Dec 05 - How/Why this started ...

This was to be a place for me to practice web design stuff, experiment, digital art and keep a photo track/log of the development of "Zen" the Boat and our adventures for our friends and family. I guess it is a natural development of being an artist sailor. For the most part it is not a public place so... YOUKOSO ( welcome) to our Kazoku Wa (family circle). I'm a bad speller, so deal with it, life is short.

It is a treat seeing the different places people are logging in from , so leave your mark in the guest log. One day this site may be moved to another server, so check in from time to time, for updates and new stuff, this will be an on going art project...

My first boat, was a Pearson Ariel, a 26 foot Racing Cruiser, I named Kuan Yin. I learned to sail on her. I did not have any real sail experience before that. Other than a few times out on a 45ft plus Sailing Yacht, formally belong to the late movie star Jane Mansfield. If you remember her, your old... anyway other than that no sailing. I just jumped into it. A bit of guidance from a old sailor on one practice trip out, a few books read, a Power Squad Safety course and I was off...

Zen: Now that I have had her for awhile and been out several times. I am really liking the feel of her. The more weight feels more comfortable than the Ariel, Kuan Yin. I like not getting bounce around so much by passing boats. Especially the clowns with PowerCruisers who do not give basic sea repect with their wakes... Bacas!

Anyway, I got Zen with the intention of getting her and myself ready for a retirement trip to Japan. There lady Zen and I will live for a couple of years aboard and decide what to do with hopefully the rest of our Golden Years.

So far the only thing I do not like, ok , two things i do not like are 1. No head room when sitting in the V-berth 2. The cockpit is too open. Both can be lived with with some thought.

Since this will take several years of pre-work who knows what will develop as the years float on. Maybe I'll get something already to turn key and sail by that time. We'll see how the path unfolds... God, may have other plans...

Feb 06

Lots of work done since last post. New table top, installed stereo, with four way speakers, new microwave, carpet on the inside hull, dish racks, new solars vent fan in v-berth, fixed bildge pump, new cabin lights. Fixed a couple of leaks. I have a tiller tamer to install, a couple of new sheet cam cleats and new water hoses to do. Spring sail is right around the corner. Tenative sail plan is 3/4/06. Maybe the seat covers will be ready by then. Also old name removable before the sail.

April 12

We just came back last week from Japan ( Japan 06). With the passing of Miyatani Otousan (RIP), Okasan will be moving to Osaka area out of Fukuoka. I really enjoyed the country side there, however city life is more logical for her and us.

Lady Zen and I had our aniversary yesterday! I had hoped to have a Cherry Blossom Anniversary sail this week. However it has been a week of rain, with more on the way. Grrr. I'm ready to sail. The old name has been purged from the boat I wanted to have a lil pre sail ceremony before launching for the spring. Something "zen"like of course. The toe rails trim are starting to look really good. The new radio is nice. I can now switch from House battery to shore power.

So now the plan is to set sail for Kobe as our new home port. Ofcourse we are talking in the future...

Bay Shaolin/Japan, hmmm I like it.

Interesting side note. I use to say I would sail to Japan and maybe do some Zen studying & Ceramics.

I just found a guy who is a reknown sailor from Japan who is a zen master...hmmmmmm Teaches Sailing with a zen philosophy.

April 14th - Zendo Sailing

The Miyatani family seal looks perfect in there ne! In honor of Miyatani Otousan
So we have come up with this idea to teach Sailing in Kobe City. This would be our retirerment business. I have checked into becoming ASA certified. 1st Class is June 6. Basic Keel boat sailing. Funny how one thing lead to another sometimes. I had no thought about doing teaching sailing until this guy, also from Ca we met in Japan brings it up.

For now seems like a good idea... more research...

April 15,

I finished up the starboard side trim for the most part. It took all day but it looks good. Very promising for the future.

Rain or shine the Naming is Easter Sunday. Same day as wedding , has to be symbolic...even if just to me.

We'll see if it rains in the morning ...

Easter Sunday 4/16/06

We had our official naming ceremony today. Easter Sunday. We were married on Easter Sunday a couple of years ago , so I thought it would be a good to have s/v Zen naming today.

It rained... alot!! When we woke up planning on having breakfast on the boat. That was quickly cancelled. After a bit the rain slowed then stop, however it was still very cloudy and could start again anytime.
Let's go I say... we head off.

Starts raining again on the wat to the marina, as we walk down the dock it is quite steady.
Once we get on board... the sun comes out within moments it is Sunny and warm!
Too late for a sail but enough time for a naming before Lady Zen heads off to work...

Sunday May 6th

Yesterday was Cinco de mayo. I think it was one year ago I purchased Zen. I would have to check but for some reason that day stands out in my mind.

I took the ladys out for a short sail today. It was unexpectedly windy. I got to give it a shot under just the headsail fro the first time. It was interesting. Found I could not turn into the wind needed to turn away inorder to tack. The seas were not calm so the ride was rather bumpy. Once I found a slot going somewhat down wind, SMOOTH ride. Lady zen took a nap at that piont. However because of all the roughness on othersail points she got a bit seasick she told me after we dock. It might have just hit when we wre heading to port. Other wise it was a nice little sail.Just using the roller jib made it easy to wrap up things when we were done.

May 11th

A sail day

I went out today, first time single handed in awhile, first time ever under the new name. Launching always makes me uncomfortable, today it was PERFECT! I was off to a good start.

Tried out the GPS as planned. I did get a late start as I had to go into the office, then I had to go back because I forgot to spell check something that was going out, my bad. That what happens when you rush! anyway...

Why is it the wind is always good when you first start and when you are coming back near to the marina. In between it is iffy.

Why do tug boat drivers, who are supposed to be Professionals, not even back down 1 bloody knot as they go by with their big AS$ wakes, grrrrrr

THe over all sail was good. I learned a couple of things today. one by accident. I can brace the tiller extension on the side of the cockpit seat and do not need to use the tiller tamer to hold course for a few moments.

I did my first wing on wing today. Crap made me so paranoid about an unplanned ghib(sp), which ended up happening. Good thing I was somewhat prepared. Happened whilst I was taking pictures of some seal.

Top speed upwind (beating) 4.5k Top speed on a run 5.5k sweet! Four hour sail. I'm pleased I did not use the motor ( I was close though ) after I set the sails, until I drop the sails at the marina entrance.

Dock was also perfect, however I really need to get a midship cleat, that would be way helpful.

The webbing around the cockpit, sucks, that has got to go. The winch handles get caught in it. Need to have some weather cloth instead.

Oh, My marina, now has wireless Internet. However I could not connect without an account :-(
30.00 per mo or 8.00 a day. poo I was hoping to slip in there free! get it "slip" in ... hahaha, ok fine :-(

May 20, 2006

Feng Shui, Tai Chi, Sailing & Zen

It came to me whilst returning from Tai Chi practice today that the four are very similar. According to the Tao Te Ching and the teachings of Lao Tzu they are most likely the same or at least brothers/sisters of the same mother. I had the revelation before about Feng Shui and sailing but today came the Tai Chi awareness and it all clicked. Like when I became a vegetarian while walking through a supermarket in the meat section seeing all the dead animals, but that is another story I digress. I saw the Zen tie-in earlier also while thinking about this sailing instructor in Japan that is a "Zen" master he teaches his advance students sailing with some aspects of Zen philosophy. I thought, yeah, I can see that!

It all makes sense. I named my boat "Zen" which is "Chan" in Chinese by the way. Chan Buddhism ( Zen in Japanese ) was developed in the Shaolin Temple which is where my Kung Fu roots are. I am something like a 10th or 11th generation Sifu/Shrfu/Sensei in direct linage I forget which, it is just for reference. Anyway in Chinese the last boat was named Kuan Yin. Kuan Yin is the Chinese Deity who achieved enlightenment. However instead of going to the next "level" plane of being let's say, she chose to stay behind and help lead/direct people to receive enlightenment. She is often shown as riding a Sea Dragon. Since my first boat was more of my learning venture, I felt "Zen" was a good name for this one, having achieved some further "enlightenment" about sailing. It will also take me to "Nirvana" in this case meaning "Blue Water" kind of deep thoughts ne?!

Anyway, Feng Shui is the Chinese study of balancing energy in your environment ( which I am certified by the way to do if you need a reading ). Feng Shui means wind and water. So obviously right, wind /water = sailing. Sailing is finding that balance between wind energy and water and the effect it has on your boat equals = sailing. The better balance there is, the faster and more efficient you sail. You, the boat, the wind and the water are in harmony, you have good "Feng Shui"

Now this also translates to Tai Chi. Tai Chi is the balancing of yin and yang, wind/water, positive/negative. I'm not speaking just of Tai Chi Chuan, which is translated out loosly to Grand Balanced/Harmonious Fist. I'm speaking of just Tai Chi the essence. The Yin /Yang symbol you see with the black and white. Hmm I just thought of some racial signification , but I'll go into that later perhaps. So referring back to balancing of the elements we can see how Tai Chi, Feng Shui and Sailing are related. Sailing balancing the effect of wind power/energy on your sail causing a Yin reaction on your boat eg: moving. That in turn translates into a yang energy on the water which in turn turns Yin as the boat passes through the water. Tai Chi, the better you're in balance with yourself and your opponent the better fighter or healthier ( from a non-violent spiritual perspective ) you are.

In Tai Chi Chuan it is us who are the Yang energy moving through air, which turns into Yin when doing the solo form. On the other side when doing push hands with a partner or combat, we change from Yin to Yang energy depending on what we need to accomplish or avoid, as in pain. In sailing we need to be aware of the changes in the wind in order to remain in harmony with the elements and move forward. With Tai Chi Chuan the Yang energy coming at us may be very violent eg: punches and kicks. We need to adjust our energy to be more Yin to absorb/redirect this violence back into our attacker or ground this energy so as we are not hurt. In the Sailing world sailing this would be gales, high winds, storms, etc. That energy needs to be absorbed/redirected into the sails, grounded into the water so that we are not hurt or stopped and continue to move forward or at the least in the case of heaving-to at peace/centered in the storm.

All take understanding of changes in energy flow, "feeling" the environment. Balancing the energy of the environment to archive harmony/peace/a state of Zen/a great sail

5/22/06

I have a blogup were some of this comes rom and some of that from here it is kind of a hassle to do two, but some of it is just copy and paste , some of it is different. I have come across some interesting folks via there. One day I'll have to combine them somehow or something...http://zensekai.blogspot.com

The Spiritual Sailor

2006/7/14 (266 reads)

I am currently reading The Tao of Sailing, written by a sailor naturally, and being a student of the Tao and a fan of Tao Te Ching I find it interesting how the author ties it in with the art of sailing, perfect sense to me. Of course in the Taoist/Zen thought/mind everything is tied together. I just recently finished reading a book called Journey of a Hope Merchant an excellent book for those of you interested a sailor's adventure of life, death and love struggles. If it was movie (and it maybe at some point) it would be a good date movie. I had the chance to ask the author a personal question about his spiritual ideals before and after his voyages. I was pleasantly surprised at his willing openness to share his thoughts. Then there is the sailing Zen master in Japan who teaches his advanced students elements of Zen he came to understand after doing his ocean voyages. Another gratify moment of even getting a reply from him, to me speaks volumes. I have touched before in my verbal ramblings about my feelings on Zen/Tai Chi/Feng Shui and the Tao. I understand that being a sailor does not make one naturally spiritual any more than it makes one an environmentalist, though they should go together ( perhaps another topic). I was only slightly shocked to recently read an on-line newsgroup posting about yacht clubs and Black members. One person in NY stated it was their clubs unofficial policy not to rent slip space to Blacks for obvious reasons. I did not understand what the obvious reasons were, nor did I get an answer from the poster. I do know that obviously this was not a spiritual minded club. The sea, the earth, the wind does not discriminate. The wrath of nature will take everyone whose time is up, or does something very stupid, with no care to race, color or creed. Now, understand when I refer to spiritualness I am not talking about religion. Religion and Spiritualness are different. The KKK is full of religious people, wars are fought over religion, Baby Bush is religious. Religion does a fair amount of separating humans, Spiritualness brings us together. I believe God/the Universe/The Great Spirit/ The Creator/Jah/The Force whatever limiting name mankind places on Him/Her/It is more concerned, if one can say that, with humankinds true heartfelt Spiritualness than, the bible thumpers who preach fire and brim stone versions of "their true brand” of religion. I think the true message of Jesus / Mohammad / Buddha the like is about true Spiritualness. Back to sailing, is there something in the act of sailing that touches some people to the degree that they get a spiritual enlightenment? Perhaps it is some type of trigger for those who are already of that mindset. I know there are many many more sailors out there than I have or will ever encounter, and many of those are far less than spiritual. However those that I have encountered all for the most part share the same basic spiritual awareness that we are but a small part of the greater whole and should respect each other as such. To disrespect a part of nature is to disrespect ourselves (there is that environmental thing again). So are sailors on a whole more spiritual? I guess that would depend on who and what they are compared to, however I think on a whole the very act, the need to sail, the desire to connect to the wind and water, to achieve that Feng Shui Harmony, Yin Yang balance, without the noise & pollution of man-made propulsion is, even if not seen/recognized as such, a calling of the Spirit, ...even perhaps, the desire to be one with God.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Tai Chi, Sailing and Laser racing Yup this is one of those post. I read the Tillerman's, a well respected sailing blogger's post about racing and taking snapshots views instead of video . What he started doing, by seeing "snapshots" is what I will expand on but, I will to speak on it from different perspective and another level. Anyway he got me to thinking, sometimes that is dangerous an old girl friend use to say, one reason why she is an old gf, remarks like that, but I digress... Once a upon a time not so long ago the T-man asked for suggestions on what he should so to help his training. I said Tai Chi. He no doubt thought I was being humorous. I was not. Explanation to follow later... We say Kung Fu helps with everything you do , it is not just about fighting. That is the smallest part of the training. One of my old teachers who was not a Tai Chi Master but a Arnis /Kali Master, that knew Taichi at least the principals & fundamentals, many of which were used in Kali ( A Philippine martial art). He was hired to work with the Dallas Cowboys at one of their camps. Why you may ask, because he could help them move and deal with energy. Now that is only one part of expanded use of Tai Chi, which I have spoken of before. As in dealing with wind energy and the transfer of that to the boat and sailing. Now, we have another saying the Kung Fu makes you more "aware". As in, aware of yourself and your environment as well as others around you. Feeling the "vib" as I call it, or as they said in Star Wars the "force" Tai Chi is a form of Kung Fu. In Tai Chi we start with that awareness training internally, within ourselves and learn to expand that to others. To know your opponent first you must know yourself. We start with the single form, learning about our body, how to balance it. Then we move to partner practice, where we learn more about ourselves and balance, our weak points our strong points. Next step is expanding that "awareness" to your partner their balance their weak points when they move, & when they are still. Using that expanded awareness you learn to contract or expand that awareness, extending the force field you can say. Expanded, walking through a strange area, looking , feeling for something strange, danger or in the case of sailing feeling the wind, looking/feeling for shifts, feeling the boat, the water. Is it balanced, am I balanced in it, if I was sitting in another position would it be better balanced with itself, with the water, with the wind. Same as if using a weapon or a double weapon, the weapon is no longer something that you are holding it/they is/are part of you. You and it/them must be in balance, the old be one with the weapon saying. In this case, being one with the boat, wind and water. With a partner feeling their weight shift, the balance change, tension. Learning to read their body. In awhile you can do that without touching them, seeing how the body is set, weighted to move. So, in racing and sailing we need to be aware of the wind changes, patterns. Taking in the environment, feeling and seeing not just what is in front of us, but small changes in the water, the body of the competition. Looking feeling, sensing, seeing small things while looking at big things... Not only the wind, but the feel of your boat & yourself everyday we are a little different. The training, forms, breathing, drills helps us stay as centered, balanced as much as possible...aware. Add to that the mind/mental state of being in meditation, calm, but actively aware. The more aware you are and better able to use that on multi levels the better you sail.