"Traditionally, bowing is the first thing you do when you enter a dojo and the last thing you do when you leave. It is a reminder that you come and go in peace. Bowing is a form of respect used in the marital arts, as well as throughout Asia. In a Dojo, the act of bowing is considered proper etiquette, equivalent to a handshake in Western cultures. In sparring the gesture sets an atmosphere of good sportsmanship, trust, and safety — implying that no one is there to hurt anyone else. There is a hidden meaning to the bow — it is the recognition of the Divine in another person. This notion is literal. Within each person and everything in our universe is a portion of Divine energy. This may sound blasphemous, but traditional martial arts teaches you to bow to another person because you see the Divinity in that person, because you are both directly connected to the Infinite and thus to each other. The study of martial concepts is a way to unlock this amazing power and to discover what can be done with it.

"Spend a day looking for the good in everyone you encounter as if watching a sunrise over the ocean for the first time — no nitpicking. Shoot them a smile, even if just with your eyes. You are mentally bowing. You are showing respect and admiration for the good in life. Don't worry about if they do or do not see you. Do the same with other things in your environment: places you go, music you listen to, nature, whatever is in your path. At the end of the day, see how good you feel, how much better it is than to have gotten into a clash with a coworker or a cashier at the grocery store. A bow is Divine energy sent into the world. By bowing to someone, you actively choose what kind of energy comes back to you."