2010 Year of the Metal Tiger

February 16, 2010

February 14th, 2010 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year.  2010 is the year of the White Metal Tiger. This year symbolizes toughness, generosity and wealth earned with hard work. The year is characterized by a dutiful, family oriented and dependable year. During the year of the Metal Tiger, one may show his love [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Chinese New Year — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 7:53 pm

Kung Fu Destiny Turns Two

January 27, 2010

Kung Fu Destiny turns two years old today and a lot has happened during the last year. I have traveled to China for the second time, this time training on the Wudang Mountain. I have written a book about my first trip to China which is available for purchase. I have started my [...]

Found under: Uncategorized — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 11:37 am

Preparations Are Underway

January 20, 2010

I am still working towards a tentative departure of June 2010 for my upcoming move to China.  I have a lot of things that need to be done prior to June so that I can leave without having to worry about things back home while I am away.  I need to secure some travel insurance, [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 9:58 am

My New Book

December 8, 2009

I have spent the last few months working on a book about my first trip to China in 2008.  I put together a selection of pictures along with my journals, which are featured on this site, into a hard bound coffee table book.  The process was long but rewarding.  I was able to relive my [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Martial Arts, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 9:46 am

In Pursuit of Kung Fu Destiny

November 24, 2009

Those that know me will find it no great surprise that I have found my passion in the study of Kung Fu.  To that end I am always studying and researching to further my understanding of kung fu, in particular the unique style of kung fu that is the family of Song Shan Shaolin Temple martial arts.  Along with kung fu there is the study of Chan, or [...]

Found under: Buddhism, Chinese Culture, Gong Fu, Martial Arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Training, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 8:00 pm

Buddhist Meditation Retreat

November 16, 2009

This past weekend I went to a Buddhist meditation retreat conducted by the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom in Chicago, IL.  The retreat lasted from 7pm on Friday the 13th until Saturday the 14th at 12pm and covered the basics of Zen meditation as taught by the Korean Zen tradition.
The Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom [...]

Found under: Buddhism — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 8:54 pm

An Experiment in Non-Attachment

October 19, 2009

The other day I was driving to work contemplating various aspects of Buddhism when I devised a small experiment for myself.  The night before as I drifted off to sleep I was listening to the rain. My mind was trying to decide if it was good or bad that it was raining when I sleepily [...]

Found under: Buddhism — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 3:55 pm

Day 6 Wudang Shan

September 24, 2009

I woke up after a good night’s sleep and got ready.  I spent time packing my suitcase and gathering my things, since we would not have time after breakfast.  Today was our last day training with Zhang Shifu, and I was not sure how long it would take us to learn the remainder of the [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 8:00 pm