Musashi Mindstate Tea by Adisa the Bishop

#MusashiMindstateTea 

I want to thank all the HHCF and the BCP Army (Bishop Chronicles Podcast Army) for all

the amazing feedback from my posting of the Cloud Scroll Tea recipe. I am going to share

with you another recipe to help you and your friends and family stay healthy. This is a recipe

I have been using for more than 20 years. However, I strongly caution any and all people on

high blood pressure medicines to seek a doctor's advice before drinking. This tea is relaxing

beyond measure for me. However, it is potent and will impact your blood pressure.

I prefer to share this tea with friends while playing chess at home.

Whenever I have had a long stressful day, or, I anticipate having a rough start to my day I

make this tea the first and last thing I drink. 

Darjeeling tastes good. Like the tea your granny might make for you in the morning or after

dinner. It really is smooth by itself, but with a little honey it is truly divine. I however began

drinking it because of its antibacterial functions. 

Golden Tips Tea website noted: 

1. Provides Essential Antioxidants

Darjeeling tea is abundant in antioxidants such as thearubigins and theaflavins.
Together, these
complex compounds combat free radicals, neutralize harmful chemicals during
digestion, and eliminate toxins. Deficiency in these antioxidants accelerates cellular
damage, raises the risk of chronic illnesses, and speeds up the process of aging.
Drinking Darjeeling tea
bridges the deficit
in antioxidants.

2. Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Darjeeling tea contains polyphenolic compounds that inhibit the growth of cancer in several
ways and stop tumor development. Darjeeling tea also has anti-mutagenic properties
that reducethe frequency of cellular mutations. You can find a more detailed study here

3. Ensures Adequate Hydration

When it comes to combating dehydration, dietician, doctors, and nutritionists recommend
drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. Adding a cup of Darjeeling can contribute
to your total levels of hydration.

4. Relieves Stress

Stress plays a significant role in high blood pressure, skin conditions, heart problems, asthma,
depression, arthritis, and anxiety. In other words, stress leaves your immune system in a vulnerable
state and opens a floodgate of diseases. Darjeeling tea eliminates stress by regulating the
production of a stress hormone in the body called cortisol. That's why drinking Darjeeling tea
makes you happy!

On another note, a single cup of Darjeeling gives your body a tiny dose of caffeine to restore
mental alertness and improve focus. In some cases, you may even experience an energy boost.

5. Boosts Cardiovascular Health

Darjeeling tea increases blood flow and reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Furthermore,
it is rich in quercetin. The compound has been found to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which
is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

6 Facilitates Weight Loss

Studies have shown that drinking Darjeeling tea reduces belly fat and speeds up weight loss.
Blends of tea with higher levels of oxidation are more effective in achieving weight loss than their
alternatives. Semi-oxidized Darjeeling tea is highly effective in facilitating weight loss.

Scientists believe this could be due to the high concentration of catechins, which are naturally
occurring antioxidants that increase fat burning and boost metabolism.

7. Lowers the Likelihood of Parkinson's Disease

Many researchers in India believe that certain bio-active compounds in Darjeeling tea, particularly
L-theanine, could play an active role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as
Parkinson's. Older adults are more susceptible to Parkinson's than their younger counterparts.
It is because of a combination of stress, poor food habits, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Half a teaspoon of Cat’s Claw. Cat’s claw is a fantastic tree bark. I first learned about it from
a Japanese friend of mine. Their father was prescribed it to help him treat cancer. Many years
later I was wrongly diagnosed with high blood pressure and ischemia (a problem where the
circulation in the heart. The hospital was trying to put me on meds, but the pharmacist told me
the meds he was trying to put me on were not needed (I was 25 at the time). 

That woman saved my life. I got a second opinion from another Dr. The second Dr. told me I
was fine just lay off salt a bit. In a panic I went online to look for natural remedies for high blood
pressure and I looked it up and BOOM- it said it helped reduce high blood pressure. 

So, I started using it and since that day, I have never EVER had high blood pressure as an issue.
I’m Black. Which pretty much means I’m born with high blood pressure. It is because of this fact
that I am issuing a warning. A stern one. 

Cat's claw is a wood vine that grows wild in central and South America, particularly in the
Amazon rainforest. ... Cat's claw has been examined for its effects on sleep-wake disturbances,
fatigue, anxiety, and depression in patients with cancer. I used it here with the darjeeling tea
because it is antiviral as well. By combining these we have a drink that is antibacterial from
darjeeling and antiviral from cats claw. Be sure to buy the cats claw that looks like shaved bark
DO NOT get the powder.

Parasites such as Babesia and bacteria such as Bartonella cannot withstand the strength
of cat's claw.I encourage you to research it extensively, as the benefits of it are many.

Directions for Musashi Mindstate Tea by Adisa the Bishop

Take one tea bag (never more than 1 teaspoon) of darjeeling and teaspoon of cat’s claw into a pot of 8 cups of water. Use honey and lemon to taste (it is my understanding that lemon and lime juice help activate the best what is in the cat’s claw). But I don’t like the lemon in it too much. Add honey to your taste if you like, but very little. Remember if you triple sugar up your tea you ruin a lot of its potential to help you heal. 

Be healthy, read books, exercise and stay positive until next time.

WARNING: CAT’S CLAW CAN HAVE REAL EFFECTS ON YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. DO NOT USE THIS IF YOU TAKE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION, OR HEART MEDICATION OF ANY KIND. USE THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. I SUGGEST GOING TO A MEDICAL DOCTOR BEFORE USING IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. FDA HAS NOT APPROVED ANYTHING I HAVE WRITTEN

Cloud Scroll Tea, Created by Adisa the Bishop (For weight loss and immunity help)

Cloud Scroll Tea (for weight loss and cleansing) By:Adisa Banjoko: 

 Cloud Scroll Tea is a tea recipe I developed. I was looking for a legitimate way to use tea to lose the most weight possible, but not sacrifice flavor. The original Cloud Scroll itself, is a book of jiu-jitsu techniques that came as a companion of related movements to the Iron Hook Scroll. Both books are jiu-jitsu an illustration of positions that came to me after a series of powerful experiences practicing transcendental meditation at John O’Connell High School many years ago. None of the positions were a product of my own tactical thinking or creativity. This is one of the reasons I believe meditation is such an important habit of creating.

The moves work gi or nogi and are respected by black belts around the world for their effectiveness and clarity of purpose. Techniques from the Iron Hook Scroll make you lockdown and be heavy to your opponent. The Cloud Scroll techniques are meant to lighten the opponent from being oppressive with their weight when you have them in a position called the closed guard. The Cloud Scroll is meant to lighten your mood in the moment and your physical frame over time. I am telling you this to help you understand the intention it was created with. 

In any case, what a lot of people don’t know is that I have been a diligent student of teas and the healing properties in them for no less than 25 years (I am 50). I have found tea to be one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to help our body heal itself. 

This tea came into fruition about year ago. I had seen a study that wanted to know did green tea or oolong tea (known as Tea Kuan Yin) help you lose faster. The result of the test showed that both helped, but that combining the teas was best. So, I immediately went to work on making a tea using those as the base. I scoured Chinatown in San Francisco (folks know that is my favorite part of SF) and I also found some other healing herbs to help you out. I have a booklet of teas I have made over the years. I don’t even keep them in my Google Drive because I keep them secret. None of them though do I trust in like Cloud Scroll Tea. I have lost a lot of weight using this tea (more than 15 lbs!). 

I do not care what brand of anything you use to make this tea. Get it wherever it is cheapest. I know there are vast differences in tea quality, flavor, processing etc. For me however, it is just important that you begin drinking it as soon as you can. 

Cloud Scroll Tea 

By: Adisa Banjoko aka The Bishop

Teaspoon oolong (tea kuan yin)

Benefits: It contains a variety of minerals such as carotene, calcium, copper, selenium, and vitamins A, B, C, E and K. Additionally, oolong tea contains detoxifying alkaloids such as folic acid and niacinamide

Teaspoon jasmine green tea

Benefits: A study was done and it showed people who drank 1–3 cups (237–710 ml) of green tea per day had a 19% lower risk of heart attacks and a 36% reduced risk of strokes, compared to people that drank less than 1 cup (237 ml) daily

Teaspoon Siberian rose petals

Benefits: Roses are known to be high in vitamin C, one of the most important vitamins in our body. Vitamin C is an essential part of our immune system as it stimulates the production of white blood cells and functions as an antioxidant, effectively lowering oxidative stress. 

Teaspoon red clover blossom

Benefits: Red clover blossom promotes optimal health of the respiratory system, the lymphatic system, the immune system, the blood, and the skin. I personally believe it is one of the most underutilized herbs in the world for healthy living.

1/2 Teaspoon oatmeal

Benefits: Before you send me a throw up emoji, understand this. Oatmeal has been heavily studied in relation to the immune system’s response to disease and infection. Essentially, because of oatmeal’s unique fiber called beta-glucan, it helps neutrophils travel to the site of an infection more quickly and enhances their ability to eliminate the bacteria they find there.

DIRECTIONS: Place in a pot of 8 cups boiling water. Let it simmer low for about 7-10 min. Add lemon/lime  and honey to taste. For better weight loss do NOT use any sweetener.

You can hear me talk about Cloud Scroll Tea on Bishop Chronicles Podcast on Mixcloud at 43 min in. You can also subscribe there or at iTunes, Spotify, Mixcloud or Libsyn. You can also listen at www.bishopchronicles.com 

The FDA has not verified anything I have written here. I AM NOT A DR. DRINK AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Bishop Talks RZA, Camp Tazo and Zen Experience in Shaolin

The other week Adisa the Bishop was invited to teach the philoosphies of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation in Staten Island (aka Shaolin). It was at a special private gathering for young creatives hosted by Camp Tazo and RZA of Wu Tang Clan. Shaolin Monk Shi Yan Ming, Sifu (teacher to RZA in kung-fu and zen philosophy) also taught at the session. Adisa brings you along on a fun, yet deep dive dealing with self exploration, education and the power of personal expression.

Adisa the Bishop talks about this one of a kind experience on his podcast, Bishop Chronicles. To download and listen to the show right now visit www.bishopchronicles.com or subscribe on Spotify, Mixcloud, Libsyn or iTunes.

You can also follow us on IG @bishopchronicles or @realhiphopchess ENJOY!

Also be sure to follow @tazo tea and go buy some today...

                                                      

Stic.man Releases Fit Hop album The Workout 2, out now!!

                                     The Workout 2 by Stic.man  is available now on iTunes and Amazon

"A warrior lives with integrity and honor/ Keeps his loved ones protected like armor/ Without even a word, you can feel the aura/ Respect is evident through his values and morals..."
                                                                                            - Stic.man , White Belt

The new album release The Workout 2 from Stic.man just dropped. It features amazing motivational music for those focused on health and fitness. He calls his lane of rap "Fit-Hop" as it stays focused on themes connected to vegan living, yoga, mental clarity and focus. His last album The Workout was a hit around the  world in the urban fitness community. He is also the author of several books that deal with the art of rap as well as how to eat a vegan diet and still gain muscle. Stic.man is truly a groundbreaking artist and athlete in this respect. He is also one of the biggest and most consistent proponents of martial arts as a tool for personal cultivation and civilization.

The Workout 2 features not just raps, but up beat tracks with various slogans to keep you from quitting on yourself during your jog, or lifting session. On the song White Belt at 1:50 and 3:00 you will hear advice from HHCF Founder Adisa the Bishop on mindset a white belt should approach their training with. Listen here  White Belt and share it with other lovers of positive mindsets and good living.Other great songs include Stay Ready, Run, and Put in the Work. This is a great album for parents to get their teens or kids who play sports or aspire to.

Albums like this prove why Hip-Hop has promoted the healthiest lifestyles on earth above any other music form in history. If you think I'm wrong, go look up any lyrics from heavy metal, rock, jazz, soul, R & B, you choose it and lets compare lyric for lyric. Congrats to Stic.man on dropping such a great motivational piece of work. It is currently the #1 album on Amazon for health and fitness!!

Camp Tazo Presents: Guided Meditations w/ The RZA

Camp Tazo (and event curated and actualized by the good people at TAZO Tea)  recently hosted an artists retreat in Shaolin (aka Staten Island NY) to help them overcome blocks in their creativity. RZA of the mighty Wu Tang Clan put together a series of guided meditations for the campers and they are now here for your personal consumption! I hope you enjoy it! They are truly enlightening ideas and we at HHCF are sure they can help you grow in your personal and professional life.

On Friday Bishop Chronicles has an entire show talking about my visit to Camp Tazo. Subscribe to the show on Spotify, iTunes, Mixcloud or Libsyn to listen or visit www.bishopchronicles.com to listen in.

PEACE!

Bushido Beats: The Art of War in Hip-Hop Production

By: Adisa, The Bishop

There is a powerful trend in Hip-Hop production growing outside of the rap industry. It is happening organically in the free landscape of the internet. I call it Bushido Beats.

Back in the early 1990’s, I was in a rap group called Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187. I used to be obsessed by studying Taoism, Buddhism and Confucian scholarship. I used to go with my friend MC Hi-Low to Shambala Books on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley, CA. We would buy whatever we could find. Once I bought a tape of some Japanese flutes and another of a Japanese harpist (sadly both their names escape me now). Back then Hi-Low and I always said we were gonna put the melodies to a beat. We never did. Luckily a lot of other rap artists emerged with Eastern-themed music. DJ Premier did a lot with Jeru and Afu Ra, and of course the Wu Tang Clan.

Many years ago I interviewed Shaolin Monk Shi Yan Ming (Kung Fu teacher and mentor of RZA)  for the Yoga Journal for a story about rap artists who practice meditation and do yoga. He said “When people listen to Hip-Hop, they dance and are happy. This is also meditation. RZA, when he writes songs, uses philosophy to help people. He is giving people meditation.”

When he said it at the time, I was much more of a yoga practitioner than a meditator. I respected it, because how can you not respect the wisdom a Shaolin Monk speaks. At the same time, I felt it was a little over the top. Now that I do practice many forms of meditation, I am still shocked at how strikingly accurate his words were.

About a year or so back, I got online looking for Wu Tang instrumentals. I had just finished listening to El Michels Affair Album Enter the 37th Chamber. It is a collection of Wu Tang classics replayed. He just released a new one, Return to the 37th Chamber with some fantastic tracks on there as well.

In any case what happened next was fantastic. It suggested I play a song called King by an artist named Ronin. It opens with a mellow meditative stringed instrument. Shortly after a bold bassline and military drums and flutes masterfully emerge. The end result is quite spectacular. From there I learned Ronin had another song called Mesa and that this was indeed a full music genre with the participation of artists from all over the planet. I feel like if Bruce Lee were alive today, he was bump this hard. One can dream.

Keep in mind these are created to be instrumentals. Rappers are not needed for this music to enjoy a lane of its own in cyberspace. A great deal of it is very aggressive. You can imagine Sun Tzu commanding 10,000 troops into battle to some of them. Others are laid back and quite relaxing. A great example of this beat is simply called Asian Rap Beat  posted by Thai Rex. I cannot tell if Thai Rex made the beat or just posted it. It currently has more than 2 million views on youtube. Other artists who deserve an honorable mention in the space include (but not limited to) Raven, Justin Kase, and VintageMan Beats and  Ratz Beats who now has more than 5 million views with Shaolin Style Type . Two of my other favorites is a Grillabeats Kontaru and Trapanese by Sez. It has massive bass and will surely blow your parents speakers if given the chance.

At the HHCF Chess and Jiu-Jitsu classes these beats are often banging as students enter the academy. There is something magical to me about the music helping to set the tone. Now, there are other days when we train in complete silence. Both have their benefits.

It is important to note that these are not new tracks. Some of them have been around between 5 to 7 years or more. The consistency the Bushido Beats emerge with is proof of its staying power. Keep in mind that this is an internet phenomenon that has no place on commercial radio or TV. And it appears to be growing.

I keep seeing people post tracks as “Asian type this” or “Oriental Hip-Hop beat”. I am choosing to name this style of production Bushido Beats. At the end of the day, it is still Hip-Hop. Real Hip-Hop. True Hip-Hop made for the love of the path, not pop music galore.

This is music that I workout to. This is music I write to and sometimes meditate to. I find it inspiring. It motivates me through my yoga poses and drives me to knock out another set when I want to quit.

When trying to understand and accurately measure the impact of the Wu Tang Clan on the planet, this emerging genre is yet another manifestation of their seemingly infinite legacy. At the same time it is important to note the roll that local traditions have in the global expansion of Hip-Hop. It makes total sense that Wu Tang or not, a DJ in Japan or China, India, or Tibet might want to add some local music from their tradition to give an original stamp on what they make.

If you know artists who make beats like these, please tweet me the link with the hashtag #BushidoBeats @hiphopchess on Twitter.

As a bonus I'm gonna add this Mike Relm produced jam called The Iron Hook Scroll. Enjoy!

WATCH: Adisa Banjoko Speak on the Power of Time

Watch the new YouTube channel by Adisa Banjoko on how ensuring you get time to workout helps your in your creative pursuits and business . Be sure to subscribe to see more in the series.