Third Monkey Productions LLC

Author: burke.gt59

  • The Curse of Unconscious Living

    There’s a quiet, invisible curse running through much of modern Western life, one so normalized, so embedded in our culture, that many of us don’t even realize we’re under its influence. It’s not some grand tragedy or external evil. It’s something far subtler, yet far more devastating. It’s the curse of unconscious living, of walking…

  • WHY Kata is Important by Tom Callahan Shihan

    First Published: January 24, 2024 Shihan Tom Shihan Tom is a 6th-dan in Kyokushin and has been a teacher for many around the world. He’s always seeking to learn more and teach more. The General Misunderstanding of Kata When discussing full-contact martial arts, (karate specifically), the mention of kata is often met with a yawn or…

  • Change: The Only Constant

    If there is one truth that life has never failed to teach me, it’s this: change is the only constant. Seasons shift, bodies age, circumstances evolve, and whether we welcome it or resist it, change comes. Often it arrives uninvited, altering our daily rhythms, our expectations, even our sense of who we are. And yet,…

  • Strengthen Your Faith in Yourself: A Guide from the book The Iron Road

    In today’s whirlwind of constant change, the pressures of modern life can feel relentless. Between the unending stream of bad news, unrealistic expectations at work and school, the demands of social media, and the uncertainty of global events, it’s no surprise that mental well-being often takes a backseat. But just as we know the importance…

  • Mushin: Living with a Mind Like Water

    Mushin In Japanese martial arts, there is a concept known as mushin (無心), often translated as “no mind” or “empty mind.” At first glance, it might sound like a state of blankness or passivity, but in reality, mushin is a highly active and engaged state of being. It’s a mindset where one is free of…

  • Never Too Late

    By Gene Burke In a world that often glorifies youth, it’s easy to feel that opportunities are reserved for the young and the bold. However, I stand here as a testament to the idea that it is never too late to pursue your passions and explore new avenues, regardless of your age. Life is a…

  • Watching My Dog Be Happy: A Lesson in Life

    Some of life’s greatest lessons come from the most unexpected teachers. Recently, my wife and I made a decision that, on the surface, looked like “just” adopting a dog. But as I sit here reflecting, I realize it was much more than that, it was the beginning of a subtle but powerful shift in how…

  • The Milo Principle: A Journey of Constant Growth and Adaptation

    By Gene Burke The story of Milo of Croton, the ancient Greek wrestler and strongman, has fascinated people for centuries. Milo was renowned not just for his strength, but for the unique way he approached training. The story goes that he began lifting a calf every day, and as the animal grew, so did Milo’s…

  • Kyokushin Karate Lesson with Anthony Codispoti Shihan at The Phoenix Way

    If you are looking for a YouTube channel that always has top-tier martial arts content, you should absolutely check out Shihan’s YouTube Channel “The Phoenix Way”, you always step away learning something!!! This video is posted with the permission of Anthony Codispoti Shihan…ENJOY And please subscribe to his YouTube channel!

  • Kyokushin Karate Lesson with Anthony Codispoti Shihan at The Phoenix Way

    If you are looking for a YouTube channel that always has top-tier martial arts content, you should absolutely check out Shihan’s YouTube Channel “The Phoenix Way”, you always step away learning something!!! This video is posted with the permission of Anthony Codispoti Shihan…ENJOY And please subscribe to his YouTube channel!