I had no connection to martial arts until I met Master Bell when we were looking for martial arts class for kids. After listening to where we were in life, Master Bell recommended the whole family to join. He said, “whatever your need is, bring it to the table, we can do it’. I accepted with some hesitation and joined as a family along with my wife and two grade schooler boys.

I was born in the pristine Andaman islands, a faraway island in Indian ocean. I had a family of mother and father, an elder brother, two younger sisters and a younger brother. In the small town I grew up, we knew someone in every corner. Our behavior somewhere outside would reach home even before we reached home. So I dreamed of a bigger world.

After finishing my school in the islands, I went to a bustling city of Kolkata for my engineering. I survived four years of adjusting to a different lifestyle. I did my Masters in engineering from Roorkee. This was a coming-of-age phase for me. After my education I found a job in the capital city of New Delhi. I enjoyed the freedom and financial stability the job brought to me. Then the opportunity to work in the US came my way. Some of my friends' presence in the US made my move much easier. I've been living and working in the bay area since 1997.

With some stability in my job, it was time for me to get married. I met my wife through an acquaintance. Within a few months of meeting her we got married. We expanded our family with two boys. I could sail through this far with whatever skill and resources I had.

As the family expanded and kids started growing, the choices and responsibilities also grew. My day was structured around my work and kids’ routine. At work I moved up from engineer to manager with more responsibility that needed a different skill set. It was taking the majority of my time. Remaining time was spent driving kids to various classes and attending social activities. Little time I had with kids, I expected so much from them that it brought disappointments. I didn’t have quality time with my wife so the relationship was stagnant. My personal health and other important things were pushed down in priority. Passing away of my parents also created a vacuum. Not having necessary skills to handle all my choices resulted in stressful living. The accumulation of stress showed up in my body as pain. I was in search of a better life. That need opened the door to accept martial arts class.

The class showed me the extreme mental attention needed to meet the physical rigor of jumping jacks, warm up exercises and stretches. This forced me to bring my wandering mind to body and pay attention to what I was doing. Making breathing also part of every physical movement brought relaxation. As I started doing drills, basic and advanced forms (solo battles) I started feeling better. By aligning mind, body and spirit (through breathing) in every exercise, I experienced balance. I started practicing the art on my own to experience that balance more. With the practice, my awareness and discipline increased. I could see the person within, my impulses, habits, impatience, fear, disorder and disappointments. I learnt to look at it with honesty and kindness. Master Bell often reminded, “the art can be as deep as your need”.

With Master Bell’s teaching, some of the accepted social norms didn’t stand the test of reality. Most of the time, I noticed myself justifying or defending my own behavior as I was listening. I learnt to listen to the simple message as expressed without any defense. That helped me to develop a sense of reality and broader perspective. My logical sense and awareness took the place of my weak habits.

After six months into martial arts, I was introduced to the basic Qi Qong system. The foundation for this art is balance within oneself. The practice of still patterns helped me to connect with my life source and elevate the energy. Then I went through an advanced Qi Qong system, learning about meridian lines, pressure points, removing energy blockages, emitting energy and complete rejuvenation of my energy. This helped me to break through my years of hardened emotions and ingrained habits leading towards healing. Now I could consistently experience a relaxed body, quiet mind and stable emotion. I experienced what it meant to be a whole person. I got a better understanding of my choices and the life I lived so far. The result is simplification of my living by defining moral codes and an order with right priorities. Along the way I learnt simple lessons: relationships need to be developed, kids need to be raised and family needs to be built.

With ten years of Martial Arts, Yoga and Qi Qong practice, my quality of existence became better. I understood humility and integrity. I’m developing patience and tolerance by accepting the practice as a way of life. As a 54 year old, I’m in a more peaceful place than I ever imagined. My relationship with my wife became better, where I could see her as my equal partner. As parents we could provide a safe and nurturing environment for kids to grow. Parenting continuously challenges me to develop patience and tolerance. This is allowing me to give my best to kids’ emotional needs. I have a clear separation of work and family that’s healthy. I could be productive and creative at work, bringing along people.

The profoundness of personal growth I went through in becoming a black belt sustains my study and practice of the arts. As a family we know each other better, and are able to love and enjoy each other more. The family is a small supportive community living the same way of life. Looking back, joining the martial arts as a family was one of the best choices we have made.

I’m impressed by the effectiveness and thoroughness of the arts I’m learning in addressing our everyday issues. I’m fortunate to be part of this learning and personal growth. My plan is to continue to study, grow and share my learning with the extended community. It brings another level of challenge and learning opportunity for me. I humbly accept that service.