Questions

(Quotes from Ed in Red)

Answers

Tue, 30 Sep 2003

Minneapolis Trading Tribe

Ed,

Just want to inform you and readers from Minnesota that the Minneapolis Trading Tribe is now meeting once a week on Wednesday nights. We have dedicated office space for meetings and look forward to expanding our tribe. We invite all those interested to contact us.

Tue, 30 Sep 2003

Incline Village TT Hardball Process

Chiefy,

I have noticed I am finding less and less DRAMA in my life since I have begun expressing my feelings & emotions physically, instead of using words.

Interestingly enough, I can see now how my stories were vehicles to ride EMOTIONAL waves. From that point of view, my stories seem boring to even think about now. And I have PEACE around my feelings: although they are strong, they are not "facts."

During Thursday night's "Hardball" session with you and xxx, I experienced some strong feelings during our exercise, and I had a lot to get out.

Yes !

Play Hardball

or don't play

Clip: http://www.usabaseballstadium.org/

giftshop/hardball.gif

Tue, 30 Sep 2003

Wife Likes the Room

Dear Ed:

The Workshop accommodations look very nice. (After reading about the hotel, my wife decided -- half jokingly -- that she might want to some along!)

You may bring a guest to stay with you in your room, at no extra charge. 

Peppermill Hotel - Reno

Mon, 29 Sep 2003

New York group 2 meets Wed Oct 1st

Mon, 29 Sep

Mon, 29 Sep 2003

Yes.

Something to Watch

While the Markets Trend

Mon, 29 Sep 2003

FAQ does not publish the identities of contributors.  See Ground Rules.

Mon, 29 Sep 2003

The Jademaster


Dear Mr. Seykota,


Ever since first reading "The Jademaster", I have always wanted to read "The Trader's Window".

Sun, 28 Sep 2003

Peanuts and other crackerjacks

Name calling and judging may indicate unexpressed frustration and anger, and unwillingness to allow things to be the way they are

You seem to have some strong feelings ... you might consider allowing Fred to tell CM about them.

Maybe He's Angry at his Patient

or maybe he's just ordering lunch.

Mon, 29 Sep 2003

Sun, 28 Sep 2003

Thank you for your encouragement.

Sometimes it's better

to feel whatever you are feeling

than to force a smile

lip: http://www.hunnybee.com.au/

Sun, 28 Sep 2003

Effect of trading on my life

suddenly the past is the past (no fear) , the future does not exist, only the present is in this moment and this moment like my heartbeat ...

although I have only been trading for a year, my life has changed dramatically in the past 3 months,

I am more healthy and disciplined, spiritually I feel connected to the metaphysical power, and CM and Fred are in harmony and my relationships with all around me has changed for the better.

Ii am happy for the first time in my life of where i am and who i am ...

BUT then the doubt and lack of confidence sets in ... is this process normal?  am I not overreacting?

FAQ does not advocate a "right path" - everyone is on a different one.

Ups and downs seem to be part of trading, part of life.

If you have concerns and doubts, you might take those experiences into TTP.

An Early Yo-Yo

Celebrates the Ups and Downs

Clip:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/

Sat, 27 Sep

TTP - Indecision

I wonder the purpose of finding myself sometimes in indefinite situations, where no progress or development seems possible.

You might begin by re-writing your question so as to make it less complicated - and more feeling intensive.

Fractal

Sometimes complicated situations

have a simple idea at the center.

Clip: http://www.parkenet.org/jp/

Fri, 26 Sep 2003

Options & Futures

I have a following question:

Do you trade options or just futures?
On the site

http://www.turtletrader.com/

turtle-leaps.html

Anticipating the future is part of the Fundamentalist approach.

Trend followers stay in the present while trading instruments of all types.

LEAPS are Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities.

 I do not know how the author of the article arrives at a conclusion that trend following does not apply to "regular" options.

Look Before You Leap

and make sure you manage your risk,

when you leap

into any type of trading.

Fri, 26 Sep 2003

Medicine and Momentum

I've been away from trading due to some health problems with my dad ... however the things are better we were a little concern ... I want to share some experience regarding the illness that I saw it as a go with the flow or trend following by the doctor ... my father got sick with pneumonia, and I took almost a week to get him better, but in the first two days the doctor did nothing other than some normal procedures in the hospital so I ask him why his was doing nothing?

Thu, 25 Sep 2003

Manhattan groups TTP measurements

Hello Ed,


Regarding 9/23/03 FAQ - Manhattan Tribe reports and your question:

 "I would like to know more about your measurement system - perhaps you could provide some examples of positive movement along your measurement scales". "Things you Measure Tend to Improve".


After having had 10 meetings, there appears to be a pattern developing. There are two main trading related areas that are impacted by TTP

1) A decrease in dramas or self-sabotage.

2) People start to do things in their 'best interest'

The first measurement is that of 'frequency of dramas', a drama for example would be not taking entries as signaled by ones system, not cutting losses, exiting profitable positions early etc.

What I observed, as the meetings progressed this summer, almost every participant reported a decrease in 'frequency' of such dramas or self-sabotage. They often make statements like I used to have a problem with cutting losses etc, but now I am doing a better job. In my case I keep a Journal where I log each episode and have seen a 70% reduction in self defeating behaviors.

The second area is somewhat harder to measure, however there is a continuum. We have a diverse group, everyone from savvy Hedge Fund manager to short-term traders and everything in between; so our group members fan the wide spectrum of skill level and trading experience.

Someone I believe in the second meetingasked 'With a diverse group as ours, how is this TTP stuff going to help all of us, shouldn't we spend our time developing better trading systems etc?'.

In response I quoted you from the market wizards interview where you said 'Psychology is the driver, and analysis is the road map'.

Thu, 25 Sep 2003

Both Livermore and Ungar seem very quick with math, and very bold.  Both have a history of volatility in their financial and personal lives.

Gambling and trading are activities, that people can approach in many different ways.

Stu Ungar

http://www.thegoodgamblingguide.co.uk/

Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2003

Observations


In the first "Schwager" interview you describe your job as "... regular Clark Kent type ..." Would you elaborate on the intent of being Superman?

In the Market Wizards interview, "Clark Kent" refers to a clerical-type job.  There is no mention of Superman.

You might show your question to some friends and have them tell you if they understand it.

Perry and Clark

Discuss Past and Future

http://theages.superman.ws/

Thu, 25 Sep 2003

Inter Group Communication

Fate and future are the same thing because everything is written in the book of life. We are predestinated. Nothing can change our fate. So, any commitment is meaningless ...

I know of no evidence that there is any such thing as the future.

Commitment is essential in working with others.

Goethe talks about Commitment

and uses SVO-P

Clip: http://www.earthart.org/

membership/images/commitment.gif

Thu, 25 Sep 2003

Floating

see earlier at Confusion


Ed Says:

One entry point might be just what you say is coming up.

For example, you might feel fear about losing control of the process and falling into confusion.

Opening The Can of Worms - might not be as bad as you think.



Yes! Thanks! I am floating off the ground. :-)

Yes !

Floating

can result from applying

TTP to confusion

Clip: http://www.inisrael.com/

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Fred, CM, & Poker

Ed,

Living in Nevada, do you ever get the opportunity to experience your feelings at a poker table?

Poker tables appear in many parts of the United States - and so do opportunities.

Poker Table

for those who know when to fold 'em.

Clip: http://www.drinkstuff.com/images/

folding_poker_table_l.jpg

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Aamznig !

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

FAQ does not endorse individual traders or commercial products. See Ground Rules.

You might take your feelings of wanting good traders into TTP.

Perhaps a few sessions at an intentional community might give you a good sense of how to identify good traders - and how to support them once you find them.

Successful Investing

It helps to understanding your traders

so you can put meaning, intention,

commitment and support

into the grip.

http://www.rockofages.com/

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Incline Village Visitor

Hot Seat Follow-up

The day after my hot seat experience you mentioned to me that I may notice that my father has changed.

You were right, but it was not what my CM might have hoped for before the hot seat.

My family and I went for a visit to my father and his family shortly after I returned from my trip. The best way I can describe it is that now my father is “real”.

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Hot Seat Process

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Toronto Tribe Update

Focusing on Feelings

Ed,


Here is a progress report:

The entire tribe is now certifiably ruthless at focusing on feelings. Once the issue is identified, stories are not tolerated. While this sounds tough, it is in fact extremely supportive of the process. Proof? Last night we had two ahas. Our first hot seat took 45 minutes while our second one only took 30 minutes. The relatively short time is simply a by-product of our intention to focus on feelings only.

Wed, 24 Sep 2003

Emotion

Greetings Ed:

What begets what? If one has studied, back-tested, incorporated risk
management, and is therefore confident in a trading methodology and implements an
autonomous approach why should one's feelings or anxieties of future prices have any bearing on system efficacy?

SVO-p syntax tends to avoid the use of why, should and must - as they are deeply inconsistent with Trend Following. See Trading Tribe Process, above.

This website reflects many things.

Your imbedded premise, that I have an opinion that one must [activity] - is your own interpretation, your own fundamental analysis, your own creation.

You might try SVO-p for a while - it might be a way out of the Matrix.

The Choice

Stay in the Matrix

or Confront the Truth

Clip: http://www.benbellabooks.com/

Tue, 23 Sep 2003

Confusion


Ed Writes:

Your limitation might have less to do with using email, than with trying to solve concepts with TTP.

TTP intends to dissolve drama by promoting communication of experience between Fred and CM.

Ultimately, this process occurs within the individual; others can assist, as receivers, by helping to focus feelings.

One way to dissolve the conceptual cycle is experience the feeling of wanting to analyze concepts rather than experience feelings.


I see your point and I have the same understanding.

One thing that is not clear to me is what kind of entry points we use for the TTP. I myself have been choosing situations which I perceive as dramas or "problems" and try to bring the underlying "negative" feelings to the TTP, re-framing them so as to experience with the feelings to the AHA point. Usually, the receiver helps me to focus on the underlying feelings which I am not always aware (conscious) of.

However, I have not been limiting the TTP to trading issues. For instance, dissolving dramas like an irrational, strong fear about the future or fate or a tendency to have power struggles with authority figures might have positive implications not only trading, but in my life as a whole.

One entry point might be just what you say is coming up.

For example, you might feel fear about losing control of the process and falling into confusion.

Opening The Can of Worms

might not be as bad as you think.

www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/ Can_O__Worms.html

23 Sep 2003

How does find ones calling?

Hello Ed,

My copy of the Forbes 400 (the 400 richest people in America) arrived in the mail today. Alas, again this year I am unable to find my name in the listing !

Interestingly, a former student of yours Bruce Kovner is however listed. He reportedly made $500 million betting on bond and currency markets and is worth a tiny sum of $1.8 Billion. Not bad for someone who dropped out of Harvard PhD. program after a bout of writer's block; took job as New York cab driver. Started trading commodities age 31 with $3,000 loan and the rest as they say is history.

In the market wizards book you said "Many are called, but few are chosen". In my case I definitely heard the call, I started trading some 19 years ago, always part time and despite with nothing to show for but losses, I somehow persisted through all these years of trading famine.

And I am glad I did, because now as a direct result of TTP, the sabotage in my trading has ended and I am finally consistently profitable !

Finding your calling is a continuation of the process of unifying Fred and CM. 

As we clear out our personal pains and dramas, our issues and feelings tend to turn outward, toward others, toward building community, being of service, locating and expressing our talents and gifts ...

Sometimes we get the Call

while we are so busy being useful

we don't even notice.

Tue, 23 Sep 2003

Manhattan Group Reports TTP Works -

I would like to know more about your measurement system - perhaps you could provide some examples of positive movement along your measurement scales.

Things you Measure

Tend to Improve

Clip: http://www.terra.cc.oh.us/

dlm137/measure.gif

Tue, 23 Sep 2003

More on e-TTP / Possible Limitations

(doing TTP by Internet)

Note: As we're on task, let's see how this resolves.

OK. I have been experiencing with these feelings. They are very, very intense. They make my head ache and I also feel them slightly like a tension in the throat and stomach areas. The head ache and pressure is quite intense ... My whole body is very stressed and tense, as I re-frame and experience with some "negative" feelings that have been dominating my life for a long time.

-----

I don't get your feelings, i can't feel your hatred and anger. Perhaps this are the limits of the " e-TTP" experience. Perhaps I need to be physically present to "see" you while you are feeling.

-----


Yes. I feel dominated and submitted. I feel deep hatred and anger.

"That Fate and Future are the same thing" is a concept, not a feeling.

"Dominated and submitted" is a concept, not a feeling.

"Tension in the throat and stomach areas" are feelings.

Your limitation might have less to do with using email, than with trying to solve concepts with TTP. 

TTP intends to dissolve drama by promoting communication of experience between Fred and CM. 

Ultimately, this process occurs within the individual; others can assist, as receivers, by helping to focus feelings.

One way to dissolve the conceptual cycle is experience the feeling of wanting to analyze concepts rather than experience feelings.

See the Trading Tribe Process, above.

Solve

a conceptual problem

and get an answer

Clip: http://www.puzzlexpress.com/

images/solve.jpg

Solve

a conceptual problem

and get an answer

Clip: http://www.math.ncsu.edu/

undergrad/Newsletter/v5.1/solve.gif

Experience Feelings

and Dissolve Drama

Clip: http://www.blackbeltsystems.com/

html_docs/pics/lmd_dslv.jpg

Experience Feelings

and Dissolve Drama

Sometimes things dissolve

into a solution.

Clip: http://www.students.stir.ac.uk/

Sun, 21 Sep 2003

Some Inter-Community Email


Yes! I feel I don't have control over what happens next and I feel frightened. I feel that fate or future is unmerciful and untrustworthy. I do not feel like taking initiative or making commitment. I feel that fate is untrustworthy, unmerciful and heartless. Only death is sincere. I do not feel like making commitment and letting it go.


-----

I get this:

I feel fear. I am not in control. If I follow the flow I am not in control, because I don't know where it goes. So I feel fear of the unknown future. I feel overwhelmed of not knowing what will happens next. The flow of the trend is unpredictable as the future. And that makes me nervous.


-----


I see. Nothing to figure out is means "nothing to predict". Now back to our session. Thanks.

Fate for me feels negative and sad and I want to change it and control it. I fear being controlled by fate and having no choices. My problem is that that which I fear becomes reality and I feel like overwhelmed by fate. I feel it like a light pressure in the stomach area, linings and guts.

-----


I even notice that there is synchronicity between markets, universe and my
life events. I still have some unresolved issue about being a victim of fate and I carry this drama into my life. I have some experience with mysticism and I seem to have a great sensitivity to this synchronicity.

"That fate is unmerciful" is not a feeling.

"Overwhelmed of not knowing" is not a feeling.

"Being controlled by fate" is not a feeling.

"Light pressure in the stomach area, lining and guts" is a feeling.

TTP can help move you through your feelings.  Working on concepts is one way to avoid working on feelings.

Concepts

Clip: http://www.dsquad.com/

img/concept.jpg

Feelings

Clip: http://www.cyh.com/cyh/

images/kids/feeling-1.jpg

Concepts, Feelings

and trying to do things

according to someone else's system.

Clip: http://www.geocities.com/

Sun, 21 Sep 2003

Trading


Dear Mr. Seykota

i am very pleased to have found your site and at present working my way through it ... I have read quite a few books on trading i.e. market wizards, come into my trading room, and technical analysis of the financial markets.

You con fine tune the mathematical part of your system through computer simulations.

You can fine tune the emotional part of your system with your intentional community. See The Trading Tribe Process, above.

Sometimes Fine Tuning

can make things worse.

Mon, 21 Sep 2003 11:23:52 -0700


Hardwired


You'll probably enjoy this read. In a nutshell, it is a report that suggests this country's biggest problem is the lack of "social connectedness" (a significant part of which includes spiritual/religious development).

It's nice to see the secular perhaps starting to realize that complete and utter secularism isn't the best way.

http://www.americanvalues.org/

Sounds very similar to our intentional communities.

Hardwired to Connect:

The New Scientific Case