DATSUSARA — Datsusara Life

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting someone I would call a "warrior of integrity". That someone was pro MMA fighter Conor "Hurricane" Heun. He was visiting my home gym (10th Planet, Burbank) and shared some of his thoughts in regards to training and living the life of a pro fighter. He talked about many things but the part that struck me was how he stressed the importance of having personal integrity, and how in doing so you make it easier for others to do the same. Conor spends his days doing what he feels is his calling and he's enjoying it to the fullest. Conor Huen is living the Datsusara way.

It was an interesting to me that Conor should happen to speak so much about integrity tonight because that word has been has been very prevalent in my thoughts lately. In part because I recently chose the words "Natural Integrity" as the new Datsusara slogan. I chose these words for many reasons but mostly because it just felt right to me. In one was it conveys a sense of how we use natural materials like hemp to make strong functional gear. But more importantly it was about the message I hope to share, and the spirit I hope to awaken in us all. That spirit being one of the individual choosing their own way of life rather than accepting something that doesn't ring true.

People often suffer from fear of change, or because they desire things they don't really want, but have been told they need. There is a way out, there is, your way. Be as you were before you were even a glimmer in your parents eyes. Find your way.

“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.” -Joseph Campbell

Thanks again to all of you for the support and encouragement, Datsusara would not exist without you.

The Japanese term "Datsusara" refers to the act of quitting work as a salaryman and finding a new occupation. What does this mean for each of us? As for myself, I feel that life is too precious to be spent doing work that does little to benefit the body, mind or soul and so I chose the Datsusara way. But the act of becoming a Datsusara can be daunting.

Many perceive being Datsusara as a lazy act to avoid responsibility or they have fears due to debt, a dependent family, or other obligations. I assure you it's isn't a lazy man's path. It takes great dedication and commitment to stay the course, but rest assured it's worth it. I can't encourage you enough to spend more of your time doing what you love. Perhaps for you this means you work at home, change careers, start a business, learn new things, have adventures, spend time with loved ones, etc. If things ever start to seem difficult just keep in mind why you chose the Datsusara way.

I have days when running the business can be exhausting even though it's seems that I have an ideal situation. I don't wake up to an alarm, I work at home, I get to hang out with my dog all day and my customers are great people (thank you all for the support!). But it's easy to forget all of these things when I get bogged down with emails, phone calls, fulfilling orders and dealing with defective units or the rising costs of manufacturing.

I find it's critical to keep the greater vision in mind or risk falling into a self imposed pattern of slavery, which is exactly what we are trying to prevent by becoming Datsusara. For me, this means remembering that I'm working at changing people's perception of hemp, which in turn will improve our world in a myriad of ways. Every Datsusara will have their own way of being, you don't have to intend to change the world, but by simply finding your true path, you will change the world for the better.

Be Datsusara.

"Follow your bliss" - Joseph Campbell

"Have fun, and don't take it too seriously" Jeff Bridge's Mother

Datsusara Life

Warriors of Integrity

The Datsusara Way