This photo was probably around 1995 at the Shaolin Temple school of my Tai Mantis school brother, Bill Fannon.

Bill Fannon was a Universal Studios Property Master and told me stories about the first Die Hard movie of Bruce Willis he worked on. During the mid 1980s when I was studying at Tai Mantis Federation in Redondo Beach, California, Bill Fannon was the Property Master of the movie Roadhouse starring Patrick Swayze. So a couple times per week I would visit him on the set of the movie and teach him the Yang Tai Chi Chuan Short Form because he was too busy to attend classes.

I didn’t learn until later that Bill was sharing these lessons with Patrick Swayze who poorly represented them in the *Roadhouse movie. Bill later told me I should have got a credit for teaching him what he taught Patrick. But I would have preferred to teach Patrick directly because I’m a perfectionist and he could have portrayed Tai Chi Chuan much better than he did.

I learned my Shaolin spear form from Shifu Steve Baugh “Ru Jing Shi” who was a Southern Kung Fu master of Shifu Ark Yuey Wong in Los Angeles Chinatown. The Spear form he taught was from Dr. Kam Yuen and was the Northern Shaolin Spear Form. It’s a really cool form and I regret at this moment that I haven’t continued practicing it… That’s why I enjoy teaching. It forces me to resurrect these weapons and remaster them as I teach them to people.

I usually only practice one or two weapons each four month semester of teaching my classes. You need to carry a weapon with you every day and everywhere to fully understand it and master its use in various environments big and small. At the time of these photos I was carrying the spear everywhere and for the only time in my entire life wore a “Fu Man Chu” mustache that went down to my chin. This may have given me a slightly Chinese appearance because Shifu Wong Jack Man always befriended me. According to his high-ranking student who took over the San Francisco Jing Mo school when he retired, Shifu Rick Bucky Wing, Wong Jack Man continually asked him how I was doing.

I enjoy all the Northern Shaolin weapons for unique reasons. The spear is very fluid and snake-like. I remember practicing it in the churches I taught at while warming up for class. One church had artificial turf that caused me knee pains from practicing the spear. With all the jumping and spinning, my tennis shoes would CLING TO THE plastic grass and cause stress on my knees. Another reason to practice in various environments and learn what your advantages and limitations are. I really dislike gravel…. Grass in the park is the ultimate place to do Kung Fu.

With Shifu Wong Jack Man I relearned the Shaolin Kung Fu taught me by Dr. Kam Yuen. And then Shifu Wong Jack Man changed the moves back that Dr. Kam Yuen had evidently changed from the way he learned them in the sixties. Thanks to this relearning of my Shaolin Kung Fu from Shifu Wong Jack Man I discovered that the “Ling Po” form was actually the “Masonic Kung Fu” form I wrote a novel about: MASONIC KUNG FU by Richard Del Connor. Make sure to get it. I made an audiobook also that Audible has published.

##Masonic Kung Fu ###Kindle eBOOK.
***https://www.amazon.com/Masonic-Kung-Fu-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0083DF27M ***

###Paperback. 
***https://www.amazon.com/Masonic-Kung-Fu-Entered-Apprentice/dp/1575513501/ ***

###Shaolin Records
***https://www.shaolinrecords.com/RecordStore-R/MasonicKungFu1-R.html ***

###ShaolinCOM.com
***https://www.shaolincom.com/Products-S/Book-MasonKF-1.html ***

###Audiobook at Audible
***https://www.amazon.com/Entered-Apprentice-Masonic-Kung-Book/dp/B08P5YX4D5/ ***

These were very spiritual years for me. My wife separated from me in the beginning of 1994 so I was more focused on spirituality, Taoism, Buddhism and running my schools. My freedom was used wisely.

#AMAZON AUTHOR PAGES:

##Buddha Zhen ***https://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Zhen/e/B008BY0YWQ/ ***

##Richard Del Connor ***https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Del-Connor/e/B008BXLZLQ/ ***

##Rachel Connor ***https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Connor/e/B008CT4UIY ***

###BOOK: Shaolin Kung Fu Initiate

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***https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137559 ***

###BOOK: Shaolin Kung Fu Beginner

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***https://www.shaolinrecords.com/RecordStore-R/ShaolinKFBeginner-R.html ***

***https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137554 ***

###Book: Tai Chi Beginner Class Reading Manual ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Products-S/Book-TaiChiBegCLASS.html ***

***https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137609 ***

##BUDDHA ZHEN SECTION of ShaolinCOM.com

###ABOUT Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/AboutBZ-S.html ***

###ARTWORK of Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/artworkBZ-S.html ***

###BOOKS of Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/booksBZ-S.html ***

###INSPIRATIONS by Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/inspirationsBZ-S.html ***

###LECTURES and SEMINARS of Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/lecturesBZ-S.html ***

###MUSIC by Buddha Zhen ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/musicBZ-S.html ***

###PRIVATE LESSONS of BUDDHA ZHEN ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/privateLessonsBZ-S.html ***

###RESUMES OF BUDDHA ZHEN ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Buddha_Zhen/resumeBZ-S.html ***

##Shaolin Chi Mantis ***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Shaolin_Chi_Mantis/Bodhidharma-S.html ***

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***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Shaolin_Chi_Mantis/tournaments-S.html ***

***https://www.shaolinCOM.com/Shaolin_Chi_Mantis/weaponry-S.html ***

###NEWSLETTERS of Buddha Zhen https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/press/BZ_eNEWS-LIST.html ***

###PRESS RELEASES of Buddha Zhen ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/press/BZ_PR-LIST.html ***

##Shaolin Kung Fu Beginner book by Buddha Zhen 2008 ###EPK - BOOK - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-ShKungFuBeginner-EPK/EPK-ShKFBeginner-BOOK.html ***

###EPK - ONE-SHEET - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-ShKungFuBeginner-EPK/EPK-ShKFBeginner-ONESHEET.html ***

##Tai Chi Beginner Class Manual book by Buddha Zhen 2008 ###EPK - BOOK - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-TaiChiBeginner-EPK/EPK-TaiChiBegin-BOOK.html ***

###EPK - ONE-SHEET - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-TaiChiBeginner-EPK/EPK-TaiChiBegin-BOOK-ONESHEET.html *** ###Tai Chi Beginner - Yang Style Tai Chi Short Form of Shaolin Chi Mantis Class Reading Manual Richard Del Connor "Buddha Zhen" ***https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137609 ***

##Tao of Taoism - Using the Dao Teh Ching to Improve Your Life book by Buddha Zhen 2008 ###EPK - BOOK - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-TaoOfTaoism/EPK-BZ-TaoOfTaoism-BOOK.html ***

###EPK - ONE-SHEET - ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_BOOKS-EPK/BZ-TaoOfTaoism/EPK-BZ-TaoOfTaoism-ONE-SHEET.html ***

###Tao of Taoism - Using the Dao Te Ching to Improve Your Life by Buddha Zhen ***https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/144831 ***

###EPK - Enterprise: BUDDHA KUNG FU ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_ENTERPRISES-EPK/BuddhaKungFu-EPK/EPK-Enterprise-BKF.html ***

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###EPK - Enterprise: SHAOLIN CHI MANTIS ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_ENTERPRISES-EPK/ShaolinChiMantis-EPK/EPK-Enterprise-SCM.html ***

###EPK - Enterprise: SHAOLIN COMMUNICATIONS ***https://www.ShaolinRecords.com/EPK/_ENTERPRISES-EPK/ShaolinCommunications-EPK/EPK-Enterprise-shCOM.html ***

##Buddha Zhen YouTube CHANNEL

***https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcKiDa7cTlmxJVkptMWUSPA ***

##Kung Fu Cowboy YOUTUBE CHANNEL ***https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-54AuGDssg2MwfQmn2Ev_Q ***

##Tai Chi Youth CHANNEL YouTube.com

***https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCe2PWhWFvT9yNOlWU_555A ***

###”TAI CHI YOUTH" - Richard Del Connor Explain's Tai Chi ***https://youtu.be/cYplNJogI4s ***

###”CHINESE YOGA" ***https://youtu.be/CDnlDvxS2pA ***

These are what I’m leaving behind. I’m evolving into something new for the rest of my life. I’m 68. I’ve gone through 3 surgeries, chemotherapy and cobalt radiation treatment. I should live a little longer. I am anxious for a NEW PHASE of my life. No kids. No wife. No parents. Just my cat.

Maybe I’m dead when you read this. I’m trying to leave behind a couple organizations to keep my creativity, creations, products and inspirations alive for the future. My kids won’t help me. I have no wife. None of my relatives will keep my memory or legacy alive.

#American Zen Peace Foundation

***https://AmericanZenPeaceFoundation.org ***

Perhaps this FOUNDATION will use the profits from sales of my products to pay salaries to people to maintain my websites and keep my books and albums on the internet shelves.

##American Zen Peace Foundation DAO

***https://app.SuperDAO.co/american_zen_peace_foundation ***

Perhaps this Web3 crypto organization will keep my legacy alive. Can I evolve onto the blockchain?

##American Zen WEBSITE: “America’s First Buddhist Rock Band™“

***https://www.americanzen.org ***

Perhaps this website will inspire youth the way I wanted to be inspired and enlightened as a teenager.

#Tai Chi Youth NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

This 501(c)(3) public charity education organization was founded in 1996 and never had enough money to hire anyone or pay me for teaching the classes. Fundraising was never my calling in life. But I took the SHAOLIN CHI MANTIS Beginner Program and stretched it out into the BEST KUNG FU PROGRAM on the planet Earth. The best. Never seen anything even close.

***https://www.TaiChiYouth.org ***

Help me keep this organization alive. If my other products make enough money to keep the American Zen Peace Foundation alive, I created as part of the American Zen Peace Foundation MANIFESTO: instructions for supporting and maintaining the future of the Tai Chi Youth nonprofit.

Tai Chi Youth also has a DAO I am creating right now with our first FUNDRAISER NFTs I created from the “Blue Painting” I made at the Martin Luther King Hospital and chopped up into 13 different NFTs.

***https://app.SuperDAO.co/tai_chi_youth ***

###NFT: Ming Tai Chi Crane Wing https://mirror.xyz/0x44043C6DFB93765434D1c7b6E413fD88df3F2cc5/editions/0xe6098D276b6e8C4D05111418153A3f6E5FAbaE17/0

###Tai Chi Youth Roadmap ***https://richarddelconnor.gitbook.io/taichiyouthonlineschool/ ***

I donated two sets of the “KUNG FU OUTLAWS” NFTs to Tai Chi Youth. One set to keep forever and use for bank loan Web3 collateral. The other set of 107 NFTs are for auctioning and fundraising.

***https://OpenSea.io/collection/kung-fu-outlaws ***

###Mirror CROWDFUND for building the TAI CHI YOUTH ONLINE SCHOOL:

***https://mirror.xyz/0x44043C6DFB93765434D1c7b6E413fD88df3F2cc5/crowdfunds/0x991e9521BAaa592e3656a678acCc23a0647aFA40 ***

#Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Kung Fu and Taoist Tai Chi Chuan

***https://www.ShaolinChiMantis.com *** ***https://www.ShaolinInteractive.com *** ***https://www.ShaolinKungFuBeginner.com *** ***https://www.ShaolinZen.org *** ***https://www.ShaolinZen.TV *** ***https://www.ZenBuddhistPodcast.com ***

This is the most amazing Kung Fu school in the world.

***https://www.shaolinchimantis.com/Pages-M/cur7year-SCM.html ***

It teaches 18 Classical Chinese weapons. It teaches the 10 super difficult Shaolin Kung Fu forms from 1000 AD. It teaches the Shaolin Chi Mantis BEGINNER PROGRAM which is also the entire Tai Chi Youth curriculum. It teaches Buddhism: Shaolin Kung Fu Beginner, Shaolin Kung Fu Intermediate, Shaolin Kung Fu Advanced. It teaches Taoism: Tai Chi Beginner, Tai Chi Intermediate, Tai Chi Advanced, Tai Chi Shifu. It teaches Confucianism: Human Values for Success in Family & Business. It teaches Yang Tai Chi Chuan: 5-year program with new lessons every week.

I’ve done my best to illuminate and improve humanity, improve the future, inspire goodness, and “End All Wars™” with my books, music, podcasts, performances, lectures and lifestyle.

Like a man in the Amazon rainforest, I have improved the life of a few savages, but not the world. I am unknown to most of the world.

I’m evolving into a spiritual being THAT WON’T RETURN TO THIS PLANET. I’ve done enough. I’ve done plenty. What if I come back as girl in Texas and get raped, forced to have a child, raise the child without the opportunity for an education… There’s no sense in hoping for a better life. This has been a great life. I’ve lived and survived in poverty since 1954. I’ve never made more than $50,000 in one year. Never had enough money to own a house or buy a new car. I spent 15 years raising my children without a supportive wife. She gave me room and board but said she would not give me an allowance because she knew I would run away with the kids. So the people and parents in this lifetime have held me down in slavery. No one wanted me to succeed more than just survive or at best, be self-sufficient so they wouldn’t have to worry about me.

Despite my financial, marital and family handicaps I am proud of the life I’ve lived. Perhaps I will experience financial and cultural success before I die. Maybe.

Richard Del Connor, Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang, Spirit Wolf of Truth, The Hippy Coyote, Don delaVega, Tom Calder, Rory G, Steve Hixon, Rachel Connor, and Kung Fu Cowboy here… for a moment more. I’m evolving.

***https://www.RichardDelConnor.com *** ***https://www.BuddhaZ.com *** ***https://www.BuddhaZhen.com *** ***https://www.HippyCoyote.com *** ***https://www.CoyoteRadio.TV *** ***https://www.FolkRockTroubadour.com *** ***https://www.PsychedelicRockOpera.com *** ***https://ScorpionResurrection.com *** ***https://ShaolinDigital.com *** ***https://ShaolinFilm.com *** ***https://KungFuCowboy.com ***

So this book EVOLUTION OF A SHAOLIN MONK was written while recuperating in a hospital and meditating on my future as the disciple of Grandmaster Wong Jack Man (who fought Bruce Lee in 1964) and my owning the book publishing company, Shaolin Communications.  I also own Shaolin Records and wanted to have a successful music career as the Kung Fu Cowboy.  Plus I was building my online schools for Shaolin Chi Mantis and Tai Chi Youth.

This book EVOLUTION OF A SHAOLIN MONK will detail what I was thinking during those "Crossroads" in my life.  I hope you find this enjoyable, entertaining and inspirational.  It was all three for me.

###eBOOK: Evolution of a Shaolin Monk ***https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD4Z2K7C *** $9.99

###PaperBack: Evolution of a Shaolin Monk ***https://www.amazon.com/dp/1575514761 *** 66.99

###Hardcover: Evolution of a Shaolin Monk ***https://www.amazon.com/dp/157551477X *** $79.00

#Shaolin Communications BOOK STORE PDF: Evolution of a Shaolin Monk ***https://www.ShaolinCOM.com/Products-S/Book-EvolutionShaolinMonk.html *** $9.99