Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

A Guide To Self-Mastery, How Restrictions Lead To Freedom & Discovering Happiness with Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi #426

173 snips

Feb 14, 2024

Shi Heng Yi, a 35th generation Shaolin Master and headmaster of the Shaolin Temple Europe, shares his wisdom on self-mastery. He discusses the transformative power of structured living, morning reflections, and evening gratitude. Shi emphasizes that true freedom comes from within, not material possessions, and encourages mindfulness through practices like fasting. The conversation highlights the discipline gained from martial arts and the importance of embracing introspection for personal growth. Discover how self-mastery can lead to harmony and balance in everyday life.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Self-Mastery Defined

Self-mastery is a personal journey of perfecting one's own life, not others'.
It involves developing character, health, and emotional well-being for a fulfilling life.

ADVICE

Learning From Experts

Learn from multiple experts, finding common ground and adapting their advice to your life.
Observe yourself and identify what works best for you, combining external wisdom with self-awareness.

ADVICE

Developing Inward Awareness

Cultivate inward awareness by focusing on internal sensations, like listening to your body's signals.
Recognize that awareness is naturally drawn outwards, so actively bring it back to yourself.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

For today’s episode, I’m honoured to welcome Master Shi Heng Yi. He belongs to the 35th generation of Shaolin Masters and began practising Kung Fu at the age of four. In the 36 years since, he’s acquired a wealth of knowledge in Chinese martial arts and Zen Buddhism. He’s now headmaster of the Shaolin Temple Europe in Germany, responsible for the physical and mental development of all the students and disciples of the Buddhist Order in Otterberg.

Along with the free videos he posts regularly to YouTube, Shi Heng Yi has several online training courses via his website, to help teach the basics of the ancient practices he lives by. He wants to bring the wisdom of ‘self-mastery’ to the world in a practical, tangible way – and he does just that in this episode.

This is a wonderful, profound conversation that explores what self-mastery means. While mastering a skill can be taught by others, self-mastery is a personal matter. Our awareness is naturally drawn outwards in life, so we need to cultivate the ability to look inwards.

We discuss some of the ways we can start to do this, from practices of mindfulness and gratitude, to following a structured day. Shi Heng Yi explains what we can learn from the restrictions of temple life, how to identify our attachments and find happiness and freedom within us. Self-mastery, he says, means choosing the middle path of harmony, balance and stability.

We discuss the notion of ‘owning’ ideas and wisdom and discuss the fact that there is no truly original thought. Shi Heng Yi explains that he is not sharing his teachings with the world, only what he has learned and witnessed in life. Everything is infinite so already exists somewhere. Finally, Master Shi Heng Yi explains a beautiful concept – and caution – that our thoughts can shape our destiny.

It really was a privilege for me to have an in-depth discussion with such a knowledgeable, wise and compassionate man. I hope you enjoy listening.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Find out more about my NEW Journal here https://drchatterjee.com/journal

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/426

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.