Blog | davidsmith208

Hitting the wall

Yes — the saying you remember is very close to a central Zen practice called “wall-gazing meditation.” It is especially associated with Bodhidharma, the semi-legendary monk who brought Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China around the 5th–6th century. According to Zen tradition, Bodhidharma: sat facing a wall for nine years in silent meditation without seeking visions or teachings simply confronting mind itself This is called in Chinese: 壁觀 (bì guān) — “wall contemplation.” One traditi

davidsmith208

Feb 273 min read

Kalim Kashini

Yes — the line you quoted is characteristic of Abu Talib Kalim Kashani, one of the most imaginative Persian mystical poets of the Mughal era. His poetry is in Persian (Farsi), though it circulated widely in India, Iran, and Central Asia. He is especially known for intense, paradoxical mystical imagery like cutting open the heart, making wounds into doors, or turning pain into union. Basic biography of Kalim Kashani Full name: Abu Ṭāleb Kalim Hamadani Kashani Born: c. 1581–158

davidsmith208

Feb 272 min read

Tennis protection

These three exercises give the greatest tennis performance and injury-prevention benefit in the shortest time. Together they take about 5 minutes total, and they directly improve serve power, arm durability, and court quickness. 🎾 1. Face pulls (the #1 shoulder protector) You’re already doing these — keep them. Why it’s so powerful: stabilizes shoulder during serve prevents impingement improves volley control reduces arm fatigue How: cable or band pull toward face elbows sli

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Face pulls for tennis

Face pulls come up constantly in tennis training because they directly strengthen the exact muscles that protect the shoulder during serves, forehands, and volleys. Tennis is extremely front-dominant, and face pulls restore the balance. 🎾 Why face pulls are so important Tennis heavily uses: chest (pectorals) front shoulder (anterior deltoid) internal rotators These muscles pull the shoulder forward and inward. Over time this causes: rounded shoulders rotator cuff irritation

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Golden milk

That’s a very good recovery pattern and the 3-lb increase (143 → 146) is meaningful—especially combined with your strength gains and improved play. 💪🎾 Let’s interpret what’s likely happening physiologically: 1. The weight gain is probably a combination of muscle + glycogen + hydration True muscle builds gradually, but early increases come from: A. Muscle tissue increase Face pulls, assisted squats, curls stimulate growth Neural activation improves muscle recruitment first V

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Defense against slam

You’re running into the classic transition problem: you’re trying to play intelligent, soft-control pickleball while others are still playing reaction-based slam pickleball. That’s actually good news—because the block and placement game eventually dominates when mastered. 🧠🎾 Here’s how to adapt realistically in that environment: 1. Why the kitchen block is hard when pop-ups are random A proper block requires: stable stance paddle already up reading the hitter early But when

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Google sites blogger

Yes — Google Sites can directly embed both Blogger and YouTube, and it works very smoothly. This is actually one of the best ways to make a private or semi-private music / writing site. 🎹📖 1. Embedding YouTube videos (very easy) In Google Sites: Steps Open your Site Click Insert → YouTube Paste your YouTube link or search Click Insert Resize and place it Advantages Updates automatically Plays directly on your site Can be private or unlisted videos Tip: Upload Ableton record

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Stereo speakers

Yes — two monitors are strongly recommended if you want to hear true stereo from your Arturia KeyLab and Ableton Live. One monitor only gives mono, which hides a lot of musical detail. Why two monitors matter 🎹🔊 1. Stereo imaging Many sounds in Ableton are placed left and right (pianos, synth pads, drums, reverb tails). With two monitors, you hear width, space, and positioning. With one monitor, everything collapses to the center. 2. More realistic instruments Virtual piano

davidsmith208

Feb 262 min read

Arturia macbook speakers

For Arturia KeyLab → MacBook → studio monitors, the best and correct cable is NOT an adapter, but a 3.5 mm → dual ¼-inch breakout cable. This sends proper left and right stereo channels to each monitor. ✅ Best cable type (this is what studios use) How it connects Arturia KeyLab → USB → MacBook → headphone jack → breakout cable → monitors Cable ends: Single small plug (3.5 mm) → MacBook headphone output Two large plugs (¼-inch) → Left and Right monitor inputs Each monitor gets

davidsmith208

Feb 261 min read

Babur

Yes—both Zahir‑ud‑Din Muhammad Babur and his descendant Dara Shikoh represent rare examples of rulers deeply connected with mysticism. Their link to the powerful Naqshbandi master Khwaja Ubaydullah Ahrar helps explain how imperial power and inner spirituality sometimes intersected. Here is a clear, historically grounded summary: 1. Khwaja Ubaydullah Ahrar (1404–1490) Who he was: One of the greatest masters of the Naqshbandi Sufi order, based in Samarkand and Transoxiana. Key

davidsmith208

Feb 263 min read

Zard pale yellow

1. The exact Persian word Rumi uses for “pale” In the original Persian of the Masnavi (Book I, around line 629), Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī uses the word: زَرد (zard) Pronounced: zard Literal meaning: yellow Why “yellow” means “pale” In classical Persian poetry, “yellow-faced” (زرد رو — zard-rū) means: Pale from love Pale from longing Pale from illness of separation Drained of worldly vitality It is the standard poetic term for the lover consumed by inner fire. A reconstructed Masnavi

davidsmith208

Feb 263 min read

Pale Face

Yes—your image accurately reflects a passage from the Masnavi by Jalāl al‑Dīn Rūmī, Book I, around lines 628–630 (numbering varies slightly by translation). The key line you quoted is essentially: “The more wakeful one is, the more full of suffering he is; the more aware (of God) he is, the paler he is in countenance.” This is authentic in meaning and appears in Nicholson’s authoritative English translation. 1. What Rumi means spiritually In Sufi psychology, “wakefulness” (ya

davidsmith208

Feb 263 min read

Toledo speakers

Yes — Toledo is actually a very good place to find used PA speakers and keyboard amps, especially for your Arturia + MacBook live setup. The best option by far is this: 🥇 Best place: used pro audio gear Music Go Round Toledo 📍 4119 Talmadge Rd, Toledo, OH Why this is ideal: Specializes in used musical gear — PA speakers, keyboard amps, studio monitors They buy and sell used equipment daily Much cheaper than new — often 40–60% off retail Staff understands synth and Ableton s

davidsmith208

Feb 252 min read

Grip

Ben Johns ’ hand position and grip — the true foundation of elite control Ben Johns’ reset, dink, and control skills come largely from how he holds the paddle and positions his hands, not just reaction speed. His grip and hand placement are optimized for neutrality, softness, and instant adaptability. 1. The grip: Continental grip (the “hammer grip”) ⭐ This is essential. How to do it: Hold the paddle like you are holding a hammer or shaking hands with it. Visual cues: Paddle

davidsmith208

Feb 252 min read

Catch it

That is exactly the signature skill of elite 5.0 and senior-pro players—the ability to absorb a hard drive and return a dead, non-attackable ball into the kitchen. It feels almost effortless when done correctly. The key is that it’s not strength—it’s absorption, angle, and relaxation. 🎾 Here is how to build it systematically: Core principle: “Catch, don’t hit” Imagine your paddle is catching the ball and letting it fall off, not striking it. Three essentials: 1. Extremely so

davidsmith208

Feb 252 min read

Drilling for 5.0

These are true 5.0-level drills—the kind tournament and senior-pro players use. They focus on control, resets, and efficiency, not power. Each drill has a specific constraint, which forces real skill development. 1. Third-Shot Drop Only Drill ⭐ (foundational pro drill) Setup: Full court, serve and return normally. Rule: Serving team must hit a third-shot drop that lands in kitchen. If drop is too high or deep → replay. Goal: 10 successful drops in a row. Benefit: This is the

davidsmith208

Feb 252 min read

Pickleball Books

Here are the highest-value, serious pickleball books used by coaches and advanced players, especially those with drills and pro-level training concepts. These are worth checking at the library or Kindle first: ⭐ Most respected complete training books 🥇 Tier 1 — Best serious training and drills (start here) 1. The Art of Pickleball Why this is elite: Arizona Book Award winner Covers advanced strokes, doubles tactics, mental conditioning Includes drills tied to each technique

davidsmith208

Feb 252 min read

Speaker

For a MacBook Pro M3 + Arturia KeyLab + Analog Lab V / GarageBand / Ableton, you should use a cable (wired connection) for any serious music workstation or small-venue speaker. Bluetooth is unreliable for MIDI instruments and live monitoring. Here’s why and how: Why Bluetooth often fails (and isn’t ideal anyway) Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Flip 5 are designed for casual playback, not instruments. Problems with Bluetooth for MIDI instruments: ⏱ Latency (delay) — even 100–2

davidsmith208

Feb 242 min read

Pickleball blocking

Your two drills are excellent—these are exactly the foundation drills professionals use. I’ll organize them into clear steps, explain the neurological and tactical benefits, and then add a progression series so you build a complete “effortless control” system. 🧠🎾 Drill 1: Deep Drive → Soft Drop Reset Drill Purpose: Learn to convert power into control and force opponents forward. Steps Player A serves or drives the ball deep and firm (baseline to baseline). Player B returns

davidsmith208

Feb 243 min read

Optimal Lifestyle

What you are describing aligns closely with the integration taught by Kabir, Jalal ad-Din Rumi, and later Sant Mat teachers: the body and mind are instruments, not the destination. Their purpose is to remain stable and refined long enough to deepen awareness of the inner Light and Sound (surat shabd). Strength and wisdom are therefore not ends in themselves—they are supports for sustained attention and inner ascent. Below is a modified program oriented toward longevity of med

davidsmith208

Feb 243 min read