quick to encourage and offer guidance for you to be compassionate - much more than what most of us can muster for ourselves. Nice.

Yet, as great as all this is, the structure remains external in my scenario. We're getting guidance, placing focus, receiving support all from a source "out there." 

A similar thing can occur in strength training with a trainer but likely not at the same level. For the most part, strength training done as an integrated practice requires a level of self-resourcing - an inner drive that is both difficult and powerfully life altering. It's both a full-on confrontation with Self and a letting go, over and over - rep after rep. Set after set.

I have compassion for those who choose to walk away or have literally shrunk away into some personal hidden fear, rather than face this direct, confronting experience. Why do it? Really... but then again, why meditate, why wake-up, why do any of it?

That's a good question...Why?

What's your answer?

Today I ran across an emotional commentary regarding childhood obesity on one of my daily blog reads. It's a serious problem and while what they had to say about who's to blame will certainly piss some people off - I agree!

More on that in a moment but while we're on this serious subject, I've got to get some things off my chest.

If you think the current healthcare costs for obesity related diseases are going to bankrupt this country - well, you're right but that's nothing compared to what the future holds.

I for one would favor a return of the ol' "Red Menace" - the great Russian threat. For at least during the cold-war we believed we knew the enemy.

Today, the enemy is not simply among us, it is us.

I am certain it's not news to you that America's children are growing faster than any children should - and I don't mean up. I mean...wide, in shear mass

According to government research, 60% of children between the ages of 5 and 10 years have at least one cardiovascular risk factor and 25% have two or more... there are 3 times as many overweight children between ages of 6 - 11 as there were 30 years ago.

And also, in classic "American Style" it's time to locate the cause - to point the finger, to lay the blame. The most obvious targets to take the "blame grenade" are the fast-food purveyors and the marketers who spin their webs.

It's a tight race for 1-2 but I selected the order above given that it's the fast-food sellers who pay the marketers - that's the food chain, so I lop a little more up top.

So, our children are fat...and who are we going to blame? Well, the blog I mentioned a moment ago, Ardants says "Obesity is not marketers fault nor is it the fast-food company's. It's time to get children off their fat asses and parents involved."

The BLOGGER who prompted Ardant's thinking goes further in making a case that marketers have done a lot to support the health and well-being of children. Of course, he's from a national marketing organization.

While I wisely question to noble efforts of the marketing white-knights in their quest to make every child safe from influential messages for food, I agree, wholeheartedly, with the position here: The fast-food industry is not to blame.

I know...I know... for anyone who's seen my presentation at Integral Life Practice on the parallel progressions of fast-food consumption and our country's health care costs over the last three decades, it's got to be hard to believe I'm saying this... But I am saying it and have been for a long time.

My case is simple: While I agree that fast-food has been a scourge on our society in many ways, ultimately it is a business! And a business flourishes only when consumers support it. We must play the game for them to win...

Sure, we've been marketed to - we've been sold a bad bill of goods, but tath implies we still took our wallets out and bought it! Right.

They served - we volleyed. We've played the game, like it or not. We are not innocent victims but active participants in our own collective suicide. Not willingly but certainly not ignorantly at this point.

To point a condemning finger at fast-food for making our children fat, is like pointing blaming the middle-east for our gluttonous consumption of fossil fuel. It doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? Yet, in both cases, it's what we often do.

The "golden arches," "the king"... these fast-food joints are snuggly positioned at the bottom of the valley of nutrition - the place we all land when we slip and fall, when we fail to plan, when we find ourselves, hungry, weak and craving.  They reside there, happily like a venus fly trap, waiting for our weakness to serve them.

They remain poised there because big-business is first and foremost about profits - first (not in absolute exclusion of concern). They have little real motivation to change that now... Sure, it's wise to look like they are changing things but really changing would be foolish...

UNLESS...

Unless, someone like you care a whole awful lot*...about yourself, your life and your children's life and our world. Only then will we, one by one, start choosing the freedom of healthier foods - be they "fast" or no so...

When your almighty dollar is directed elsewhere...then...and only then will things changes. Remember, the power to change the world, to create a better future, not just for ourselves but for the generation coming, is in your hands.

Keep this in mind -- and choose what you eat wisely.

* Special thanks to Dr. Suess for his inspiration on this quote (see The Lorax)

Diets are the nutritional equivalent of day care (or prison for adults).

Based on an old, outdated model of human motivation featuring limitations, deprivation and pain, dieting focuses almost exclusively on what NOT to do, how not to eat. These are not the training grounds for emotionally mature adults who value freedom and mastery.

The antithesis of the restriction centered diet is the absolute freedom that results from a balance of wisdom and slef-mastery that makes "right eating" as natural and effortless as saying "Thank you," when someone opens a door for you.

This level of personal mastery, and positive relationship with food and our bodies does not arise from the archaic, imprisoned approach of dieting - as much as many may like you to believe it does.

Right eating is not something we have to force ourselves to do, it's in our nature to feed our bodies with the right balance of healthy nutrients - it's not a learning that is required but rather an unlearning (or better yet, relearning), replacing "bad" habits with habits/rituals that support our best self and free us from an addictive relationship with food.

When you reconnect with your inner strength and natural intent to eat great, when you refuse to be a follower of the fad and reject the term "diet" all together you're not only supporting your freedom but helping to bring an end to dieting forever.

FYI : This is a post from my other BLOG. I am in the process of moving to one, set home for BLOG. Thank you for your patience as I find my way.  

In each and every moment of life you are either “acting upon” or being “acted upon.” Simply stated, you are either at cause or at effect. This is to say you are choosing strength in the moment or you are succumbing to weakness.

It is my contention that far too many people in this world suffer from an “effective-disorder.” That is, they live lives of weakness, at effect of circumstances.

You can recognize these poor people by their complaining and beliefs that they have been victimized by life – they act and therefore are helpless and unwilling to play an active role in shaping their own destiny.

To be at cause is a choice, one that you and every single person on earth can make. You’ve made that choice when you are leading, helping, caring, contributing, and simply making a positive difference for others in this world.

I have discovered that results in any fitness program depend almost entirely on your ability, willingness, and courage to be at cause. And furthermore, I believe that exercising mastery in the physical domain (however you define that) is a powerful proving (and growing) ground for ensuring that you are the author of your life experience. 

Listen to an AUDIO of this BLOG

In addition to pushing weights around, now and then, I am an entrepreneur. Thus, I am a constant study of marketing and meme's... just love the authenticity of Mr. Seth Godin.

That brings me to today... I was reading an email from another marketing genius,  Roy H. Williams, and he just flat nailed it.

"...we're moving away from the vertical hero-worship of Idealism to
establish the horizontal links that mark an emerging Civic generation."

He went on to add this priceless gem:

He went on to add this priceless gem:

I may be alone on this, and if so, that's fine... but I appreciate when people just flat SAY what I've been thinking in the oft-time private confines of my head. No editing.

I don't think he's right - I know he's right. And I beleive that ZAADZ is living, thriving, growing, evolving proof that "hype is dead" and that relationships, horizontal links is where we will find whatever it is we're looking for.

On that note, I leave you with, as Roy did in his email yesterday...  

For all of you who have been so patiently waiting, it's LIVE! 

O.K. Perhaps, one more with a little less enthusiasm (e.g. salesmanship):
  
Focus Intensity Training, or as I convenieantly call it, F.I.T., is the practice for bringing depth, a flow-state to what is to many a shallow, egoic practice - weight training. 

Part 2 of my recent conversation with Mr. Ken (WIlber) is now live on IntegralNaked.org!

Tune in and catch me getting a lesson from the master on the potential of this I-I "gold star" practice, the 3-Body workout, as Ken calls it...I was inspired by his passion and commitment to strength-training. I can only imagine the level of intensity he could generate in the moment. 

Click here to listen to Shawn Phillips and Ken Wilber discuss the depth of mindful strength training.