94. How to Develop the Physical and Mental Strength of a Zen Warrior with Sam Morris

Jun 8, 2017

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Sam Morris, my guest on the show today, after being paralyzed in 1999, was determined not to be the victim of his circumstances. Would you be angry? Resentful? Bitter? All of those are understandable human reactions, but shifting your perspective can turn that injury (or any other tragic accident) into a gift and a catalyst for change in your life and the lives of countless others. Facing his physical paralysis head-on allowed him to see other kinds of paralysis (such as mental or emotional paralysis) for what they are, and to help others overcome them through his Zen Warrior Training. In fact, Sam now experiences more vitality and clarity than he had before his accident. We talk about all that and more in this conversation.

Find Out More About Sam Here:

Sam Morris on LinkedIn Sam Morris on Facebook @zwtraining on Twitter @zenwarriortraining on Facebook @zenwarriortraining on Instagram Zen Warrior Training

In This Episode:

[01:58] - Sam starts things off by sharing his story.
[03:31] - We hear about Sam’s current mindset about his injury and its consequences. He makes clear that he has to be intentional about seeing his injury as a gift.
[04:59] - Would Sam say that his Zen Warrior Training wouldn’t exist if he hadn’t been injured? As he answers, he points out that just about everyone has some kind of paralyzing event -- even if they aren’t literally paralyzed (as he is).
[06:50] - The most important part of the Zen mindset is welcoming every experience without judgment.
[08:47] - Sam explains that reacting to the way that things are is giving up our power to make a choice about how to experience our circumstances. He then digs into what “surrender” means.
[10:36] - There is one thing that we can control; Sam explains what it is, and reveals its importance through a personal example.
[14:55] - Sam talks about breath training, which he finds to be one of the most effective tools for him.
[17:19] - We hear more about the relation between breath training and mindfulness, with Sam explaining that we connect to spirit through connecting to the breath. Once more, he offers a powerful personal example to explain his perspective.
[23:28] - Has Sam had that level of profound experience with breathing exercises since the examples he just described, or were those the pinnacles?
[25:10] - Sam discusses the physical symptoms of his injury, which were always consistent. His healing took place on an energetic level instead. He then explores how he returned to feeling himself as whole after his paralysis.
[27:57] - Stephan shares a profound breath-related experience of his own, which took place on a trip to India.
[30:43] - It’s possible to experience the fact that you are more than your consciousness, but the point gets lost in the explanation, Sam explains. He and Stephan then talk about how disconcerting (and liberating) the process of changing your perspective in that way can be.
[34:29] - You are far more than your thoughts, feelings, and body; you are consciousness itself. Sam digs further into this concept, explaining the sensation of coming to this realization.
[36:32] - What would be an example of a shift that one of Sam’s clients made in which they realized that they are the space (or nothingness) in which things occur?
[39:09] - Sam’s physical paralysis has been the catalyst he needed to be able to help other people overcome their various non-physical kinds of paralysis, he reiterates.
[41:54] - Stephan asks whether one can have the sorts of epiphanies that Sam has been talking about in ways other than breath, then shares an intense and deeply personal experience he had in a float tank.
[45:46] - Sam responds to Stephan’s experience and his question. He then talks about the challenge of integrating a catalyst experience into the rest of your life.
[48:39] - Stephan has never used drugs himself, but had an experience in India that felt like it could have been a psychedelic experience.
[50:49] - The greatest obstacle or impediment to people practicing meditation or breathwork is that we tend to be so results-oriented, Sam explains.
[51:37] - How can people contact Sam if they want to work with him or learn more?

Links and Resources:

Sam Morris on LinkedIn Sam Morris on Facebook @zwtraining on Twitter @zenwarriortraining on Facebook @zenwarriortraining on Instagram Zen Warrior Training Jonathan Fields on the Optimized Geek Breath training Hypnosis Continuum Movement Float tank (isolation tank)