BJJ Meditations

A listener writes, asking for a mediation on how pursuits like Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit promote a religion-like sense of community and belonging. We can draw a through line from the 97 Theses to the present, helping us understand how and why we arrived at this moment. And we can examine history to promote a better, healthier culture inside of BJJ while providing the sense of community and belonging. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: bjjmeditations@gmail.com Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Support BJJ Meditations on Mirror: https://mirror.xyz/josephhannnan.eth/iY9vvItSTzydgaXDXFhup3o4HF63TUAjPZ1wik-nPSs Read more of Joe Hannan's work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ John Vervaeke's "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

In this episode, Joe discusses the concepts of certainty and uncertainty in the contexts of jiu jitsu and life. He explores the idea that certainty can be boring and that the pursuit of certainty often leads to fear, anxiety, and doubt. He also touches on the role of coaches and the value of asking the right questions. The host draws inspiration from a book called The Captain Class and shares insights from the show Bluey. Joe concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace the mystery and infinite nature of life. Takeaways Certainty can be boring and may lead to fear, anxiety, and doubt. Coaches can maximize their value by developing the skill of asking the right questions. Competition in jiu-jitsu brings out intense emotions, but it is part of the infinite game of life. Embracing the mystery and uncertainty of life can lead to a more fulfilling experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Training Reflections 06:01 The Nature of Fear, Anxiety, and Doubt in Competition 12:47 The Paradox of Certainty and the Desire for Surprise Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

In this episode, Joe reflects on his current state of mind and training in between competitions. He discusses his tendency to not drive things to completion in his jiu jitsu game and his efforts to improve in this area. He also explores his aversion to finishing things and the emotional import of feeling stupid and fucking up. Joe shares his experiences of training without an edge and investing in loss, as well as his mindfulness practices and their impact on his HRV -- and how these practices connect back to jiu jitsu. He concludes by discussing the uncertainty in his professional life and the importance of learning to dance with grace through life. Takeaways Reflecting on performance and identifying areas for improvement is crucial in jiu-jitsu. There can be a reluctance to finish things due to fear of failure or the unknown. Investing in loss and exploring vulnerabilities can lead to valuable insights and improvements. Mindfulness practices, such as HRV breathing and seated meditation, can help in dealing with uncertainty and being present. Learning to dance with grace through life is a valuable goal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Reference to 'Time Out of Mind' 05:19 The Aversion to Finishing and the Emotional Import of Fucking Up 09:40 Training Without an Edge and Investing in Loss 16:22 Mindfulness Practices and Dealing with Uncertainty Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Reflections from my experiences at the New York Open and the lessons learned from competing, including the importance of finding your own approach to competition and the value of looking stupid. Other areas of exploration include: The journey of psychological preparation The challenges of anxiety and stress Methods for balancing intensity and relaxation for improved performance in performance and the need for balance The importance of self-reflection and growth in the competitive journey  Takeaways Find your own approach to competition and adapt principles to suit your needs. Embrace the value of looking stupid and learn from your experiences. Psychological preparation is crucial for performance in competition. Balance intensity and relaxation to optimize performance. Self-reflection and growth are essential in the competitive journey.  Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Josh Lu of 1-800-BJJ-HELP is back. This time, we're going deep on all things mindfulness and meditation. Josh is a white belt based in San Diego, CA. He's been meditating for 12 years and has spent a total of 45 days (spread out over the years) on silent retreat. He's currently pursuing a mindfulness meditation teacher certification. In this conversation, we discuss the psychological challenges of competing in Jiu Jitsu and the importance of authenticity in finding one's own style. We explore the paradox of change and the illusion of self-improvement, emphasizing the value of being present and accepting oneself. The conversation also touches on the connection between Jiu Jitsu and Boyd Varty's idea of tracking, as well as the application of Jiu Jitsu lessons to life. Josh provides guidance on getting started with mindfulness and the role of journaling in cultivating self-awareness. And the conversation concludes with a guided meditation practice. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. 00:05:50 Reflection on the recent competition 00:09:01 Exploring shame and mindfulness 00:11:55 The feeling side of human experience 00:16:00 The practice of patience and discipline 00:19:04 The importance of an embodied practice 00:21:15 Using mindfulness in coaching 00:28:52 The journey into meditation 00:32:01 The interrelationship between meditation and jiu-jitsu 00:33:51 The value of mystery and the unknown 00:37:56 Navigating the plateau in jiu-jitsu 00:41:34 Optimizing for the long haul 00:42:29 The Psychological Challenges of Competing 00:44:09 The Paradox of Change 00:44:51 The Illusion of Self-Improvement 00:46:21 Being Authentic in Jiu-Jitsu 00:47:35 Finding Your Own Style 00:49:00 Discovering Your Passion 00:50:39 The Themes of Jiu-Jitsu in Life 00:53:38 Trusting Your Intuition 00:55:11 The Connection Between Jiu-Jitsu and Tracking 00:56:18 The Value of Being Authentic 00:57:36 Applying Jiu-Jitsu Lessons to Life 00:58:18 Getting Started with Mindfulness 01:00:31 The Role of Journaling in Mindfulness 01:02:28 Externalizing Internal Thoughts and Emotions 01:03:13 Using Humor to Disarm Negative Emotions 01:04:29 Avoiding Value Judgments in Language 01:08:23 Guided Meditation Practice Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism  

BJJ Meditations sits at the intersection of Jiu Jitsu and the examined life. Part of living an examined life is tending to health and well-being. Skin health presents one of the most complex and pressing challenges in the life of a grappler. What are the best practices and protocols we can use to protect ourselves and our training partner? Dr. Clayton Green is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He's also a BJJ blue belt. In this episode, Doc Green and I go deep on: -- Common diseases of the skin -- Skin care best practices and products -- Gear care best practices and products -- Methods for maintaining a clean training environment Doc Green has graciously offered his personal e-mail address, should you have any questions about skin health in Jiu Jitsu. Just keep in mind that he may not be licensed to practice in your state and consequently, he may provide more general health insights instead of specific skin care advice. You can contact him at green.clayton@gmail.com. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Jiu Jitsu is a thematic exploration of structure (and structurelessness, of course). We dynamically organize our bodies to accomplish certain goals that lead us toward our ultimate objective within the game. Playing in this space of structure-no structure demands a certain amount of discipline. The same skills with which we navigate this structure-no structure continuum on the mat also serve us well off the mat. So, how do we cultivate discipline to accomplish this task? True discipline originates from within. In this episode, I explain how I relate to discipline inside and outside of Jiu Jitsu. I share this in the hopes that you will create your own system, not copy mine. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism #listenable

Jiu Jitsu attracts people who live at the dynamic edge of experience. I think it's because the art strips away all affectation and leaves behind people in their most potent form. This is yet another example of how Jiu Jitsu is a revelation. It shows us something about ourselves. But what we do with that something is up to us. We can use it to be about the work of being a real motherf*cker, or we can run from the shadows. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

BJJ is a door to an examined life. It reveals who we are, stripping away our personas and posturing. It's up to us to decide what we do with what's revealed. We can avoid it, or we can use it to build new levels of self-awareness and fuel growth. Either way, we have choice: Choose to do the work of being, or walk away. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train at Princeton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Read more of my work on Substack: https://joehannan.substack.com/ Follow BJJ Meditations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

This episode is a collaboration with Josh Lu and Jake Luigi, the duo behind the fantastic 1-800 -BJJ-Help podcast. You also may recognize Jake from Less Impressed More Involved BJJ.  It was a real pleasure to sit down and talk with both of these guys, and I'm hoping it's the beginning of many more conversations! As always, some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations 1-800-BJJ-HELP Less Impressed More Involved BJJ Outlier Community #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I've said that Jiu Jitsu is a vehicle for self-improvement. But now, I'm not so sure. I can see that people who train Jiu Jitsu have qualitatively better experiences because of the art. But are they themselves improving? Or are they simply becoming who they really are? This is an important distinction. Here's why. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Rascals make no buts about who they are. They may be bastards, but they're bastards living examined lives. They see the light as well as the shadow. How does BJJ bring our inner rascal to the surface? And what can we learn from this crafty creature? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm back from the Miami Open and covering how it went and, more importantly, what I learned. Contained here is a framework that you can use to goal-set for competitions of your own. Or, better yet, use it to create a framework of your own! Ultimately, much of what happens on the competition mats it is outside of our control. But, how we relate to and learn from the experience, is something within our control. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

What are we fighting against that's fighting right back? What are we trying to silence that only gets louder with the effort? Jiu Jitsu teaches us to work with whatever life, or our opponents, throw at us. But the practical application does little to change the thoughts and feelings that arise during the struggle. What, then, do we do? Perhaps we learn and practice the art of letting go. Artwork by Elizabeth Bass. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

At one point in our lives, we all sang. And then we stopped. Why? Did someone make you feel self-conscious? Criticize you? Humiliate you? Singing is a basic and ancient form of expression. So is dance. BJJ is certainly dance-like. But where is our voice when we need it? And what might the discomfort of singing teach us? Just like the discomfort of Jiu Jitsu teaches us. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Can we study Jiu Jitsu? Or is it a way of life, or a way of being -- perhaps only experienced in its totality via full participation? And is there any distinction between the martial path and the path of everyday life? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Something is amiss. For the first time in my life, I have no idea what a new year will bring. Perhaps you feel the same. I know this: Meeting this year with poise requires newfound levels of presence. Good thing Jiu Jitsu can help. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

We are here because we have chosen the path of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We pursue it often with a singularity of focus. With such a narrow field of view, what are we missing inside and outside of the game? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations Artwork by Elizabeth Bass: https://www.instagram.com/lizkalearns/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm 37. BJJ looks a lot different now than it did in my 20s. And staying in the game requires a bit more effort. These are my BJJ longevity protocols. Some may work for you, others won't. Use them to form the basis of your own. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations  #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm back from a work excursion to Central America. The trip included time on the mats, time in the water, and time in deep conversation. The jungle and the ocean have a way of seeping under your skin and coloring your thoughts. And the sheer biodiversity of the jungle has a way of radiating your being with life force. All require some processing. Join me as I talk through it. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations  #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism