NATHAN'S BLOG

Endless Wave

9/4/2021

I'd like to introduce you to my newest Ebook that I've coauthored with Michael Brooke, called "The Endless Wave: Skateboarding, Death and Spirituality"

The book is written in two halves, each representing two different perspectives.

The first half written by Michael reflects on his experiences as a former Skateboard Magazine Editor and now Funeral Home Assistant, while the second half has been written from my perspective, as a Clairvoyant Healer and a Skateboarder.

Our aim with this book has been to bridge the worlds of Skateboarding and Spirituality, start conversations around the nature of death and dying and support Skateboarders in understanding topics such as grief, acceptance, death and rebirth.

Endless Wave is available as a free PDF, which you can download below:

Text Only Version (PDF)

Text and Images Version (PDF)

To read the Media Release and find out more information about Endless Wave, please visit our website at
https://ooksvision.wixsite.com/endlesswave

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Skateboarding as Prayer and Meditation

5/14/2021

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Skateboarding has been a big part of my life for over 20 years. I've always loved all things Skateboarding, just finding ways to be involved and keep the fire burning.

One of the big lessons that I've learnt through skateboarding is that as the years go by, your expression or interests can change, you might find a different way to skate or enjoy skating differently to when you first started out, yet your passion and enjoyment for it doesn't.

I've been pondering on this for a while and have had the realization that Skateboarding is a form of prayer and meditation. Skateboarders and Yogis may not think of these things being related or they may not consciously think of Skateboarding in this way.

I'd like to shred some light on some of these concepts.

Skateboarding as Prayer
I know this kind of philosophy can be applied to any other art form or sport, but Skateboarding, in my eyes, is so much more. It reaches into the realms of culture, lifestyle, a spiritual experience of it own kind.

I know that commonly, Prayers are thought of as an element of connecting with the Divine, commonly found in a religious kind of way. Prayer could also be defined as a powerful way to be in the present in the moment and a way of relating to the Divine, ourselves and others.

Prayer brings people together. Skateboarding brings people together. Those that pray together stay together. Those that play together stay together. You open each other up, you bond, you communicate, you raise the energy.

You find inspiration within and around you, you set out to learn something new or master it in your own way, you find a way to express this and you celebrate your successes, as do others.

You connect with history and become a part of paving and co-creating history. You draw on your inspiration from those who came before you and you become inspiration for those after you. The Skateboard experience is such a visual journey and so the representation of it found in artifacts such as photos and videos play such an important role in helping to connect Skateboarders across time and space.

I feel like this is where one connects with the Spirit of Skateboarding. When they pay their respects to the generations past, present and future, experience and enjoy the process of learning, expressing and sharing, in spirit of non-competitive, non-judgmental kinds of ways. Your Heart and Soul goes into Skateboarding when it is done with love and respect and there's something for everyone.

As you roll further along on this path, Skateboarding opens you up to other people and other interests, yet the mindset that you can experience from it stays with you for life.

This then leads us into the Meditative aspect of Skateboarding.

Skate Meditation
When you go into the zone to do your own thing, you transcend your own limits. You go beyond your doubts and fears. You might accomplish something that you look at differently when you are off your Skateboard.

I know that a lot of Skateboarders can relate to the feeling and process of learning and trying a trick.

From my experience, there are a lot of questions and a lot of factors to consider when Skateboarding.
For instance,
- what do your feet need to do?
- How should you position your body and body weight?
- What's happening in your surroundings?
- Are there other Skaters to look out for?
- What speed do I need to approach at?
- Are there any cracks? Are there oncoming pedestrians or traffic?
- Is there someone at the spot that will try to prevent you from Skating?
- What angle do you need to ride up to the obstacle at?
- What are your options if you need to jump off?
- Is the tripod, person filming or shooting set up and ready?
- When I eject my board, are they safe?
- Do I have a person Board-saving in case my Board goes onto the road or into the direction of other people?
- Is there rain or wind affecting my ability to skate this spot?

When reflecting on this, there are so many questions that would be asked, so many factors that could create a lot of mental chatter, yet the focus that Skateboarders require to do their thing, astounds me.

This is my friend, Dane Burman. He is one of the most influential Skateboarders who is pushing the limits of modern Street Skating. I honestly don't think he could skate the way he does if he wasn't in his state of
hyper-focus! Transcending the mind, going into the body and making his skate ideas in his imagination becoming a reality!

(If you're interested, take the time to read this interview of my friend, Dane Burman, whom I feel, really puts all of this into practice in the video and words that follow.)

Skateboarders require this kind of dedicated attention, while being able to answer these questions, let go of the distractions and be very present and in the moment. It can be easy to fixate on some of these questions while Skateboarding and feel stuck or think that certain feats are not possible. However with practice, one reaps confidence and with confidence, there is intention and desire. It's the meditation and trance-like experience of Skateboarding that gets us beyond all of the questions.

You might start with these factors and questions in mind when you get to your spot and you start warming up for your trick. You might start doing a few practise moves or start flicking your board. You might try and visualize what to do. You might start rolling around, finding that line, trying and committing to landing and roll if you're feeling it, if it feels good. You go above, below and through. You carve, kick turn balance, grind, slide. You flip, catch, land. You roll away. The energy is high. You celebrate yourself. Your friends cheer you on. You replay the footage and see if it came out alright. You watch it again and again. You're on a high from your victory.

I know that there is a transformation of consciousness that takes place on a Skateboard.
To the uninitiated and outside onlookers, it might look like a wheeled, wooden toy. It might look like another "sport" choice. It might look like a dangerous, disruptive or juvenile activity that damages urban environments.

To the initiated, they are alchemists. They transform lead to gold. They transform their own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual limits. The alchemist tests their body, mind and spirit. They learn to let go, they learn to commit and trust themselves and their board. They experience what it feels like to roll away and to keep rolling along.

I know that these kinds of experiences evoke a sense of feeling high. They release a combination of feel-good brain chemicals such as Dopamine, Endorphins and Serotonin, which are great at leaving you feeling happy, sleeping better, releasing anxiety, stress and rolling into older age!
While medical research stipulates that the Pineal Gland calcifies in older age, leading to disrupted hormones, affecting things like sleep, moods and energy levels, amongst other things, research has also shown that meditative experiences contribute to healthy stimulation of the Pineal Gland.

Skate-Meditation is the Fountain of Youth!

This is Mr Kinoshita from Japan. He is 81 years old and loving Skateboarding! Image sourced from https://unofficialnetworks.com/2020/09/21/rap-old-skater/

I know that Skateboarders know the feeling. They crave it. It keeps them youthful and I know that many Skateboarders see the world differently after these deep and meaningful experiences. They might not have the words to explain or explore this, but I think that Skateboarders are like Yogis.

The way they connect and be present in their bodies. The level of attention and focus to push themselves and open themselves up. They experience and traverse the world differently.

Skateboarding builds character. It connects one with their Soul. Though it can be seen as fast paced and noisy by some, it's meditation in movement. Skateboarders are pushed to be in their altered state quite quickly. This is how Skateboarding is enjoyed best - focussed and fun.

I recognize this when I see people skating and they're having fun. They're focussed and they're enjoying it because it's working for them. The days that it's not working, the day that boards get thrown around, deliberately broken, they're the days that there are distractions, other forms of interference getting in the way.

Skateboarding's message is simple.

Have fun. Find joy through play. Explore creativity through self-expression. Bond with others through sharing love. Focus on what you want rather than what you don't want. Become immersed in your inner and outer world. Meditate to appreciate. Appreciate to meditate. Go within. Share the feeling. Roll forever.

This is the essence of Skateboarding.

Blessings and love,
Nathan and Friends

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Riding the (Concrete) Wave of Skateboarding, Life and Death

5/14/2021

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Recently, I had another Knee Surgery, which has meant no Skateboarding for a while on one hand and on the other, it has brought me opportunities to connect more with myself.

I set the intention to write more productively every day and working on pieces of writing that I would actually share or contribute towards a bigger project. It's been a while but I'm ready and open! I've been mostly writing for myself, taking the time to introspect the past several years.

On that very day that I started writing, the words flowed like they always had. I took some time to centre myself, connect with my angels and guides. I wrote my title, set the intention for my topic and relaxed and breathed deeply.

Then my fingers started typing, while it felt like the words were being dictated to me inside my mind.

That is the power of Automatic Writing!

So that very afternoon, I received an Email from Michael Brooke, a humble man, known as the former editor of Concrete Waves Magazine. We connected after he read a post that I had written 8 years ago, titled "My Spirituality and Skateboarding"

I had mixed emotions receiving this email.

First, the name "Michael" is important to me, as it represents a connection to Archangel Michael, who usually shows up in my life to guide me when I ask for protection, safety, security and guidance on purpose-related questions. I've had many of these "Michael" experiences in my life that have been life-affirming, life-changing and have brought me a great sense of relief.

For instance, when I was in Hawaii, I hadn't booked a transfer from Kona airport to my hotel and I asked Archangel Michael to send someone to pick me up promptly. As soon as I said this, the driver who pulled up was picking up someone going in the same direction as me. The Driver's name was "Michael".

Image sourced from https://www.klook.com/activity/20247-shared-kona-airport-transfers-hawaii/

Or when I was seeking to move over and work in Okinawa to be with my Wife, I prayed and I was sought out by a name maned "Mike", who ran an English Teachers network and helped me with my internship, homestay experiences and future employment, business networking and different opportunities around the island.

Image sourced from http://studyandinternjapan.com/#sijHome

For me, receiving Michael's message affirmed to me that I'm on the right path and writing and expressing myself more is definitely the way to go! So yes, I felt really excited about this life-affirmation!

Back to Concrete Wave, I was kind of speechless and in awe. I used to read Concrete Wave Magazine when I was a Teen. In a nutshell, it was a Skateboard magazine with inclusion at the forefront. All disciplines, all styles, all skateboarders. I grew up skating mostly on the streets as I didn't enjoy skating parks and loved exploring and filmography, so range and variety of locations was always my focus. I wasn't that interested in skating any other ways but felt that if others could find skateboarding and enjoy it in their own way, that was a really cool and inspiring thing.

Michael is also the author of one of the best books on skateboarding history, called "Concrete Wave - The History of Skateboarding". He recently sold the magazine and is now an Assistant Funeral Director in Toronto, Canada.

Michael shared with me about some of his experiences as an Assistant Funeral Director, his spiritual awakening and consequently the journey that followed after. Basically, Michael supports families through counseling and at funerary procedures for life after death.

Over the years, I've had my share of experiences with the grieving and dying, which usually take place some time after they have crossed over.

Imagine the kinds of healing partnerships that we can form if we had Funeral Directors on board to prepare the family for the dying and connecting with the Dearly Departed after.

http://www.atranquilpassage.com

A Tranquil Passage
Michael recently started a podcast called "A Tranquil Passage", which is all about exploring the sensitive topic of death and dying. Michael's intention is to use music, asking podcast guests to explore "10 songs they'd like to be remembered for at their funeral or end of life celebration" as a catalyst to opening up to the topic of death and dying.

I was a guest on Michael's Podcast recently, where we discussed some of our experiences with death and dying in my work and explored the 10 songs that I want to be remembered by (listed below).

You can listen to the full episode of the podcast on Spotify via this link or in the player below.

Thank you for the opportunity to connect in this way Michael!

I love that we have roots in Skateboarding, which builds up our foundations as people, then we grow, expand outside of that world and come back into it in another way. In this kind of light, we have the potential to bridge communities and worlds. I love that as people, we share a common interest or thread, which then becomes a celebration of the parts of the world that we each explore.

I know there are many more Skateboarders bridging different gaps in the world, inside and outside of their Skateboarding. If you are a Skateboarder or anyone who is interested in exploring different topics through this blog, please email me.

Blessings and love,
Nathan and Friends

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My Spirituality and Skateboarding

8/11/2013

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My Thoughts on Skateboarding After 13 years

Spirituality is a way of life which can be applied to whatever way we choose to express ourselves in life. Recently, Saint Germaine spoke to me about the essence of Spirit in everything that we do. One aspect of Spirituality is the meditation, quiet time, and prayer (which is the feminine or yin energy), while the other aspect Spirituality is the way we apply it and make it practical into everyday life (which is the masculine or yang energy).

I have been a skateboarder since I was 13 years old. Besides being an excellent way to stay grounded, it is a highly unique and expressive activity which, according to my Spirit Guide Jay, "doesn't exist anywhere else in the whole, entire Universe". Reflecting on what Saint Germaine has spoken to me about, here are some of the spiritual lessons that I have learnt through my blessed time on four wheels;

1. Not to judge others -
Skateboarders come from all different walks of life. I am a Clairvoyant Healer, School Teacher, Son, Brother, Husband and Step-Dad. What are some of the hats that you wear? Although we are all from different backgrounds, we all have a common intention in mind - to have fun and enjoy the good times. Kids - remember to show respect to your spots, your friends, and your board and you'll enjoy yourself! There is no need to create tension by judging others, as that just sends out a vibe that is awkward for you and everyone involved. Focus on your skating rather than hating. Think of all that wasted thought and energy that goes into picking on the way someone looks or skates. The Chinese Man with the long hair and numerous tattoos on his arms, turned out to be a dear friend and mentor of mine. Redirect that energy into having fun with your skating!

2. We are all unique -
We each choose to express ourselves in our own ways and we all have our own styles. Be yourself off board and on board. Just because you can't do a trick that another skater can do, it's no big deal. You'll find your 'goto' trick and make it yours. I can't frontside 180 ollie properly after all these years, so instead, I find something to do on my skateboard that resonates with me and I still have a good time doing what I love and expressing myself in the best way that I can.

3. Patience -
Skateboarding is an art. As the artist, you are continually progressing. No art is learnt in an instant. If it were that easy and simple, then everyone would be doing what you are doing. Think of how much talent and skill you have acquired for what efforts you can produce. Appreciate how far you have come in any skill that you have learnt, for there is no one else that can do it just the way you do it. Be patient with yourselves, and celebrate your successes. Perhaps you spent hours trying a trick at a spot or learning a trick? Think of the progression involved as you become more and more mindful about how you are moving. Remember no empire or great city was completed overnight, just as no journey is completed in a single step.

4. Visualisation -
I get to a spot and look at it from all different directions. Sometimes I have something to amuse myself with and other times, it is more enjoyable to sit and watch my friends through my eyes or through the lens, which is equally just as much fun. I work with what I've got up my sleeve and what is in front of me, and this comes down to acceptance.
Say if I am skating this spot, I imagine in my mind, what I could do at this spot. Or if I am trying to work out how the board is to move, I'll visualise what it looks like, and then incorporate a visualisation of how my body moves. Or when I am filming, I'll visualise how it would look through the camera from that angle, or when I am editing video footage, I visualise the song and timeline and the mix of clips in there. By visualising what something looks and feels like, it's like it has already been created on the mental plane of creation and next requires your physical presence to make it all happen. Create it in your mind first and let your creativity manifest into the physical world.

5. Unification -
When Skateboarding it is a body and mind experience. My Spirit Guide, Jay, tells me that "skateboarding is a very effective way of grounding, as in staying centered and focused" and "an efficient and rapid way of sending love and healing energy into the Earth and current surroundings". Well you need to be present in terms of being aware of what you are doing, where you are going, how your feet are placed, how fast you are going, your angles, and so on, so being consciously aware in your thinking will assist you in whatever ways you are trying to maneuver your board.

6. Anything is Possible -
When I think of the things that I've rolled away from, hands down or not and when I see what my friends have landed it is really something! To think of how a board with wheels can be manipulated to do so many different things is truly mind-blowing. Your imagination has no limits!

7. Persistence and Determination -
It can take seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years to learn a trick, to take it to the streets or bowl for a clip, and take it further and further. Or there might be times where the spot of choice for that video clip is unskateable or a no go zone. Persistence pays off and everything works out in Divine timing. The way that you feel on the day you conquer your board, the way the spot feels, basically, the way the Heavens of the skate world open up when it is your time to shine. Keep at it, don't ever give up. We've all put in the time and energy into doing what we love and we enjoy it!

8. Goal Setting -
I've checked out a spot for the first time and have to return to that spot another time because it's not the right time to skate it, I've been asked to leave, I tried and got too tired, etcetera. I know what I want and I am going to focus and do what I can to get it done. Getting excited about a spot and the possibilities can make me very passionate about what I am doing and what I think I can do. The feeling of crossing an idea off the list, rolling away, and checking the clip afterwards is a very rewarding sensation. The same goes for being in the presence of friends who have a similar process going on in their minds - just being there to witness things happen and to see the look on their faces is priceless!

9. Love -
Love what you do and do what you love. When there is such a strong passion behind what you doing, the intrinsic motivation is so high and noticeable by those around you. Being passionate about something drives one to seek out the best and to excel based on their own thoughts and feelings about themselves, and not on anyone else's accord. A focus on love for the things you do brings you the best, whilst being involved with something for other reasons only represents something not true to yourself. Have integrity with your skateboarding - do it because you love it. That is the essence behind it. Regardless of what personal accomplishments we have achieved, the love and enjoyment behind it is the driving force that leads to the fulfillment of one's dreams.

10. Being Inspiring -
You influence those around you just as those around you have an influence on you. Through skateboarding, I have come across some of the most amazing people in my life whom I am honoured to call my friends. It is more than skill that inspires me, for it is the love, the drive, courage, and determination that builds character and offers so many unique experiences in life. By coming across people from all different ages and walks of life, I am set to be a role model for some and an inspiration for some. Nonetheless, you will be too in whatever area of life you find yourself in.

11. Seeing the World Differently -
A wall with a slight angle may just look like an ordinary wall to some, or that bump in the ground might just be the workings of tree roots, but skateboarding has taught me to appreciate the environment around me. Skateboarding has given me a new set of eyes to see the urban world with. Whilst everyday city goers and workers see shades of grey, tiles of marble for their shoes to walk on and that seat for them to sit on, skateboarders see spots in the eye of the urban storm. Go with what you've got and make the most of it.

12. Loyalty to Friends -
All those hours spent skating with my friends in Sydney and Melbourne have cemented in friendships that will last a lifetime. Regardless of what paths we end up taking as our lives unfold, I'll always be honoured to be able to call my skateboard friends my skateboard family. We grew up together since our teens, and despite where we live, where we travel, what we do with our lives, they'll always be there to hang out with, skate with and enjoy life with.

13. Skateboarding is Life -
The things that make your heart sing all out to you for a very reason of fulfillment. Finding your passion gives you something to look forward in life. Skateboarding is life. No matter how old, wherever I am in the world, I'll be there to enjoy the ride for at least another 13 years.

Namaste.
Love from Nathan and Friends

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Endless Wave

Skateboarding as Prayer and Meditation

Riding the (Concrete) Wave of Skateboarding, Life and Death

My Spirituality and Skateboarding

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