It was an absolute pleasure shooting with you and Ben, you’ve done an amazing job with the edit as always, still can’t believe I got to shoot with you as It’s been a dream collab ever since I saw the Highlander kit video. Let me know when you want to do another one 👊
I'm a life long student of the martial way and an old man now. This is just a word of encouragement and appreciation. You are doing great young man and contributing mightily. Please, keep doing what you're doing. I personally gain valuable information and sweet inspiration from your work ✨️ Thank you
I realized that I reached that level of detachment, but I didn't have the right balance of discipline and play to keep myself in that great state of mind. I was too detached to the point of being somewhat too willing to let things go, even things that I should have fought for. But when life became much harder my habbits of too much play and almost no discipline instantly made me fold and lose that state of mind. This video has given me a benchmark of balance and hopefully it will help me reach that same state of mind with a bit more backbone to it aswell. This was an absolutely fantastic video fandabi, thank you for giving me a path forward.
look into philosophyical Taoism Dao will change your life bob, if u emerge yourself in it my brother,never STOP Loving bobble&Mr tao,xxx my new puppy,xxxx
28:59 I love that double hit! It was such a fun fight! I wonder how many people died for real with perfect comedic timing. Thanks for having me Tom... Your writing is going from strength to strength 🗡️
To see such a beautiful work boils me blood and I feel really proud of being a scot. And that is quite a compliment, since I am brazilian. Nice work, Lad!
I am seriously learning things here: "The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." So profound. You hit the nail on the head for my own joyless discipline when you talk about needing more than just discipline. I feel stuck in a depressing, pessimistic rut with my discipline. My discipline is developed, strong, and fully mature, but like you mention: joyless, cold, boring, negative. Thank you for making this educational film. I am 41 years old, and you are humbling me with your insight and intelligence. I don't think much of myself, but for you to so easily educate me shows the hard work and Heart you have put into your education and Life, and I truly appreciate your time and courage to make this happen and help others. Thank you*
I live my life along the same lines you are videoing and believe learning from the past is a good path forward. You learn struggle and set-back not failure. The only way to fail, is to quit. A set-back simply means, this plan did not work, the goal is still there. Learn, revise and go again. I have been trying to come up with a all inclusive trail kit. Your 30" bow really caught my eye and I believe that brings me closer to my goal. Thank you for sharing.
Watched this again today, this time with my six year old daughter. I knew she wouldn't get the message, but she loved the fight scenes and she got the idea of 'practice makes purfect'. She was imitating your fight moves. I'd like to thank you Tom. I discovered your channel by chance when stuck at home with covid back in August. I watched all your highlander content and was inspired. Next thing, I bumped into a guy I hadn't seen for years. He was a member of an early medieval reenactment group I used to be in, "Have, you ever thought of coming back"? He asked. Because of your videos, I already had been thinking about it. I've been training with them again this past month and it's been great. I bring my daughter with me and she plays with the other children. I'm glad to give her the opportunity to grow up in such a community. Shortly before you put out this video, I'd been watching the lecture series 'Awakening from the meaning crisis ' by Canadian cognitive psychologist John Vervaeke. In his early episodes he discusses flow state at length and I was gripped by the realisation of how relevant it is and I determined to explore it. Then you published this! You explain the concepts very well and the visuals compliment it brilliantly. I shall share this with my reenactment mates. Merry Christmas Tom.
Shooting a bow is so satisfying. I've been practicing for a year and try to get my Son to practice when I can drag him away from screens. You 100% correct about instinctive shooting.
I love the idea of exposing the next generation to these traditional skills. I've practiced archery for 50 years and now teaching my grandkids how to shoot. :-)
Before I had hit 23:12 in the video, I had already decided I needed to watch this video multiple times. Thank you for making this. You have reminded me of many concepts I had already thought on in my younger years, but have forgotten as I've gotten older; with the worries of child raising and providing for a family. I've grown far to serious and have let the day to day struggles and toil overwhelm me. I've lost myself in the process, and the man I was....fun and carefree. Always exploring.... I will be coming back to this video now for inspiration. You have done a great service with this...more than you probably know. This video is SO Jeet Kun Do....even Bruce Lee would be impressed, I believe. Keep at it man.....really.
Tom, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have grown up all my life, and built my foundation on what was told to be good, and in the last couple of months, I have found that this foundation is insufficient to keep on living on. So, I chose to let everything in my life go and break down all the way to that crumbling foundation to rebuild it. Then, as if it was waiting for me, this video and hunter-gatherers survival guide crossed my path. I now have created the state of flow as my foundation with fasting and cold exposure as discipline, Bhuddistic and Hinduistic teachings and meditation as detachment and staff MMA and Airsoft as my play. Without really noticing, my life has been in a state of balance or, should I say, flow, for the last month, and I have seen the tremendous benefit to physical health and the ability to keep going and grow as a person. I wanted to tell you this and thank you because I would have never thought that some random video I encountered on youtube would have become the groundwork for the way I live my life. Thank you Tom, truly, from the bottom of my heart.
By the way, where did you get those practicing staffs, I've been looking for a way to safely practice with a friend but have a hard time finding a safe alternative to a straight up wooden staff.
Rewatching again, this is a masterpiece!!!!!Thank you so much for that! You could be the twin brother of my teacher in the other side of the world! Greetings from South East Asia!
I got into horse archery and found the events weren’t very fun and, as a result, people didn’t do well. The most fun with archery I’ve had was when I was staying at an archery ranch and a guy asked if I wanted to go shoot discs out of the air. I went along and was amazed that I was able to hit some. Maybe even half of my shots hit, I don’t remember, but often enough that it wasn’t a fluke when I hit. We had a good time and as a result we shot well. It was a great time of learning for me.
Interesting! I also feel the same with archery. If im too serious and care too much about hitting the target I get worse at it. When I just have fun and shoot with instinct it often becomes more accurate :) Thanks for your story
Gosh, the Universe is looking after me 🥰 - your vid turned up on my TH-cam feed and was exactly what I needed😁 have been really struggling with existential stuff in my head; environmental activism, cultural inertia on sustainability and recycling, reliance on fossil fuel😬 my need to earn a living and compromise on those principles in doing so (I’m a professional gardener - I could do worse lol)😕 And then you said Discipline is getting knocked down and just getting up again. Not perfection, just the resolve to keep doing something. Detachment from outcome. I’ve always called Flow ‘The Dance’ - as in being instep with the rhythm of the universe. Haven’t been in step much lately - your vid showed me the path back. THANKS❤️
He's the Scottish Jet Lee! lol!!!!!! Either this dude needs to be an actor, write a book, or have his own show lol! He's too good at expressing not to utilize any of these gifts! His integration of his own philosophies that are genuine and relating to his own thorough experiences are SUPER refreshing! One time someone asked me what my name was at a party and I was high on mushrooms...my names Mackenzie, but for some reason something possessed me to reply " my name is flow". LMFOA! I'm not even a hippy lol! It just felt right for the moment.
This video and the one on 'Hunter gatherer skills for survival in the 21st century' are wonderful, inspiring and informative. They are full of humour, confidence and humility. Keep up the good work and thank you.
It's really a great idea to make a video about the concept of flow in a way that is not too connected with any specific martial art or that sorta stuff, I think you're the first person I saw doing this. Btw, have you already made a video on how you made (or bought idk) those padded staffs? Me and my friends are testing some ways of doing it, but your's seems to be the least awkard way of padding a big stick to hit people with.
That was awesome, Tom! Definitely one of your best videos so far. Beat me up into shape and I'll be very happy. Will definitely watch this video again.
Tom, Ben, A Great Alternative, this is top notch content. I feel I can't quite bring myself to play about with a bow and arrow, especially at 60. Or can I? I did see an advert for a local bowyer's course. "So that might be a good excuse. Making stuff. And then I'd have to try it out..." I admire you for your playfulness, as well as your discipline and whatever that other one was... ;)
Pop down to a local Field Archery club, (different from target archery) you'll probably find you are one of the 'youngens' and the guys are already pratting about with longbows and weird targets, If its anything like my club :)
I'm 60 years old and I still practice archery as often as I can. (I try to shoot at least one day a week.) I find it a wonderfully satisfying sport! :-)
I’m a PE Teacher in Tainan for Elementary School students. I am in a CLIL position as a foreign teacher from Hawaii and don’t know any Chinese or Taiwanese, intentionally. I love your explanation of Flow and the three principles. Thank-You.
Thank you so much Tom. This is easily one of your best. 👌 Truly inspiring in every way. I shall save this video in my heart to make changes to life itself for a better, new future. From an Irishman to a fellow Scot. Thank you brother. 👊
love this you should consider selling dvds or transcribe into books you are really onto something here and i would love to see your ideas preserved for the future.
Such a good film. Loved it and really spoke to me on a personal level. I truly believe that these ideas can help people with mental health and depression.
This has gotta be one of the best videos on this platform. I find the idea of the way/flow/wu wei ect. fascinating and to see you combine it effortlessly with martial discipline and application to everyday life AS WELL AS making an incredibly entertaining video is brilliant.
Geez, everything about this is impeccable. It's both entertaining and incredibly insightful. The variety of shots kept me interested the whole time. Amazing work. And you've shared this wisdom at the perfect time for me. Thank you for this work of art.
I had my first tournament about 2 weeks ago and I sat there watching the finalists bout noting how happy the winner was not to win but to be there. I saw a man who had won many fights thankfully a good teacher once taught me to find joy in the success of others and it's become my form of detachment. I look back and realize I have a lot of time to find the joy and the capacity to play; I cannot know what I don't yet know, I cannot reverse time and try again, I now only hope to find the confidence to be happy in all my pursuits.
I'm thinking of doing step by step how tos on the quarter staff and short staff if that'd help I've been wanting to start a yt channel for some time and I think it'd be a nice start
Your words make a lot of sense. Especially when factoring in my "comfort" with the people and tasks I do at work. And there is one object that stands out to me from all of this. I need to revisit my love of archery.....more focus, less stress.
Fantastic video. A lot of it speaks to my experiences using another ancient, primitive tool: the sling. It's one of the oldest weapons, probably older than the bow, and it's essential to use your whole body, including your mind to master it. The learning curve is steep, but so rewarding.
Fantastic video. This is very similar to the things I’m searching for or implementing in my own life. One thing I try to remember (for myself) is balance isn’t always all the things all the time, it can be cycling through them as you practice what is needed in the moment. Life is seasonal as well as constant. I’m definitely recommending this video to my friends, whether they are into bushcraft, weapon training, or just for life in general.
Your work is a pleasure to watch, these are the principles I have understood for years; having trained in international martial arts the best way I have learnt any technique is through disciplined repetition but maintaining a curious playfulness and open mindedness, the 'beginners mind' as they say in zen. What ties it all together is being able to detach yourself from the person doing a task so that you become the tsk yourself. You aren't a person in flow, you are flow. Thanks for all your content, cracking editing skills and charismatic demeanour that keeps us all coming back!
this might be the most underrated video on all of youtube. i genuinely cannot stress how amazing this video is enough. i will be recommending this to everyone i know and if youre reading this you should too.
I am a two time combat vet, and I never took meditation seriously. But when you describe it as a way to Detach from the chaos of the mind, for some reason I feel like I didn't get that message when I was studying the martial arts books as a child. When I look at it through your eyes, I see how it can heal ptsd. Thank you*
My friend sent me this video telling me that you are my twin brothers from the other side of the world and after I watch all of your videos I am very impressed and appreciate to the same way of life if it’s our destiny hope to see you one day cooperate and share the experience of life☺️🙏
Lovely to watch - especially the demonstration of play at work in the giggly battles at the end. So much chimes with the lessons I picked up from Stephen Bachelor's Buddhism Without Belief, and a (maybe obscure) little book I fondly remember called the Way of the Owl (despite stretching the owl metaphor beyond breaking point, it was my first foray into philosophy of any kind). I'll definitely be coming back for a refresher on the Way.
This video is fantastic! The timing of its arrival is almost perfect, as someone who feels like an arrow shot into thin air, I have found myself in recent weeks naturally looking for something more in life. Thank you Tom
Amazing video, it fits really well with two things that I always liked from the moment I learned about: one is the phrase "A well rounded man should be an artist, a warrior and a philosopher" from Benvenuto Cellini and the other is the triskele as a symbol of the union in balance of the mental, physical and spiritual self that all people should have. Discipline = The Warrior = Physical self. Detachment = The Philosopher = Mental self. Play = The Artist = Spiritual self.
The triangle of contentment has three sides. I love the content, honest, raw in places, polished in others... on the way; of breathing, acting and living it. Thank you so much to all on the production team. Peace (through confidence). m
"Words exist because of meaning, once you have gotten the meaning, you can forget the words, now, where can I find a man who has forgotten words, so I may have a word with him.." Cheers fir yer entertaining and grounded views and practical application of eastern and western philosophy.. much appreciated
I've been working on this concept in my own life without realizing it. Been building my own business and lost play. It lead to a breakdown in discipline and general motivation. Taking time for myself to wander barefoot in the woods I libe in and carve sticks has brought back my will to labor for my future. This video is a perfect summation and reiterating of what I've been learning on my own. I love your content Tom. Keep on kicking ass and good luck with all of your projects going foreward
Thanks for this -- beautifully put together, and at a time when I didn't realize it was exactly what I need right now. Especially needed the reminder to get re-connected with the Why. To more frequently call forth at will this state of...sort of a clean & playful & energized tranquility...it's a worthy quest for all manner of moments large, and not so large. My profound thanks again.
Incredible quality of content and a great way to think about it. It's so easy to let the mind take center stage, but hard to put it back in the toolbox it belongs to, along with other tools. You are not your mind...
Really fantastic video Tom, I've done a few martial arts in my lifetime (mostly a passing knowledge) and having studied HEMA for a year or so now, you're definitely right with that philosophy of 'flow' so many practices point to that sweet spot of spontaneous reaction reinforced with practiced knowledge but play is definitely one I forget to 'hone', going to keep coming back to this one for a long time to come, thank you for your hard work and excellent insights.
Thank you so much for this video, it all rings so true. As an archer I fully understand what you talk about and I have felt what you call "flow", although not nearly often enough I've already watched this twice and I really think I will be applying this to my life, or trying to anyway ;)
I find myself Struggling with Anxiety a lot more Recently and this Video Calmed me right down during a pretty bad bout of it, I hope you are doing well and Having a Good time with this Content, very well done video to Everyone Involved
Amazing content and philosophy! I feel and understand these concepts feom my own life and years too many decades ago when playing high school sports and hunting. thank you for the time it took to make this!
You may not realise but what you describe at 15:44 is the biggest way OCD and anxiety disorders are approached by therapists. The idea of allowing your thoughts and emotions to be without interacting with them too much, allowing them to wash over you. This is a fantastic video.
This is a passion of mine, combining martial arts with bushcraft. I’ve planned out a workout/training camp in a heavily forested area and all the workout equipment was to be constructed from the forest. It’s such an amazing and rewarding lifestyle.
You are still young, but your heart and wisdom are far beyond your years. Never give up your Heart no matter how many sad and evil things you encounter in your life, because you're one of the good ones and I believe in you. At first in this video I was confused and unsure if you were rhyming. :) Then I realised you were, and when you said "This Is The Way... Of The Staff & Bow" I got goosebumps***** Awesome 👍
This video just gave me so much motivation. Just watching it I was inspired by how hard you worked and how much fun you had making it. I'm defiantly going to try my best to put this into practice in my own life. Keep up the amazing work.
Just wanted to leave a comment for how much I appreciated this video. I had started watching a few videos from this channel for some general foundational knowledge about staff making and usage for a story I've been working on to get me started. Separately, I've been studying Chinese ancient philosophy for a few months (right now on the Analects and Tao Te Ching to be specific, more will follow later) and have been trying to train my mind for it so to say as one thing I've been terrible at _for years_ has been meditation. I'm also a psychologist by training and my favourite school to study has always been Positive Psychology, which deals with Csíkszentmihályi's concept of flow a lot. So, I can' describe how much of a treat it has been to encounter this video and see all of these topics synthesized together this succintly and with genuine enthusiasm and joy shining through it. I wish all involved the best and hope you keep up the good play!
Well done brother! I have had those moments of effortless flow where nothing exists except you and what your doing. Those natural moments are fleeting, I find. I just do my best and work to not worry about the rest. Love the fun stuff at the end. Thank you.
Absolutely stunning for me the greatness of this movie! All principles I felt for my own how they are working- its passing trough every moment of this movie. I feel Flow!
This channel deserves way more subscribers. After watching this, I just spent some time in my kitchen with a broomstick playing around and finding the flow, and I realized you're completely right. I think learning the stuff will help me really improve my swordsmanship as well
Thanks for sharing this, Ben. 2022 I want to get back to practicing martial arts - last year I had a severe motorcycle accident, lost the ability to walk as well as the person I love(d). A lot of things have been put into perspective and though I spend years in the outdoors contemplating, I realised last year that spiritually, I am stuck. Funnily enough I bought a nice piece of wood today which I am currently turning into a staff - hoping that by summer I will have healed enough to at least walk a couple of hundreds of meters on my own again. I want to dedicate the coming time to self-development and this video certainly contributes to that path. Thank you & all the best Ralf
Can't wait for the day I go for a hike and stumble upon two guys fighting with sticks in full traditional highland garb!
Me too.
Might have to go for that hike and be one of em soon
@Smart Ass That sounds like a plan, but I suspect that are a many miles apart. I'm in the midwest of the States.
@@dpterrell17 well I met "the twin brother" of this guy in Thailand and he is teaching me now. You never know it may happen to you too!
😂 yep
It was an absolute pleasure shooting with you and Ben, you’ve done an amazing job with the edit as always, still can’t believe I got to shoot with you as It’s been a dream collab ever since I saw the Highlander kit video.
Let me know when you want to do another one 👊
Iiii88iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiii8i
I'm a life long student of the martial way and an old man now. This is just a word of encouragement and appreciation.
You are doing great young man and contributing mightily. Please, keep doing what you're doing.
I personally gain valuable information and sweet inspiration from your work ✨️
Thank you
I realized that I reached that level of detachment, but I didn't have the right balance of discipline and play to keep myself in that great state of mind. I was too detached to the point of being somewhat too willing to let things go, even things that I should have fought for.
But when life became much harder my habbits of too much play and almost no discipline instantly made me fold and lose that state of mind.
This video has given me a benchmark of balance and hopefully it will help me reach that same state of mind with a bit more backbone to it aswell. This was an absolutely fantastic video fandabi, thank you for giving me a path forward.
look into philosophyical Taoism Dao will change your life bob, if u emerge yourself in it my brother,never STOP Loving bobble&Mr tao,xxx my new puppy,xxxx
One of the top three videos I have watched this year. A meaningful masterpiece.
What are the other 2?
28:59 I love that double hit! It was such a fun fight!
I wonder how many people died for real with perfect comedic timing.
Thanks for having me Tom... Your writing is going from strength to strength 🗡️
haha! Yeah it was so much fun! Shame the other fights on the hill the video files were corrupted so couldnt include them.
"Play" is what makes this video different and really worth watching. The end scenes illustrates this perfectly :)
To see such a beautiful work boils me blood and I feel really proud of being a scot.
And that is quite a compliment, since I am brazilian. Nice work, Lad!
@@bw24summit 😂
Everyone is talking about what you were saying but heck that choreography is awesome.
I am seriously learning things here:
"The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." So profound. You hit the nail on the head for my own joyless discipline when you talk about needing more than just discipline. I feel stuck in a depressing, pessimistic rut with my discipline. My discipline is developed, strong, and fully mature, but like you mention: joyless, cold, boring, negative.
Thank you for making this educational film. I am 41 years old, and you are humbling me with your insight and intelligence. I don't think much of myself, but for you to so easily educate me shows the hard work and Heart you have put into your education and Life, and I truly appreciate your time and courage to make this happen and help others.
Thank you*
I live my life along the same lines you are videoing and believe learning from the past is a good path forward. You learn struggle and set-back not failure. The only way to fail, is to quit. A set-back simply means, this plan did not work, the goal is still there. Learn, revise and go again.
I have been trying to come up with a all inclusive trail kit. Your 30" bow really caught my eye and I believe that brings me closer to my goal.
Thank you for sharing.
Watched this again today, this time with my six year old daughter. I knew she wouldn't get the message, but she loved the fight scenes and she got the idea of 'practice makes purfect'. She was imitating your fight moves.
I'd like to thank you Tom. I discovered your channel by chance when stuck at home with covid back in August. I watched all your highlander content and was inspired. Next thing, I bumped into a guy I hadn't seen for years. He was a member of an early medieval reenactment group I used to be in, "Have, you ever thought of coming back"? He asked. Because of your videos, I already had been thinking about it. I've been training with them again this past month and it's been great. I bring my daughter with me and she plays with the other children. I'm glad to give her the opportunity to grow up in such a community.
Shortly before you put out this video, I'd been watching the lecture series 'Awakening from the meaning crisis ' by Canadian cognitive psychologist John Vervaeke. In his early episodes he discusses flow state at length and I was gripped by the realisation of how relevant it is and I determined to explore it. Then you published this! You explain the concepts very well and the visuals compliment it brilliantly. I shall share this with my reenactment mates.
Merry Christmas Tom.
you are a great man to be such a loving father.
"The Law of the Stick"~ Shilleghla Law. It rules the land. What flows through the bone we call the Stick? water.
Shooting a bow is so satisfying. I've been practicing for a year and try to get my Son to practice when I can drag him away from screens. You 100% correct about instinctive shooting.
I love the idea of exposing the next generation to these traditional skills. I've practiced archery for 50 years and now teaching my grandkids how to shoot. :-)
Before I had hit 23:12 in the video, I had already decided I needed to watch this video multiple times. Thank you for making this. You have reminded me of many concepts I had already thought on in my younger years, but have forgotten as I've gotten older; with the worries of child raising and providing for a family. I've grown far to serious and have let the day to day struggles and toil overwhelm me. I've lost myself in the process, and the man I was....fun and carefree. Always exploring....
I will be coming back to this video now for inspiration. You have done a great service with this...more than you probably know. This video is SO Jeet Kun Do....even Bruce Lee would be impressed, I believe. Keep at it man.....really.
Tom, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have grown up all my life, and built my foundation on what was told to be good, and in the last couple of months, I have found that this foundation is insufficient to keep on living on. So, I chose to let everything in my life go and break down all the way to that crumbling foundation to rebuild it. Then, as if it was waiting for me, this video and hunter-gatherers survival guide crossed my path. I now have created the state of flow as my foundation with fasting and cold exposure as discipline, Bhuddistic and Hinduistic teachings and meditation as detachment and staff MMA and Airsoft as my play. Without really noticing, my life has been in a state of balance or, should I say, flow, for the last month, and I have seen the tremendous benefit to physical health and the ability to keep going and grow as a person. I wanted to tell you this and thank you because I would have never thought that some random video I encountered on youtube would have become the groundwork for the way I live my life. Thank you Tom, truly, from the bottom of my heart.
By the way, where did you get those practicing staffs, I've been looking for a way to safely practice with a friend but have a hard time finding a safe alternative to a straight up wooden staff.
This channel speaks my language. The language of action and jolly cooperation.
Rewatching again, this is a masterpiece!!!!!Thank you so much for that! You could be the twin brother of my teacher in the other side of the world! Greetings from South East Asia!
I got into horse archery and found the events weren’t very fun and, as a result, people didn’t do well.
The most fun with archery I’ve had was when I was staying at an archery ranch and a guy asked if I wanted to go shoot discs out of the air. I went along and was amazed that I was able to hit some. Maybe even half of my shots hit, I don’t remember, but often enough that it wasn’t a fluke when I hit.
We had a good time and as a result we shot well. It was a great time of learning for me.
Interesting! I also feel the same with archery. If im too serious and care too much about hitting the target I get worse at it. When I just have fun and shoot with instinct it often becomes more accurate :) Thanks for your story
Gosh, the Universe is looking after me 🥰 - your vid turned up on my TH-cam feed and was exactly what I needed😁 have been really struggling with existential stuff in my head; environmental activism, cultural inertia on sustainability and recycling, reliance on fossil fuel😬 my need to earn a living and compromise on those principles in doing so (I’m a professional gardener - I could do worse lol)😕 And then you said Discipline is getting knocked down and just getting up again. Not perfection, just the resolve to keep doing something. Detachment from outcome. I’ve always called Flow ‘The Dance’ - as in being instep with the rhythm of the universe. Haven’t been in step much lately - your vid showed me the path back. THANKS❤️
"Fandabi Dozi lost his mind"??!? I don't think so. I needed to see this video tonight. Thank you and I really enjoy your channel.
He's the Scottish Jet Lee! lol!!!!!! Either this dude needs to be an actor, write a book, or have his own show lol! He's too good at expressing not to utilize any of these gifts! His integration of his own philosophies that are genuine and relating to his own thorough experiences are SUPER refreshing! One time someone asked me what my name was at a party and I was high on mushrooms...my names Mackenzie, but for some reason something possessed me to reply " my name is flow". LMFOA! I'm not even a hippy lol! It just felt right for the moment.
Thank you Tom Ben and Jason.
This video and the one on 'Hunter gatherer skills for survival in the 21st century' are wonderful, inspiring and informative. They are full of humour, confidence and humility. Keep up the good work and thank you.
I waited with only the thumbnail teasers to keep me… and this was worth every moment - Great vibe in this vid!!
It's really a great idea to make a video about the concept of flow in a way that is not too connected with any specific martial art or that sorta stuff, I think you're the first person I saw doing this. Btw, have you already made a video on how you made (or bought idk) those padded staffs? Me and my friends are testing some ways of doing it, but your's seems to be the least awkard way of padding a big stick to hit people with.
I believe he commented on another video about the staffs beings plastics sticks covered with foam and tape
That was awesome, Tom! Definitely one of your best videos so far. Beat me up into shape and I'll be very happy. Will definitely watch this video again.
Your videos are on another level. Keep it up!
Tom, Ben, A Great Alternative, this is top notch content. I feel I can't quite bring myself to play about with a bow and arrow, especially at 60. Or can I? I did see an advert for a local bowyer's course. "So that might be a good excuse. Making stuff. And then I'd have to try it out..." I admire you for your playfulness, as well as your discipline and whatever that other one was... ;)
Never to late to start - just surround yourself with other passionate people, well at least that’s my strategy 😁
Pop down to a local Field Archery club, (different from target archery) you'll probably find you are one of the 'youngens' and the guys are already pratting about with longbows and weird targets, If its anything like my club :)
I'm 60 years old and I still practice archery as often as I can. (I try to shoot at least one day a week.) I find it a wonderfully satisfying sport! :-)
Growing up, martial arts was a means of peace for me. It went hand in hand with meditation, & music. Incredible video.
Thank you Tom, Ben and Jason. This film is a lovely calming gift to a troubled mind.
Thank you for your kind words 🙌
Amazing to see that people have really benefited from it!
I’m a PE Teacher in Tainan for Elementary School students. I am in a CLIL position as a foreign teacher from Hawaii and don’t know any Chinese or Taiwanese, intentionally. I love your explanation of Flow and the three principles. Thank-You.
Thank you so much Tom. This is easily one of your best. 👌 Truly inspiring in every way. I shall save this video in my heart to make changes to life itself for a better, new future. From an Irishman to a fellow Scot. Thank you brother. 👊
The level of cinematography and philosophy is downright criminal. One of my favourite videos from you, Fandab. Well done
a great philosophy and a beautiful video! also, you know youre a hema nerd when you get excited about seeing spes gear
*The landscapes are GORGEOUS!*
Beautifully reflect the calm depth of the mind, incredible choice of scenery!
love this you should consider selling dvds or transcribe into books you are really onto something here and i would love to see your ideas preserved for the future.
Been waiting a while for this
I needed this, I've been in a rut for a couple months now, and lacked motivation to get back into my old good habits.
Such a good film. Loved it and really spoke to me on a personal level. I truly believe that these ideas can help people with mental health and depression.
This has gotta be one of the best videos on this platform. I find the idea of the way/flow/wu wei ect. fascinating and to see you combine it effortlessly with martial discipline and application to everyday life AS WELL AS making an incredibly entertaining video is brilliant.
Geez, everything about this is impeccable. It's both entertaining and incredibly insightful. The variety of shots kept me interested the whole time. Amazing work. And you've shared this wisdom at the perfect time for me. Thank you for this work of art.
The content on this channel is unbelievable. Keep it up
I had my first tournament about 2 weeks ago and I sat there watching the finalists bout noting how happy the winner was not to win but to be there. I saw a man who had won many fights thankfully a good teacher once taught me to find joy in the success of others and it's become my form of detachment. I look back and realize I have a lot of time to find the joy and the capacity to play; I cannot know what I don't yet know, I cannot reverse time and try again, I now only hope to find the confidence to be happy in all my pursuits.
Please do step by step European martial arts tutorials with a staff
I'm thinking of doing step by step how tos on the quarter staff and short staff if that'd help I've been wanting to start a yt channel for some time and I think it'd be a nice start
@@emberbreak2172 that's good can you teach those who want to learn
@@emberbreak2172 please do short staff 1st
Your words make a lot of sense. Especially when factoring in my "comfort" with the people and tasks I do at work. And there is one object that stands out to me from all of this. I need to revisit my love of archery.....more focus, less stress.
Your philosophical look on life is so true. I need to listen to this again and again. To focus.
And swing my staff more.
Fantastic video. A lot of it speaks to my experiences using another ancient, primitive tool: the sling. It's one of the oldest weapons, probably older than the bow, and it's essential to use your whole body, including your mind to master it. The learning curve is steep, but so rewarding.
Great job Tom! Love the never ending increase in quality of your videos!
Thank you for making this video, it helped me sort out a lot of things that have been on my mind. And the fights were quality 👌 as always!
Fantastic video. This is very similar to the things I’m searching for or implementing in my own life.
One thing I try to remember (for myself) is balance isn’t always all the things all the time, it can be cycling through them as you practice what is needed in the moment.
Life is seasonal as well as constant.
I’m definitely recommending this video to my friends, whether they are into bushcraft, weapon training, or just for life in general.
Your work is a pleasure to watch, these are the principles I have understood for years; having trained in international martial arts the best way I have learnt any technique is through disciplined repetition but maintaining a curious playfulness and open mindedness, the 'beginners mind' as they say in zen. What ties it all together is being able to detach yourself from the person doing a task so that you become the tsk yourself. You aren't a person in flow, you are flow. Thanks for all your content, cracking editing skills and charismatic demeanour that keeps us all coming back!
This is one of the MOST INTELLECTUAL and INTELLIGENT videos I have ever seen on TH-cam
I still say, that this video should be recommended to every human in existence just to make the world a better place.
this might be the most underrated video on all of youtube. i genuinely cannot stress how amazing this video is enough. i will be recommending this to everyone i know and if youre reading this you should too.
fuck yea man. always stepping up the quality. youre a champ.
Such an incredible channel, I’m glad this exists.
Totally agree
I am a two time combat vet, and I never took meditation seriously. But when you describe it as a way to Detach from the chaos of the mind, for some reason I feel like I didn't get that message when I was studying the martial arts books as a child. When I look at it through your eyes, I see how it can heal ptsd.
Thank you*
My friend sent me this video telling me that you are my twin brothers from the other side of the world and after I watch all of your videos I am very impressed and appreciate to the same way of life if it’s our destiny hope to see you one day cooperate and share the experience of life☺️🙏
One of your best videos yet, just behind the series of videos on staffs. and put that chart on a shirt it looks amazing.
Staff fights looks so cool
Well Done Young Man
I Have Studied Martial Arts for over 40 Years.
And I Looks to Me You are On the Right Path!
Lovely to watch - especially the demonstration of play at work in the giggly battles at the end.
So much chimes with the lessons I picked up from Stephen Bachelor's Buddhism Without Belief, and a (maybe obscure) little book I fondly remember called the Way of the Owl (despite stretching the owl metaphor beyond breaking point, it was my first foray into philosophy of any kind).
I'll definitely be coming back for a refresher on the Way.
Scottish Taoism. I learn my staff skills through Shintaido.
The first 5:30 should be watched by everyone. Very thoughtful, deep and poetic.
This video is fantastic! The timing of its arrival is almost perfect, as someone who feels like an arrow shot into thin air, I have found myself in recent weeks naturally looking for something more in life. Thank you Tom
Amazing video, it fits really well with two things that I always liked from the moment I learned about: one is the phrase "A well rounded man should be an artist, a warrior and a philosopher" from Benvenuto Cellini and the other is the triskele as a symbol of the union in balance of the mental, physical and spiritual self that all people should have.
Discipline = The Warrior = Physical self.
Detachment = The Philosopher = Mental self.
Play = The Artist = Spiritual self.
A man who cannot control his own anger has no control of His situation. Great video.
I came for the skills, the camaraderie that I witness and the philosophy is a welcomed bonus.
This was the best definition of each concept and flow that I have come across. I appreciate you putting this out for all of our benefit! Thank you.
This is a work of art 🙂👏👏 beautiful camera work and editing, amazing fight scenes, deep deep content 🙏
This is utterly incredible-the content and the message!
The triangle of contentment has three sides. I love the content, honest, raw in places, polished in others... on the way; of breathing, acting and living it. Thank you so much to all on the production team. Peace (through confidence). m
"Words exist because of meaning, once you have gotten the meaning, you can forget the words, now, where can I find a man who has forgotten words, so I may have a word with him.."
Cheers fir yer entertaining and grounded views and practical application of eastern and western philosophy.. much appreciated
I’ve decided to listen to this video once a day, usually in the morning. This is so great
Its been a little over a year since i first watched this video, and i can say it changed my life entirely. Thank you so much!
I've been working on this concept in my own life without realizing it. Been building my own business and lost play. It lead to a breakdown in discipline and general motivation. Taking time for myself to wander barefoot in the woods I libe in and carve sticks has brought back my will to labor for my future. This video is a perfect summation and reiterating of what I've been learning on my own. I love your content Tom. Keep on kicking ass and good luck with all of your projects going foreward
Thanks for this fantastic content. I'll bring these wise reflections on my own trail.
Thanks for this -- beautifully put together, and at a time when I didn't realize it was exactly what I need right now.
Especially needed the reminder to get re-connected with the Why. To more frequently call forth at will this state of...sort of a clean & playful & energized tranquility...it's a worthy quest for all manner of moments large, and not so large. My profound thanks again.
Absolutely going to try out these concepts, you did a really good job!!
Incredible quality of content and a great way to think about it. It's so easy to let the mind take center stage, but hard to put it back in the toolbox it belongs to, along with other tools. You are not your mind...
This really is a fabulous piece of work. I'm going to need to watch it several times just to digest a lot of it.
Thanks for sharing this so freely!
Really fantastic video Tom, I've done a few martial arts in my lifetime (mostly a passing knowledge) and having studied HEMA for a year or so now, you're definitely right with that philosophy of 'flow' so many practices point to that sweet spot of spontaneous reaction reinforced with practiced knowledge but play is definitely one I forget to 'hone', going to keep coming back to this one for a long time to come, thank you for your hard work and excellent insights.
Thank you so much for this video, it all rings so true. As an archer I fully understand what you talk about and I have felt what you call "flow", although not nearly often enough
I've already watched this twice and I really think I will be applying this to my life, or trying to anyway ;)
I find myself Struggling with Anxiety a lot more Recently and this Video Calmed me right down during a pretty bad bout of it, I hope you are doing well and Having a Good time with this Content, very well done video to Everyone Involved
Amazing content and philosophy! I feel and understand these concepts feom my own life and years too many decades ago when playing high school sports and hunting. thank you for the time it took to make this!
You may not realise but what you describe at 15:44 is the biggest way OCD and anxiety disorders are approached by therapists. The idea of allowing your thoughts and emotions to be without interacting with them too much, allowing them to wash over you. This is a fantastic video.
Everything in this is so well done! Just so good I don't even have the words. Many thanks
This is a passion of mine, combining martial arts with bushcraft. I’ve planned out a workout/training camp in a heavily forested area and all the workout equipment was to be constructed from the forest. It’s such an amazing and rewarding lifestyle.
You are still young, but your heart and wisdom are far beyond your years. Never give up your Heart no matter how many sad and evil things you encounter in your life, because you're one of the good ones and I believe in you.
At first in this video I was confused and unsure if you were rhyming. :) Then I realised you were, and when you said "This Is The Way... Of The Staff & Bow" I got goosebumps*****
Awesome 👍
This video just gave me so much motivation. Just watching it I was inspired by how hard you worked and how much fun you had making it. I'm defiantly going to try my best to put this into practice in my own life. Keep up the amazing work.
This is a world that needs to value wisdom as much as money. And in this video is wisdom. And I value it.
This video is the glue that I didn’t know I needed to my life’s philosophy.
I must say that I really appreciate and connect to this content. Thank you for sharing your experiences and understanding.
Just wanted to leave a comment for how much I appreciated this video. I had started watching a few videos from this channel for some general foundational knowledge about staff making and usage for a story I've been working on to get me started. Separately, I've been studying Chinese ancient philosophy for a few months (right now on the Analects and Tao Te Ching to be specific, more will follow later) and have been trying to train my mind for it so to say as one thing I've been terrible at _for years_ has been meditation. I'm also a psychologist by training and my favourite school to study has always been Positive Psychology, which deals with Csíkszentmihályi's concept of flow a lot. So, I can' describe how much of a treat it has been to encounter this video and see all of these topics synthesized together this succintly and with genuine enthusiasm and joy shining through it. I wish all involved the best and hope you keep up the good play!
Well done brother! I have had those moments of effortless flow where nothing exists except you and what your doing. Those natural moments are fleeting, I find. I just do my best and work to not worry about the rest. Love the fun stuff at the end. Thank you.
Absolutely stunning for me the greatness of this movie! All principles I felt for my own how they are working- its passing trough every moment of this movie. I feel Flow!
Great video, truly inspirational and has reminded me of certain joyful aspects of life that I had forgotten. Thank you
This channel deserves way more subscribers. After watching this, I just spent some time in my kitchen with a broomstick playing around and finding the flow, and I realized you're completely right. I think learning the stuff will help me really improve my swordsmanship as well
Glad to hear you have found the way of the stick :)
@@FandabiDozi you're a gem ! Thanks for the reply !
Thanks for sharing this, Ben. 2022 I want to get back to practicing martial arts - last year I had a severe motorcycle accident, lost the ability to walk as well as the person I love(d). A lot of things have been put into perspective and though I spend years in the outdoors contemplating, I realised last year that spiritually, I am stuck.
Funnily enough I bought a nice piece of wood today which I am currently turning into a staff - hoping that by summer I will have healed enough to at least walk a couple of hundreds of meters on my own again. I want to dedicate the coming time to self-development and this video certainly contributes to that path.
Thank you & all the best
Ralf