Mental Black Belt™

The Program

The Mental Black Belt™ Program provides an approach to the day-to-day realities of our modern world utilizing, among other things, Asian martial arts principles. The founder of the Mental Black Belt™ Program, Patrick A. Mullin, is a white collar criminal defense attorney who has attained black belt ranking in both Japanese Gyodokan and Okinawan Goju karate. For thirty (30) years, Mr. Mullin has utilized these Mental Black Belt™ principles in his high powered litigation practice, with resultant honors from such prestigious organizations as the Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and Marquis Who’s Who in America. Mr. Mullin has also taught Karate at Harvard University as well as being a founder of a karate dojo.

The foundation stones of Asian Martial Arts include concepts of respect and courtesy as well as discipline and focus. Work out in almost any martial arts dojo, (“hall for the practice of martial arts”) and you will be instantly struck by the blending of high-level energy (“chi”) and powerful techniques in drills, kata (“war dance”) or kumite (“fighting”) with the continued exhibition of clear-cut respect and consideration generating from master or sensei (“teacher”) to students and from student to student. Each student is addressed with his or her surname. Each teacher is the recipient of a rei (“bow of respect”) as a courtesy when he or she is addressed.

Race, gender, religious beliefs and sexual orientation are irrelevant. One’s standing in the dojo is based solely upon his or her level of achievement in mastering the physical and mental demands of martial arts training. Each teacher and student is dressed in a gi (“uniform”) that is kept clean and pressed and adorned with a belt that signifies the teacher or student’s standing in the dojo.

Contrast the Asian Martial Arts dojo experience with our modern American life. Walk down any busy street or ride in any elevator and you will often find inhabitants engrossed in PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) whether it be listening with headphones to music on an iPod or speaking a little too loudly on an iPhone or reading an iPad, Kindle or some other electronic wonder, without giving any meaningful regard to their surroundings. Step into any office and you will find more often than not workers dressed in jeans and t-shirts or other casual attire where twenty years ago a suit or dress or more formal work attire was the norm.

The courtesies long associated with being a gentleman or a lady are now considered old fashioned or old school. Modern media devotes its attention instead to the outrageous and the self-aggrandizing, who become a form of role model for the young or impressionable.

The Mental Black Belt™ Program is for those who wish to navigate this topsy-turvy world of ours in a grounded, focused manner. Utilizing both physical and mental activities borne from martial arts principles, one will be able to take on each challenge that life provides in a focused and energized way. No need for drugs, Red Bull or other stimulants to get through the day. One will be able to fully capture his or her surroundings on a moment-to-moment basis, without retreating to another PDA reality.