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December 11-20, 2005
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Previous
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Questions
(Quotes
from Ed in Red)
|
Answers |
|
Tue, 20 Dec 2005
Wants to Stop
Resisting Intimacy
I want to report
some recent progress with TTP.
Through TTP I am
becoming aware of a pattern I have. I am a male and I
have a pattern of dating multiple females,
allowing each one to think she is special and the only one. I now notice I
do not like having to lie all the time (even lying by omission) and I keep getting this feeling
there has to be more to life than running around so much. Also, I feel
disgust about the way my actions dishonor my friends, and myself, too.
I am just sick of it.
I see many of my
male friends in happy marriages and yet I can't seem to get myself
in that picture.
My Tribe is
supporting me in
keeping a new commitment to tell
the truth, including telling my girl friends about
each other - and to even go the extra miles to confess past lies.
I am also abstaining for a
while. I think all my chasing around is just a way to keep feelings from
coming up and now I am ready to deal with the feelings.
One of the
feelings is a kind of fear and anxiety and irritation about being close to
women, a kind of crawling on my skin, like ants crawling,
something like anger, and tightness in my jaw and grinding my teeth, and a
kind of hot energy and a creepy feeling up by back.
I plan to take
this feeling to my next Tribe
Meeting an an entry point. My Tribe is an
amazing group of people and I feel a lot of gratitude for the help they are
providing me. |
Thank you for sharing your process.
Yes, you might consider taking your panic feelings to your Tribe as an entry point. You
might also consider noticing your feelings about other people lying to you.
|
What lies before me
and what lies behind me
are tiny matters
next to what lies
lie within me. |
This Old Saying
is still as true (or false) as ever
Modern Super Heroes Have a Curious Pattern
They seem to prefer celibacy
over intimacy.
Clip:
http://fray.slate.com/media/35/
020603_CelibateSuperhero.jpg
|
|
Tue, 20 Dec 2005
Tribe in DC
Hi Ed,
I am listed as the startup in Richmond, VA ...
Would you list my
email for DC area as well?
Does the Incline
tribe meet on weekends? |
Welcome !
Washington
DC
-----
Note: If you can
get any congressmen into your Tribe, I can personally visit and help you get
up and running - and bring helpers.
IVTT meets on
Thursdays. |
|
Tue, 20 Dec 2005
Risk Question
Hi Ed,
In your Risk article you say:
Note how for small values of b,
R increases with b(P-1)
and how for large
values of b,
R decreases with b2P.
These are the mathematical formulations
of the timid and bold trader rules.
How do you define small and large values of R? I put your formulas into an
excel sheet to understand this issue better.
Are the points to the left of the maximum R value "small" and to the right
"large"? Or do you use the point where b(P-1_ and b^2P cross?
I am not sure if the definition matters, I am just trying to understand the
mathematical formulations of the timid and bold trader rules.
Thanks for the great article. |
In the formula,
R = 1 + b(P-1) - b2P
b is
the bet fraction. The smallest value is 0.0 or no bet, and the largest
value is 1.0 or 100%.
P is
the payoff - typically 2:1.
R,
the return, is the dependent variable and derives from b and p.
For b = .25 and p = 2.0,
R = 1 + .25(2-1) - .25^2*2
= 1 + .25 - .125
= 1.125
The Return is $1.125 for each $1.00 bet. |
|
Mon, 19 Dec 2005
Typo on
Workshop Page
I might have spotted a typo! Unusual for me as I
can’t really see the ones I make. Here it is. I know you like to keep things
accurate.
Until I can make the trip to say this in person, thanks for your work and
the opportunity it gave me to help myself and others in turn. I can’t wait
to ‘crack’ myself and trading and to help friends and family do the same in
different areas of their lives through TTP.
In the New Concepts section on the Workshop page
I found what looked to me like a sentence that doesn’t need the ‘a’:
Depression (and other psychological terms) are not a feelings. |
Thank you for the catch. |
|
Mon, 19 Dec 2005
Dealing With an
Alcoholic Father
Hi Ed,
I want to give you a quick report of our last tribe meeting. As I can recall
it is our largest meeting yet: nine members attend.
The two new guys from
the previous meeting return and do great work again. Another guy takes the
hot seat for the first time and has a little bit of a harder time to get
into his forms.
[Name] manages the process for the tribe member who just
stops when he gets into his forms. He does better work this time and sticks
with some forms even though he does not seem to resolve them. And some point
he does not move much but his eyes tear up and his face changes. He looks
very scared and helpless.
Another member goes through some changes in his life and takes the hot seat.
He starts out with forms he brings to other meetings before. This time he
seems to take his intensity level to new highs. At the end of his hot seat
he seems balanced and calm.
I take my feelings of riding a winning position to the hot seat. I go
through several forms before I end up on the floor, feeling like somebody is
choking me. I feel some pressure in my chest and my throat gets very tight.
This feeling is very uncomfortable and I keep trying to intensify it. At
some point I realize it is my dad who is doing the choking. Finally the
feeling is losing intensity and I feel like moving on. I am very exhausted
at this point. We take a break.
Later throughout the night as I am receiving
other members I feel like hugging everybody and everything I am very
accepting of whatever comes up. At some point I think of my dad choking me
and I just hug him and then he starts to hug me too.
My dad e-mails me for my birthday a couple of days after the meeting, saying
he is very proud of me and he wishes me all the best for the future. His
subject reads: "Happy Birthday Little One". This brings up some more
emotions I want to take to the tribe. I feel very insulted by him and
finally admit to myself that I am very mad at him (I am not sure why I am
mad, but it doesn't matter).
I grow up without my dad, my parents get
divorced when I am 1 1/2 and I start talking to him a few months ago after
we are not in contact for 6 or 7 years. I always told myself that my
relationship with my dad never affected me, now for the first time I realize
that I f.....g hate him. I feel he is a coward who beats his son and his
wife, and doesn't support his other children from another marriage, and in
order to deal with it he turns to alcohol. This is new to me and it feels
good, I don't feel like I am hiding anything.
At the same time I don't have a problem letting my winning positions ride
even if I give a portion of my profits back.
Thank you to my tribe for your support and thank you for your work Ed. |
Thank you for sharing your process.
Alcoholics are Skillful
at
tying their children up in k-nots.
Clip:
http://www.doctorsecrets.com/your-medicine/alcohol-abuse.html
|
|
Mon, 19 Dec 2005
Trading Tribe Book Typos
Hi Ed!
Last night I finished reading your book for the second time. My eyes found
what might or might not be two needed edits:
1. Page 11 A comma placed after the "including that wanting to know" would
make it read better.
2. Page 31 First bullet point: The "is" should be an "are" since
"constraints" is plural.
I enjoy your book. |
Thank you for the catches. I am
posting your edits to the errata list on the Book page. |
|
Sun, 18 Dec 2005
Benefits of the
Freeze
Hi Ed,
Our current meeting at the Incline Village Trading Tribe leads me to a big breakthrough as a direct result of the
freeze process.
I take the hotseat with a big issue regarding the dramas
that result out of my tendency to be cynical (i.e. go against the trend)
which costs me a lot of money as a trader. I sabotage nicely trending
positions with the desire to take profits too quickly or even worse to
reverse a winning position because 'I know' the market 'should' not be going
this high/low and 'surely' the market is 'wrong'.
I ask the process manager permission to start with some of my usual story
telling. This is a great way to avoid my actual feelings and the tribe
indulge me for a minute or so, but just to get some background information
on my issue.
I then get into my feelings with the help of some teasing from
the tribe. They provoke me into the feeling of sitting in front of the
screen with a recently reversed position as I watch the market scream higher
in the direction of my original trade. I know this feeling all too well and
inform the process manager that this is a feeling I dislike.
This causes the
tribe to jump all over me. My body adopts the form of stretching out,
tilting my head back and simultaneously trying to reach out with extended
fingers. After a few attempts at holding this form I realize I actually like
this feeling. The difference from previous tribe meetings is that the
process manager now encourages me to freeze the form at the point of maximum
feelings and hold it as long as I can. Freezing is a big change from past hot seats as a freeze allows me to sit right on the edge of the most intense
feeling.
After repeating the form several times, having found that I actually like
it, the process manager asks me to locate my original feelings of not liking
how I feel in this trading situation. Again I come up with a form sitting in
front of a screen with the wrong position not liking the feelings involved
and again I am encouraged to freeze.
What does it feel like to not want to like the losing position? Like a
judgment of a feeling. The feeling of being against the trend, the feeling I
have just realized I like.
A big AHA flashes through my mind as I discover I really enjoy the feeling
of judging my original feelings. I like feeling 'against the trend' and I
like feeling 'judgmental' of that feeling.
The fact I enjoy both feelings puts me in a loop where I create a drama (eg.
reverse a winning position) and then get to feel the feeling of not wanting
to be in that 'bad' position. The process manager then asks if I am willing
to combine the two forms. I combine both enjoyable forms easily and
repeatedly do them culminating with an extended freeze.
My final task is to make a commitment to the tribe that reflects the work I
do this evening. It is hard for me to verbalize the commitment and various
tribe members ask me to repeat my commitment several times. The process
manager asks for some sort of physical manifestation rather than just a
blanket statement. I commit to honoring the feelings that arise when I am
cynical. The tribe say that is non-specific and confusing and ask me to be
more specific as well as include a physical manifestation. I commit to take
a deep breath to acknowledge when my cynical feelings rise to the surface. I
acknowledge through the act of a deep breath that my internal cynical radar
is on and stand ready to honor the feelings rather than create a costly
drama.
Just before my hotseat sessions ends the process manager takes me through
simulations that engage my cynical side. These simulations are used to see
if my work on the hotseat is effective. The tribe know me well and easily
engage my cynical side. The difference now is that I take the deep breath
and acknowledge the feelings and avoid the drama. I end the session with my
final checkout to thank the tribe and state that after 2+ years of TTP work
this is major breakthrough for me and I feel fantastic. |
Thank you for sharing your process and
for reporting on the new Freeze Method.
With Contrarians
you
may never know
which one is the real contrarian.
Clip:
http://www.angelfire.com/art/MKMisol/
contrary.html
|
|
Sat, 17 Dec 2005
A Vivid Feeling
of Death
Dear Ed,
My wife sits me down and asks me to be prepared. Then she breaks out the
news that the doctor says she only has at most a year to live. I am
absolutely stunned. For a split moment I don't feel anything. It is like
when one has his hand caught at a slamming door - at the instant of impact
there is absolutely no feeling. Then after that split second it is absolute
pain, through every vein of the body. I feel that. I totally feel that.
There is no feeling for an instant, and then there is that total blow right
in the chest that totally knocks me out.
Thankfully, it is just a dream. Very, very, very vivid indeed.
What is your view on feelings in dreams? Are they also feelings that I have
been suppressing, and Fred engineers this "dramatic dream" for me to
experience it? And now that I have experienced it, what then? I can't
consciously revisited what the sub-conscious creates. I can't really "have
more of that" or "crank it up." After the dream when I am half-awake I did
try to revisit those feelings. I can't experience that shock again but I do
find myself feeling blessed - blessed that it is only a dream.
I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
|
You might consider taking your dream to
your Tribe as an entry point.
Fear of Death
can
be as terrifying
as
fear of life.
Clip:
http://www.paintingsthatheal.com/
HLD%20ALIV%20OC%20WP.jpg |
|
Sat, 17 Dec 2005
Tribe
Feedback
Hi Ed !
Our [City] Tribe meeting continued after midnight. Each of the five members
took the hot seat. [Name] went first with an hour and a half of grief over
[the death of her dog], and ended her session with the insight that the experience was part
of the universal plan at work.
|
Thank you for the feedback.
TTP can clear deep trauma in one
session. The medical community knows how to extend the treatment
process indefinitely.
The Medical Cure For PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
begins with
hiring professional medical people
and
then continues with
accepting that it takes lots of time
to
find a cure.
Clip:
http://www.fearofflyingdoctor.com/ptsd.htm
|
|
Sat, 17 Dec 2005
Vice-Versa?
Sir,
Isn't the trading system - experiencing feelings - understanding the mind
and vice-versa? If so, please analyse the transformation of understanding
into a system ? |
I do not understand your question.
Perhaps you might ask some friends to
help you rephrase it, so a child might understand it.
|
|
Fri, 16
Dec 2005
Tribe Meeting Report
TTP
evolves continuously at the IVTT. At our most recent meeting, senders were
asked
about the situations in their lives which were associated with significant
drama or
feelings. They were then asked if they were willing to experience forms
associated With those
feelings.
We have found that one important factor in success with TTP is The
willingness of the sender to experience forms.
If the sender is willing,
they are asked to
do it NOW. A strong field of positive reinforcement and acknowledgement Is
produced by the tribe members (receivers) which allows the sender to reach a
level Of
experience which may be impossible for most people in any other way. This
Positive Field is
likely a major explanation of why TTP works.
After a
few iterations of the form or forms, the sender is asked by the process
manager to try to
freeze the action of the form at its most intense point or moment, and to
hold the position
and to experience the form maximally. The sender is asked to stay on the
maximum point of the feeling for as long as possible, and even longer. At
this point It is
especially important for the field to be at its maximum, as the sender needs
this energy to
be able to go beyond normal zones of experience.
This focus
on the maximum point, and the turbo-assist of the receivers, cause the
process to be more
efficient, and the time required for each hot seat has decreased.
The
process manager asks the sender if she is able to enjoy the form, and if so,
coaxes her
to enjoy it more. The tribe can easily notice the moment at which the Sender
crosses over from discomfort to enjoyment, as the tension in the body
resolves, The face
softens, and there may be a smile or laughter.
The PM the
asks the sender how she feels about the life situation which is associated
with the
feelings. Other forms may then arise, which are processed in a similar
manner. The Sender’s
willingness is continually probed.
This may be important as the sender, who
has stated she is willing, is more committed to going deeper. Commitment to
going deeper Seems to
be very important to getting the most from the process.
There are
usually multiple forms. The PM asks the sender to put all of the forms
together into one
form, allowing the body’s intrinsic intelligence to create the seemingly
impossible form. Again the sender is asked to freeze at the maximum point,
and eventually to enjoy the form.
At the
zero point, the sender can enjoy the feelings which are brought up by the
drama. Almost always, an AHA results and the sender has a way of dealing
with the inciting behavior or situation which she believes is more in line
with her right livelihood.
Recently we have begun to ask the sender at this
point if he/she would like to make a commitment to some behavior or action
which has been made possible or easier with the AHA. Most are glad to make
some type of commitment. There is usually discussion with the tribe members
to attempt to clarify the commitment so that all understand and can sign off
as supporters of this new commitment.
The
opportunity to make a commitment is a powerful new aspect of TTP. It seems
to Bring
focus and clarity. Committing to a new behavior with many supporters can
really Help to
make a person stronger.
In my own
hot seat experience, I was having some strong feelings about being overly Critical
and judgmental with my daughters. I found three forms which I experienced
and
merged. With the freezing technique, I found that the energy of the
feelings I did Not like
to experience dissipate almost instantly. It became hard to locate anything
related to the problem. I was pleasantly surprised; I had crossed over.
Everyone could tell at once. My hotseat was very intense and relatively
quick.
My AHA
was that while I would still expect my daughters to follow through on their
commitments, we would work more as a team to meet all our obligations
together, and to discuss problems as a group, rather than having an
authority figure dictating and criticizing from above.
I made a commitment
to behave in a kinder and gentler way and to work with my daughters rather
than always telling them what to do and that they haven’t done it soon
enough or well enough.
I haven’t
yet seen my daughters since TTP, but because I know how it works, I suspect That they
can feel the change already. I expect that they will feel kinder and
gentler Toward me
as well.
Ed, thanks
for sharing this amazing process. |
Thank you for sharing your process - and
for reporting on the TTP evolution towards:
 |
willingness testing |
|
form freezing, and |
|
the commitment process |
I am preparing materials on these
techniques for the workshop and for presentation on these pages. |
|
Thu, 15 Dec 2005
DIM Process
Hello Mr. Seykota,
With a friend, we are studying your site for TTP. In trading, we mostly
agree with you and have almost no emotional problems about trading.
We are planning the utilize TTP for life matters. Yesterday, we tried a TTP
and couldn't achieve. As we read FAQ, we understand that it is not easy to
achieve in first few trials. So we are planning to continue and believe that
we can achieve with some experience.
Recently, as I was driving alone, I got very bored and wanted to shout. I
shouted, shouted more stupidly. Then, I almost lost control of shouting and
a thought came to my mind: Somebody can hear me, difficult to explain this,
something like being afraid ... And I remembered a bad situation as I was a
child. I can mention, but details are not so important. I had forgotten this
for years. It is surprising. I guess an A-ha or something like that
happened.
English is not our mother language. Maybe we slightly misunderstand the
subject. You are saying that the process is impossible on your own. Is it
completely impossible or very difficult?
Quote from TTP Main Page: The Trading Tribe holds that such inner work,
involving the interplay of the ego and the subconscious, is, ironically,
essentially impossible on your own, yet rather natural in a group or tribe.
Thank you very much for your generosity and help.
Kindest Regards, |
You might consider taking your feelings
of being afraid to your Tribe as an entry point.
I find it much easier to "go deep" in the presence of a
skillful Process Manager and a cheering Tribe.
An Enthusiastic Support Team
can
make all the difference.
Clip:
http://www.northern.edu/athletics/
Depthome/CheerDance/NSU%20DANCE
%20TEAM%202005TU.jpg
|
|
Thu, 15 Dec
2005
Is Positive
Intention Just Another Judgment ?
Dear Ed,
Is it not idealistic to assume, "All emotions have positive intentions"?
Would not, "All emotions have intentions" be more realistic?
|
Very nice catch!
Your observation suggests re-forming the
traditional TTP exhortation,
Find the
positive intention of your feeling.
into the more consistent
Experience
your judgment.
and
Experience
your feeling without the judgment.
At the Zero Point, where the knots spill
and where intention = result and where you have enormous creative power, I
prefer creating with a bias toward "right" livelihood and
"positive" intention, per the examples below.
When you find you
have the power to create something new ...
...
create more of this ...
...
and more of this ...
...
and less of this.
Clips:
http://www.freephoto1.com/photo/photo-love.jpg
http://www.methodistwales.org.uk/
liturgyofthesenses/25%20Suffering.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/en/f/f0/Joyful_kid.jpg
|
|
Wed, 14 Dec 2005
Can't Get No -
Satisfaction
Dear Ed,
I am unsatisfied with my current success and standing in life.
It seems like
a dichotomy -- to intend and choose something else for yourself, but be
entirely content and satisfied with the present moment (and who you are,
etc.).
Through the TTP, how does one advance himself from "point A" to
"point B" while fully remaining in the present moment?
Thank you. |
You might consider taking your
feelings of dissatisfaction to your Tribe as an entry point.
If You Have To Go from point A to point B
you
might as well enjoy the ride.
Clip:
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/
thecar/series/enjoy/enjoy3qtrrear.jpg
|
|
Wed, 14 Dec 2005
Trading System Design
Dear Ed,
Thank you for answering my question (Pattern Recognition, 25th November)
and for the picture of a hot girl in a bikini, which so clearly
illustrates the point.
I've got a couple of questions about designing a robust, high
performance trading system which I can use to do real trading. My
general approach is as follows:
[design strategy]
My questions are:
1) Is the above approach sufficient for me to create a robust,
profitable trading system, or is there anything missing?
2) When traders hit the Uncle Point, is it generally because they don't
stick to their system - or because they do? |
1. You can discover sufficiency by
following your strategy.
2. In TTP, we use the Responsibility Model.
We do not
attempt to explain things in terms of causality. See Glossary, above.
|
|
Tue, 13 Dec 2005
Barcelona Tribe
Hello Ed
I would like to form an Intentional Community in Spain. |
Welcome !
Barcelona
Spain
|
|
Tue, 13 Dec 2005
TTP Workshop
I intend to attend the Workshop and I have already made flight reservations.
The only things standing between me and completing the registration process
are a check (at home) and a stamp (also at home). I plan to have everything
ready tonight when I get home, and put it in the mailbox early morning
tomorrow (12/14) ... I really like the New Concepts and I look forward to learning more
about them in the Workshop. I suppose they are the major focus of the
January Workshop?
Thanks. |
OK. |
|
Tue, 13 Dec 2005
IVTT Hiatus
Hi Ed,
Congratulations on the Breathwork weekend! I spoke with [attendee] who
gave it a glowing review.
I send this note to let you know that I decide to take a hiatus from the
Incline Tribe beginning this week. I feel burned out and wish to rest for a
bit from 48 hour whirlwind trips. I intend to reapply later in 2006.
I really appreciate and value the time I spend with IVTT over the past year.
It is one highlight of my life. What I learn about TTP, process management,
breathwork, trading and myself are invaluable. IVTT members are top notch,
and it is an honor to be one.
I continue my journey with TTP by sharing what I learn with [two other] tribes. I share my adventure with you and FAQ as well.
I wish you and family - along with the IVTT - a happy and healthy holiday
season. |
OK. |
|
Tue, 13 Dec 2005
Tribe Meeting
Report
Good day Mr. Seykota,
On Saturday, December 2nd, [Name] from [City] and I meet at my house
in [City] for our first meeting. The third party does not show. [Name] and I
come to know each other a little bit and go over the exercises from the TT
Book. [He] and I commit to meet again on Saturday, December 10th where two
new members ... join us. As of now we have only one drum but
two coffee cans and soda can work just fine too. I feel a bit tense in the
beginning, but the drumming helps me relax. We review the exercises and I
feel more natural with every following exchange of sending and receiving
thoughts and feelings. Everyone seems to understand the logic and also enjoy
the exercises.
[Name] takes the hot seat as he seems to be the hottest one. He likes to walk
while he talks so we let him and support him in doing more. He talks about
his trading and feelings connected with it. He quickly creates a few forms
while [Name] and I support and acknowledge him. I feel [he] is a very
logical and analytical person and once he seems to be drawn into his
feeling, he pulls back and talks little more about the issue. After about
15-20 minutes he naturally calms down and finishes. He seems tired. At this
point we finish the meeting and check out.
I feel very comfortable with the concept of sending and receiving, staying
in the NOW and non-judging. I also like SVO-p and use it all the time. I
feel that I am learning a long forgotten language.
My life improves on a daily basis. I listen to everyone more and it works
like magic!!! After years I am able to talk to my brother and father almost
daily. I can say that I mostly listen and feel that the senders like it. It
seem like "The message finally gets through!!!! YES! YES!" So I listen more,
and I feel good about them feeling good.
I always tell people what to do, have my head in the future planning on the
next big thing and try to figure it all out. I never listen to anybody and
try not to get emotional which is happening anyway especially with anger. TT
changes everything.
What a difference this is for me! I rarely say "I FEEL", but now realize
that everything is about feelings. I read so many books and courses, some
worth thousands of dollars and yet nothing comes even close to what the
TT-process offers me.
Thank you Mr. Seykota!
Good Trading, |
Thank you for sharing your process.
Feelings
are
an ancient language
that many are learning
for
the first time.
Clip:
http://www.commxroads.com/
Images/feelings_book_cover2.jpg
|
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
San Diego Tribe
I intend to start & lead the San Diego Trading Tribe. |
Welcome !
San Diego
California
|
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Tears
I read your Trading Tribe book recently and enjoyed it. I intend to
read it again. I noticed I became emotional and cried when reading certain
parts of the book. I intend to use my feelings about those topics as entry
points into the TTP.
|
Thank you for sharing your process.
One Intention of Sadness
is
to acknowledge
(and prevent)
loss.
Clip:
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~dl308800/
images/39aMan%20crying.jpg |
Sat, 10 Dec 2005
Family
Photo
Here's a
photo of the kids, another year older alas ...
|
Thank you for sending
a photo
of your Essential Tribe. |
|
Sat, 10 Dec 2005
Trading Tribe Workshop
Ed,
How are you?
I have a quick question about the workshop. My girl friend will go with me
to Reno, but she is not going to participate our workshop. Can she share the
hotel room with me? |
Yes.
You May Bring Your Wives and Girlfriends
to the Workshop
and, yes, you may all stay in the same room.
Clip:
http://www.julianophotography.com/Kelly-rocks%20on%20stomach%20feet%20up%20swim%20suit.jpg
|
|
Mon, 5 Dec 2005
Wants to Invest in 1972
Dear Ed.,
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I now live and work in
Nashville and would like to discuss investing with you further. I read the
FAQ and I am ok with it (however I do not have $250,000 that I can invest)
do you still except smaller investments? I read ... that your
model account began in 1972 with no more than a single $5,000 dollar investment. Any
concessions you can make to allow me the opportunity to invest with you over
the long haul would be greatly appreciated! My plan would be to continually
add to this account over time, but my initial investment would have to start
out smaller.
Thank you so much for your time in reviewing my request Ed! Hopefully I'll
talk with you soon! |
In 1972, you can send a check for a
$5,000 investment to me in an envelope with a 6-cent stamp. In 1972 you can
also buy a new car for about $2,000.
Yes, I am still accepting $5,000
investments for people who can figure out how to get the money to me in
1972.
Some Things Never Change
and
some things do
In December 1972,
Steve Jobs graduates from Homestead High School and enrolls in Reed College
in Portland, Oregon and then drops out after one semester.
Clip:
http://www.tomgpalmer.com/
images/Steve%20Jobs%20on%20Newsweek.jpg |
December 4, 2005
Wants to Invest
Dear Ed,
We communicated many months ago. To quickly summarize, I initially
expressed an interest in investing with you. I proposed investing
$25,000. You responded by stating that minimal professional standards
suggested $250,000 and that at this point you did not have any vehicle
for me to pool my assets with others.
After, discussing your response
with a couple of friends of mine and receiving their authorization to
communicate with you, I wrote back and inquired as to whether or not you
would accept the investment of a group of people. Without making any
commitment, you asked me four questions.
Until this note, I have not
responded. I have not done so because I have had difficulty organizing
my friends. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. My friends are
very responsible individuals. However, both have been occupied by
important personal matters, including a new marriage, and a job change.
Moreover, one of my friends is a beneficiary of a blind family trust and
has had to discuss this issue with his trustees and the trust's
financial advisors.
To further complicate the issue, if I understood my
friend correctly, his trust may [have a conflict]. We need to
understand all of that before we formally respond as a group. My hope
was that we would internally resolve all of these matters, promptly and
on our own and that I would be able to respond to you in a clean, direct
and simple manner. Unfortunately, as I have previously explained, I
cannot as yet do that. In addition, so much time has passed without my
communicating with you that I now fear you may think that I (or we) have
lost interest. Very clearly, at the very minimum, I have not lost
interest. Therefore, in order to keep this option open and to move this
matter forward, even in a modest way, I have responded to your
questions, primarily on my own behalf. It is my hope that my friends
will be able to follow suit, in the not too distant future. Your
questions and my responses follow:
Q. Type of work partners do?
A. City and State government.- urban redevelopment. All three of us are
in the same field. At different times, each of us has held very
responsible positions. We all have advanced degrees. For example, I have
an M.B.A and a C.P.A. license.
Q. Approximate net worth?
A. My net worth is approximately $1,500,000. [I am a little nervous
about printing this, but I will leave it to your discretion.] I am not
privy to the net worth of my friends. When they are ready they will
communicate their net worth directly to you.
Q. How much is each looking to risk?
A. I would like to "risk" between $50,000 and $100,000. However, if an
arrangement cannot be struck with me at my proposed amount, I am
prepared to go higher, as much as $250,000.
Q. What motivates you to look at futures trading?
A. A desire for upside potential and frustration with the performance of
my other investments. I am protected financially on the downside. That
is I am not leveraged, have gotten my children through college, have a
modest government pension, lifetime health care, life insurance,
long-term care etc. etc. However, as I project my financial life into
the future, I see no opportunity for making any serious money. My life
is comfortable enough. However, I would like to be able to do something
for my two daughters. Furthermore, I have been doing a lot of reading
about investment matters and have become very dissatisfied with the buy
and hold strategy, both conceptually and in the results of my
investments. I also like your view of life. I've read one of your books.
I hope the above allows us to continue this conversation. I appreciate
your patience. |
One of my primary concerns is that you and your friends do not risk more
than you can afford to lose.
I want to make sure that you do not have
to reduce your standard of living on account of losing money in a
speculative account.
I use a rule of thumb that you place less than 10%
of your liquid net worth at risk and that you stop your losses at 50% of
that - so you have net exposure of 5% of your liquid net worth.
If you have a net worth of 1.5 million, you might have liquid net worth (cash,
stocks, bonds, etc) of, say, about 500,000 (a wild guess). Then you
might place $50,000 of that at risk and cut your loss if you lose
$25,000.
If you are young and have another source of income, or if have higher
liquid assets, you might be able to risk more.
The idea is to keep the
venture below your threshold of financial importance, so nominal ups and
downs do not trigger your emotional uncle point and motivate you to
abandon the venture during drawdowns.
If you are going for a 3-way partnership, then you might make a $150,000
account by each contributing $50,000 (assuming your risk budget covers
it).
With partners, you have an
additional dimension of having to make
sure each participant is able to commit to staying the course, through
ups and downs, for a year or two, to give the system a chance to work.
Sometimes the Action
is mostly a bumpy ride.
Clip:
http://www.thedahl.org/mountainphoto/
images/DWD%20SHOTOUT%20BUMPY%20
RIDE%20(2).jpg |
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Transcript
Hi Ed,
From the Nov 13 FAQ about TSAA Conference, Ed says, "OK. I am preparing a
transcription of the speech."
May I ask if the transcript is available on the website? Many thanks. |
The transcript is currently available
only in the "wooden" form.
The Transcript
is
still in the pencil
Clip:
http://img.webring.com/r/t/
thecreativewrite/navbarlogo |
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Government / Rights of
Man
I think your consistent comments regarding the role of government (eg. FAQ
1st Dec) have been spot on!
For those interested [they can look up]
Thomas Paine's Right's of Man
|
The notion of "rights"
implies a "rights" grantor, like a government - so
grants of "rights"
accompany acknowledgment of government. The bigger the
government, the more "rights" you seem to have.
You might notice when
you start out in life your parents provide everything you need and
you have no
rights and you do not need rights.
When you grow up, you
find out you have a lot of rights, like the "right" to keep about half of what your
earn.
In the Responsibility
Model, people focus on opportunities rather than on rights.
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
views all government as a necessary evil.
Interestingly, he also proposes social security, universal free
public education and a guaranteed minimum wage.
Clip and Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
|
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Job Ad - Personal Assistant to Ed Seykota
Dear Ed
Regarding your job ad.
Beautiful.
Thank you - this is a great lesson for those of us who do not have the
portfolio of skills you specified.
I am not able to apply but sincerely hope somebody fits the bill - If they
do they're a great person and certainly deserve the job.
The rest of us, myself included, must ask ourselves what portfolio of skills
we are acquiring and to what end. |
OK.
To Find a Good Programmer
ASCII and ye shall receivii.
Clip:
http://www.programtransformation.org/pub/
Sandbox/YourOwnSandBox/programmer.jpg
|
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
My Cumulative Benefits to Date
from Using TTP
Through TTP I am more non judgmental
TTP has allowed my entire family to subscribe to the
responsibility model
I have confirmed right livelihood through TTP
I found the NOW through TTP and I stay there a lot more
often
I skip less often to the non existent past and future
My temper is substantially reduced
My violence is virtually non existent
I understand the difference between anger and
frustration
TTP has made me a patient listener
TTP has lit a fire under me to be an example to confirm
your teachings
TTP has taught me humility enabling me to work on the
areas that need work
I realize most of the time the positive intention of my
feelings
TTP allows me to experience the zero point and stay
there for periods of time
TTP causes me to have substantially less physical aches
and pains
I no longer enroll myself in outside dramas
I am less frequently enrolled in family dramas
I have a better understanding of who I am
I see more clearly than I ever have before
Through TTP it is up to me
I learnt that TTP is very practical for everyday life
I learnt SVO-p which is very clear
Because of TTP I am living our Family Mission Statement
instead of reading our Family Mission Statement
I love my wife more today than at any other time
I am comfortable with who I am
I understand my control panel
Your book has enriched my wife’s life which enriches
mine
Because of TTP I have learnt the PPR rule which may be
the greatest overall gift
My kids love the fact that they can tell me anything
because I do not judge them
Most excess luggage has been purged because of TTP
Because of TTP my children will have substantially less
luggage to process
TTP has taught me that it is ok for me to need my own
space at times
Because of TTP I have a very special relationship with
my children
Overall my life has been enriched because of TTP
I accept my parents for who they are
I no longer resent my brother
Your book has helped my wife to not put up with any
games from her parents which enables our home to be less stressful
My wife is closer to her mom the last 5 months than at
any time within the last 9 years, which makes visiting her parents less
stressful
I learnt the 2 most powerful words in the English
language through TTP – I commit
I learnt we are all connected in some way
My perfectionist behaviors are less inflicted upon
family members |
Thank you for sharing your process.
At the Zero Point
love comes out to play.
Clip:
http://www.coastsidephotography.com/
lovers-photos/
|
|
Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Correct Stock Picking
Dear Ed,
I am an [Nationality] trend following trader and I am used to read and follow your
advice published in your web site. However, I have never found an answer to
this question: how can a trend follower make a correct stock pick as he
bases his decisions only on prices? In fact a trend follow has to follow a
trend and not forecast it. But if the trend he wants to follow is either
likely or is showing strength, from what he can judge that this strength
will persist? In fact, to follow strong trends is not only easier but also
more profitable. So, how I can be more selective?
Kind regards, |
You might consider taking your
feelings about wanting to be "correct" to your tribe as an entry point.
Wanting to Feel Right
and
its cousin,
unwillingness to feel wrong
can
be costly in the markets
and
in life.
Clip:
http://www.sylviarimm.com/images/A+.gif |
|
Sun, 11 Dec 2005
The Best
see:
Intentions Equal Results
ED SEYKOTA,
You are the best!!! |
Hmmm ...
The Best
implies the existence of
1.
a worst,
2.
some kind of contest, and
3.
a way to judge.
Clip:
http://apollo.sdln.net/exlibris/aleph/u16_1/
alephe/www_f_eng/icon/kids_intro/k-intro-best-ro.gif
|
|
Sun, 11 Dec 2005
Engaging Hot Seat Experience
Ed,
I am writing to share my experience on the hot seat with the [City] tribe
earlier this week.
I have a personal a-ha while another member is on the hot seat and I ask the
tribe to help me experience the fear of not having enough money. They ask me
to describe this fear and I rub my hands while I talk. The tribe encourages
me to continue this action and turn up the intensity.
I get into the process and my left hand starts "sawing" my right arm off at
the elbow and the wrist. This hurts and I start to feel the pain.
I don't like the pain and I look for excuses to avoid feeling the pain. The
tribe members are all over me every time I back away and they encourage me
to get into the form and really feel the pain.
I punch my right palm with my left first and it goes red from the blows. The
tribe encourages me and the drive behind the punching changes from angry to
mechanic as if I were on auto-pilot.
The pain itself changes as well and I feel detached from it. It is as if my
brain acknowledges that it is feeling pain but it is not troubled by the
pain.
I stopped punching my palm and my arms feel light and hollow. I think that I
am done for the evening but the tribe is not convinced and they do not let
me off the hot seat.
I try to rationalize and express what I am thinking and feeling. I think
that the fear of not having money is linked to pain, fear, and lack of
commitment.
The tribe sees that I am stuck so the leader suggests a new approach. He
asks me to looks at my two hands, with the left representing commitment and
the right representing non-commitment, and tell me what I see.
In the left hand (commitment) I see a crystal ball that is bright and shiny.
In the right hand (non-commitment) I see wire.
The tribe encourages me to describe the wire and I say it looks like chicken
wire. The irony of the word "chicken" hits immediately and there is a moment
of comic relief.
I am encouraged to describe the crystal ball and I see it melt away and run
through my fingers. This frustrates me and I feel like I am letting the
tribe down.
I want to get off the hot seat and I start analyzing and story-telling. The
tribe clearly sees that I am avoiding the process and they encourage me to
continue talking and telling more stories.
This works and I find that I no longer have anything to say.
The tribe encourages me to look at my hands once more. I look at my right
hand (non-commitment) and it is now empty. I look at my left hand
(commitment) but I still cannot see the crystal ball.
I want to see the crystal ball but it is not there. I am frustrated and I
feel like the tribe is frustrated as well.
I look at the shape of my left hand and I notice that my palm is facing
upwards and my fingers are stretched towards the ceiling. It suddenly hits
me - my fingers look exactly like the prongs on my fiancée's engagement ring.
I am stunned by this experience. I tell the tribe that my hand looks like
the setting my fiancée's ring and they smile amongst themselves.
The leader then encourages me to slowly move my left hand towards my right
hand. My left hand doesn't want to wait - it wants to race over and embrace
my right hand.
The tribe encourages me to continue moving slowly and it feels fantastic
because I know that the path is clear and there is no resistance. My left
hand joins my right and I feel fantastic.
The tribe appears satisfied and I thank them for their support in getting me
to this place - it would not have happened without them.
Later that night I realize that the crystal ball was not a globe but the
diamond on the engagement ring. Again I feel stunned and humbled by the
entire experience.
I sincerely want to thank you and everyone from the [City] tribe for
sharing this process. I believe that it has made a positive impact on my
life and my relationships with others.
I hope you and everyone from the tribe have a fantastic holiday and best
wishes for the new year. |
Thank you for sharing your process.
You might consider reviewing your vows
to marry when you are both at the zero point.
Promises and Commitments
bring up lots of feelings.
Engage
French: en gage =
"make +
pledge"
Commit
Latin: com mittere =
"together + send or put"
Marriage can
support Right Livelihood and/or be a crucible in which to dramatize k-nots.
Clip:
http://www.refinedjewelry.com/
images/engagement-ring-gold.jpg
|
|
.jpg){kind=link}
