I was thinking about “right effort” last night at the end of our martial arts class here in Mesa.
Right Effort is one of the factors of the Noble Eightfold Path in Zen, alongside right speech, right action, right livelihood, right intent, right concentration, and right mindfulness. These are often grouped into three broad categories: discipline, concentration, and wisdom. If you’ve ever received an email from me, you might have noticed those three words tucked into my signature—they’ve always been a kind of compass for me.
But the truth is, despite what we intend to do with our time, life rarely cooperates. It throws obstacles at us: family responsibilities, financial stress, health scares, even something as mundane as car trouble.
Right now, my own “stress bucket” feels pretty full. My dad’s health is on my mind, my vehicle’s giving me grief, and my sleep hasn’t been ideal. By the time we reached the end of class last night and began the 21 form, I wasn’t exactly in peak condition.
I Liq Chuan 21 Form
Standing at the front of my students, it would have been easy to just “phone it in.” After all, who would know? I’ve put in my hours, tens of thousands by now. Habit and muscle memory could have carried me through the motions. But looking out over the water, I caught myself: What are you doing? What do you really want here? Because the truth is, when you let concentration slip and effort slacken, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.
That question stuck with me: how often do we cheat ourselves? How many little promises do we break to ourselves in a day, a week, a month? And what’s the cost? Every time we do it, we chip away at our own integrity, our own peace of mind.
“Complete every action with your mind as taut as an iron bow strung with wire. … Use your mind strongly even when you walk down the street, such that you wouldn’t even blink if someone unexpectedly thrust a lance at your nose.”
~Suzuki Shosan
On the flip side, when we bring thought and action into alignment, it feels like “mind and body as one.” That alignment doesn’t make things easier—in fact, it often feels harder. It demands attention, discipline, and a willingness to show up even when you’d rather not. But the payoff is real. Knowing that our actions line up with our values, that we’re practicing the discipline of right effort, brings a kind of steadiness. A peace that isn’t dependent on circumstances, but on the trust we’ve built with ourselves.
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About the Author
Ashe Higgs, I Liq Chuan Master Instructor & L2 Nutrition Coach
Ashe is a highly skilled martial arts instructor and certified nutrition coach with over two decades of experience in the field. He holds a Master Instructor certification in I Liq Chuan under Sam FS Chin, making him one of only several individuals worldwide to hold the title. He has taught classes and workshops worldwide and is passionate about helping others achieve their fitness and wellness goals.
With a background in full-contact fighting and a Level 2 certification from Precision Nutrition in nutrition coaching, Ashe is a well-rounded expert in the fields of martial arts. In addition to his expertise, he has a wealth of experience in teaching and mentoring others. He has a natural ability to connect with his students and inspire them to reach their full potential.
Disclaimers & Conflicts of Interest
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