© Ed Seykota, 2003 - 2006 ... Write for permission to reprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

TT Associates - Chart Server

Glossary Corrections

Here are a few things about Glossary you might consider:

+ I notice you have two similar entries in the glossary for the Under Fred network. One is in the Essential, section and the other in the Elaborative. You might want to consolidate them:

Under-Fred Network: Fred controls subtle interpersonal communications via emotions, such as facial expressions and body postures. He uses the emotional channel to enroll others in fulfilling our intentions. When Fred's intention is to pump feelings, and when CM does not listen, Fred may enroll others in situational drama.

and

Under Fred – the network of all Freds. Under Fred is the communication system we use to enroll each other in drama and in right livelihood. Someone might use subconscious body posture to announce a desire to become a victim in a drama, or to realize a grand enterprise. Under Fred communicates intentions directly, even without
any currently measurable means. See Magic.

I admit I may have missed the distinction between the two items.

+ The following link, included in the K-not definition does not work:

index.htm#Judgement

This link works:

index.htm#Judgment

Either spelling is correct, but the browser doesn't know that. Neither does my Mac - which asserts 'judgement' is misspelt.

+ I suggest the "Go For It" item might be enclosed in quotation marks - to indicate this item is something the tribe might -say- to encourage the sender to locate and experience forms. Further, a definition for the word "Encouragement" might provide a list of encouraging but not distracting phrases useful for receivers, such as "yes", "go for it", "keep doing that", "that's it" &c.

I hope this helps.

Fear


I have been so afraid to feel fear, it has ruled my life.

I did not know this until a sleepless night in which I told myself to feel what ever feelings arose.

In a few minutes, I'm curled up in a ball, being afraid of everything, being afraid of not know why I'm afraid.

I remember a time as a young teen, working on a farm with friends.

We're on a break and playing on top of the hay bails which are stacked inside of the barn, only a few feet from the peak. Bill starts to slip down between the hay bails and the wall joists, starts calling for help.

Jon is cool and collected. I panic and don't know what to do. I'm afraid and feeling claustrophobic with the ceiling so close to me.

Jon is helping Bill, while I am curled up in a ball, crying, terrified of what might happen in the very near future.

Bill is Ok and up on top of the hay now. Little is said on our way down to the ground and we continue our work day with subdued conversation.

Not much more is said about the incident.

I feel childish. I feel guilty. I don't like being afraid.

It isn't until I'm lying in bed that I realize that Bill was never in any real danger, and fear was the thing I was most afraid of that day.

I realized that this incident, and my being afraid of fear itself, have had a powerful influence in my life. Now that I realize this, now that I realize there is an accessible source of influence, I feel free, I feel hope.

I am willing to explore my fear of fear, and it seems to dissipate.

I see more opportunities now that my fear of fear dissipates.

As my fear of being fearful dissipates, the original fear gradually subsides as well.

There always some fear when a new opportunity presents itself, and that
is OK.

It is ok to feal some fear, and act on it as a chance to expand and grow.

I am no longer looking for the easy way, or comfortable way to succeed.

I see opportunities in trading, as well as in life, which have always been in front of my face, but haven't seen.

In many instances, fear = opportunity.

I remember a quote "If it isn't a little bit scary, it isn't a big enough game."

Maybe if FDR had been a TTP member...

The only thing we have to fear, is being afraid to feel, fear itself.

Thank you for your site, and inspiring me to grow.

So this is a process where the receivers not only encourage me (the sender) to send/present my dream, but also need to analyze it and reflect back to me if the dream is ambiguous. Is it not the proper way?

For the last two weeks we have been doing that, going through a lot of clarifications and even though I find a lot of feelings and emotions (e.g. the determined and ruthless beast) via the Process, what I get from that seems too "logical" (perhaps even story telling) to the receivers.

Many thanks.

past_issues/10_oct/001008drsports.html

If so, what differences do you notice in the experience?

Stacey.Swimme/will-work-for-food.jpg

Thank you for your time and consideration.

See Tribe Directory for instructions for joining and / or starting a Tribe.

This sounds pretty artificial and trivial, but it is  much harder to execute than it sounds. It can work miracles in changing attitudes where the participants hold strong, emotionally charged opposing
views.

~cgboeree/rogers.html

What other types of people will be in attendance?

I can be reached at xxx-xxxx-xxxxx weekdays. If you get voice mail, I will call you right back. Thanks.

I already stated what I thought it looked like it was, but I want to know exactly what it is.

Sam/Animation-Art/Sam-Art-Demanding.jpg

Dear Ed,

I greatly appreciate your advice, as always. I feel I am on to something very important and I'm very close to it, but not quite there yet, so your insight here may push me over it.

For the last two weeks I have been working with my tribe on refining my dream. When I first did my dream about a year ago or so, my snapshot was one where I hold four roles (speculator, student, author, philanthropist), and the theme is to accumulate wealth and knowledge and then giving them away. The feeling is rewarding, fulfilling and heart-warming.

Recently, as I review old FAQ's, I see one where you say the best thing we could do to contribute is to find something we really like, and do it really well. It really resonates with me and opens a whole new world. All of a sudden, I feel that the best way I can give is by being best at myself, by committing to doing things I like to do. And that becomes my dream - the dream of spending EVERY MOMENT OF NOW doing things I really like, and do them really well. The natural by-product is right livelihood.

When I present it to my tribe, I greatly appreciate my receivers reflecting their thoughts back to me. Some have difficulty giving me a pass because it sounds vague to them. Can that even be a dream, because it's like everyone wants to do things they like anyway? Can that be a dream because it is so vague that there may be a lot of potential conflict? They want me to clarify what is the thing that I want to do, and I give some examples, but they are not definitive (like a must-do). Then I may have gone too far and some say I am too specific, but we all get the feeling that it is something along the line of going with the flow every moment. (The next day on the train to work, I think of Forrest Gump - who does thing so naturally, and just by being himself and doing things he does best (running, ping-pong, shrimp-boat captain, even in Vietnam), he serves a lot of people and changes their lives. Surprisingly Gump fits the closest to my dream.)

My receivers ask for a snapshot to give them a clearer picture. I envision a snapshot when I know I am about to die, and I look back and have a fulfilling and rewarding feeling that I have spent my life the way I like it, and there is nothing that I want to change. I live my damnedest.

The receivers do not pass me because it is too reflective. They want me to try 20 years out instead of the end of my life. So I do that, living through a day 20 years from now. Still, I do not get a pass, perhaps because I spend too much of my focus on consciously explaining to them and justifying my reasoning.

Finally, we decide to go to TTP to find out what stands between me and fully experiencing my dream. I first feel frustration and aimlessly moving my arms and legs. Eventually it gets to the same old feeling which I have experienced on previous hot seat sessions - breathing hard and rapidly to the point where I choke. And this time I am roaring like a beast. I am like an animal fighting, not backing down, and determined. I keep roaring and crying out loud despite my throat turns sore; I breathe hard and deep and fast to the point I feel like puking, and then I come right back and go through that experience again. I have this feeling in past hot seat sessions as well, as I long for the feeling of a determined and committed warrior who knifes through anything that stands in his way. Perhaps I long for this overcoming power feeling that I engineer this breathing/puking experience, and in a way I am saying to myself, whatever beating I am taking now, I am not backing down and I will overcome it.

As I push the puking feeling further with the encouragement from my receivers, I finally "overcome" it by spitting out some disgusting phlegm (thanks God I have the Kleenex before I actually spit it out). The next stage is when I gather my strength and stand up, and I forcefully move my hands and strongly release my fists, like releasing some invisible magic force. I feel like giving. I feel even though I am giving away all these power, I actually still have a lot inside of me. It feels good.

The process is very powerful and I feel great about it. After experiencing these I finally step out. These are great feelings I want to feel, especially the feeling of a determined beast roaring past obstacles, fighting against heaven. Perhaps it is related to ... my c-section birth and not going through the struggle of birth, and also related to my feeling of not wanting to confront. There is actually this shadow (beast) side of me that I am suppressing, when I am quiet, shy and gentle most of the time. And now after all the struggle, I have the power that is overflowing and I want to give out to others, metaphorically speaking. And despite my giving, I still have more inside.

I explain all these to the tribe members. And here's where we are stuck. All agree that I have gone through a lot of feelings, and some congratulate me on the work I've done. However, some remain unconvinced. They feel that it sounds too "logical", as if I am explaining it. They feel that it may be CM who is scripting the beast fighting part, and that I am trying to overcome the feeling (like choking to the point where I almost puke) instead of accepting it as I repeatedly use the word "overcome", "fight" and "conquer."

So even though what I have experienced "makes sense" to me, I respect my receivers' observations and wonder if it indeed "makes too much sense?"  My receivers think that it may be another dramatic act (another judge) that Fred engineers so that I don't get to the true underlying feeling. Some have made suggestions that maybe I can feel the polarity of the "beast" side and my "gentle" side at the same time.

I really want to get to the root of it and find my right livelihood. (Another favorite quote from FAQ: Right livelihood means commitment to a course of action that you and your Tribe refine with TTP) I have a recurring issue with not committing and not taking it to the fullest. In addition to the last two weeks of work with my tribe, I have previously tried feeling total un-committing on the hot seat. I feel that I have gone through a lot and probably very close to it, but just not quite there yet. I don't want to give up now. I want to take it to completion for once. Can you please share your insight and help? Many, many thanks!!!!

Permission to Re-Print

Sir,

I kindly request your authorization to reprint your Risk Management article in my upcoming website.

Naturally, I shall reference the source of the article with a link to your website if you wish.

If your site is commercial and you want to copy and re-print the article, write me about licensing the article. 

TTP - Messy

Hi Ed,

I write about my hot seat experience on 8-19-04 at IV-TT.  I call it messy.

I experience three feelings when a ‘mess’ is created. The first feeling is a slimy, wet feeling in my hands and feet. I want to shake it off, and I do. The second feeling is a crunching, hot feeling, in my arms and legs. I curl up into a ball and look away from the mess. The third feeling is a focused look, my brow is crunched in, my hands are up in a ready position, and I have a warm, tight feeling in my jaw.

I label these feelings as:

1. “What a &%@*# mess!”

2. “I don’t want to do it (deal with it)”

3. “Do it!”

I experience all three feelings, separately, enjoying each feeling. Then I merge two feelings, enjoying the feeling. Then I merge all three feelings at the same time, enjoying the feeling. I let my body take the form it wants to take. I end in a standing position, one leg slightly off the ground, and hands in front of me. I focus in the now.

After this process, TT members ask me, “How do you feel about a mess?” I have a warm buzzing feeling in my chest, I say. I like this feeling. TT members ask me, “How do you feel about ‘I don’t want to do it’?” I have a warm buzzing feeling in my chest, I say. I like the feeling. Finally, TT members ask me, “How do you feel about ‘do it’?” I have a warm buzzing feeling in my chest, I say. I like the feeling.

I know I have a different feelings surrounding a mess, and I wonder how I feel the next time I encounter one.


I realize the potential of this process on 8-23-04:

It is Monday morning, my son’s nanny is late, she leaves her car keys at home, and is in need of a ride from the train station to my house. (What a mess.) I am busy working and I do not want to deal with this, (second feeling). After a few minutes, I get up and get her so I can get back to work (do it feeling).

As I drive to the train station, I realize what happens to me as I encounter a mess. AHA! This drama (feelings 1 and 2) plays itself out before I ‘do it’.

Now that I experience my feelings associated with a mess, my drama dissolves. Now when a mess happens, I just deal with it. No drama around it. Actually, as I write this, messy is not really a mess anymore, it is just another situation I deal with.

This new feeling after merging feelings has a cool outcome for me. The original feelings are still there, but they’re not the same. Maybe it’s because they’re dissolving. In any case, I see the process work for me, thank you.

Hi Ed,

Being childish sometimes, and receiving an AHA after, is myself sometimes.

Yes.

Ed, do you and the trader you worked with intend to complete the "Exercise in System Development" that began earlier this year?

~dand/newerasgal/images/disappear.jpg

How does it relate to TTP? Thanks.

Clip: news.bbc.co.uk/.../ newsid_1646000/1646912.stm

I have recently begun trading for myself and was delighted to come across your FAQ's and the Trading Tribe process. Kind of like finding an old friend (just in time I might add). Are today's TT meetings an evolution of that meeting 14 years ago? After going through about half of the FAQ's, I've not heard one mention of focused breathing, It seemed to be a large part of the process back then. Do you feel its no longer an integral part today?

2.) I recently took an intro course to VBA programming. I still have a long way to go in becoming adept at programming but I have yet to hear anyone use this particular programming language for developing trading systems and back testing. If this is my goal, is this a viable vehicle to accomplish it? I have read the FAQ rules and will not take your answer to #2 as a recommendation or endorsement for any particular commercial product. Just a bit of guidance.

Looking forward to further "Adventures of Self-Discovery"

Galary/39glasshead.jpg

True to Form

Chief Ed,

My current belief is that the propensity of TTP to become a passing worldwide-AHA is at least in part proportional to the worldwide accessibility of the TTP text.

Regarding key-concept posts: A few well-placed anchor tags attached to such
posts, comprising perhaps 5% of the total TTP text, can serve to bookmark the key detail of pivotal/foundational TTP concepts found in the overall FAQ content mix.

Such FAQ bookmarks can make overall TTP much more accessible. Efforts to create such bookmarks are therefore highly leveraged with respect to:

"Ed's ultimate intention for The Trading Tribe and for TTP is for people to experience it, and for it to disappear and become just another passing AHA."

I'm willing to assist in any project that increases the accessibility of TTP-defining FAQ-text along these lines.

I welcome your continuing participation.

PS. I would really prefer my feelings brought up in a safer environment, right I do not have much of a choice.

I also see that I always run away form work, unless I use it to escape other feelings. Funny that I must work hard to produce a relatively lazy system.

bad habits - I am proficient in losing, I even know I can lose by winning. I feel compassionate for other losers. My system will take this into consideration, I'll use good MM. It will soon be obvious that the losers are gone and my system is still alive. RIP guys, really sorry for you but I have to be responsible for my own trading.

unruly - how about just being successful, huh? People do not have to know what I'm doing. I have always got FAQ:)

addictive personality - I am already addicted to improving, this will create the system.

First Time You've Heard This?

Ed,

First off, I really enjoy your site, and I am learning every day how to be a better trend follower. Thanks for providing this service and forum.

I wanted to get your opinion on my experience as a trader, as I would be interested in your comments and perhaps some of your readers would benefit by reading this.

I have made two attempts during my life at becoming a full time trader. Both time I did this were after successful one year runs, where I wasn't crazy about my current job, and figured I was good enough to no longer need a job. Each lasted about 3 months, and each of these 3 month periods were my two most disastrous trading periods. Since the last 3 month period when I did this, I have started two other businesses and once again only devote an hour or two a week trading. Guess what? I am really doing well again.

I have come to realize that when I spend this extra amount of time on trading, I simply over trade and I get this overwhelming feeling of panic which I can't remember ever experiencing outside of these periods. When I am busy working on my other initiatives, I seem to filter out all the noise of daily market movements and am better able to see the trend.

Have you ever heard this from anyone before?

- If you have any other tips and suggestions that you feel will be helpful.

Thank you for your time and help.

is in you.

Results and Intentions and SVO-p


Chief Ed,

I am implementing TTP communication techniques (such as direct and clearly articulated intentions in SVO-p format) to the best of my ability (as I understand the techniques) day-to-day. SVO-p is very [discontinuous / jagged / not smooth] to implement at first.

During one episode which concerns a kind of ambiguous, quasi-business proposal made to me recently by someone who observes one of my businesses, I experience instant results.

The result is that the person receives my intention-statement replies by email, and is no longer communicating. As in, no communication whatsoever.

Experiencing the personal hopeful feelings of maybe communicating further with this person is an interesting episode in itself as I come to understand some parts of what is actually happening.

~dsimanek/3d/illus2.htm

Fred already knows what is going to happen. All you can do is stay focused on the big picture and "keep on keeping on." We only get in trouble when we try to do it our way and Fred doesn't agree.

drama%20team.jpg

It feels good. As I move through this process, I repeat one form where I am on my knees, laying face down on the floor with my arms spread out over my head, almost a stretching exercise. I find this form peaceful and insightful. Through this process my guilt / shame / regret is reframed as the most profound feeling of love for my family. A love which I am now willing and free to express and acknowledge. A love which doesn't have to be realized by acting out a drama.

Back with my family once again, I feel a sense of closeness, a bond, and a commitment to both send and receive all the love we share. The ones I love are so beautiful, their smiles bright, their hugs energizing, their innocence inspiring, their expressions meaningful. TTP has brought so much growth to my life and this is yet another example.

In the past week, I have yet to experience the dead-end feeling which takes me out of the present moment. I seems like it has wanted to come out, but finds no outlet and is reframed as renewed focus on the present moment. At times I find myself stretching my arms overhead, much like the form I experienced on the hot seat, it brings about warm feelings of joy and love.

I started practicing TTP thinking I would reach a destination where I would be a "new and improved me", I no longer think in those terms, I am simply on a path of which TTP plays a crucial role.

I need this week the confirmation if I can attend to the workshop, because I have to book a flight?

- Can I send the money by bank wire if not I have to ask my bank for a check which is acceptable in USA?

- I have to book in the hotel one day earlier, because I am coming from Germany, I have to made the reservation with the hotel, do you arrange some special rates for the workshop attendees?

Thank you for your help.

See Workshop page, above, for complete instructions.

Flash of Lightning

Ed Says: "People who are Unwilling to create clear communication sometimes send
inaccurate messages to justify feeling indignant about the response."

As a non-native English speaker I try to do my best and yes unworthy treatment make me set things forth clearly and distinctly.

You might take my criticism, biting in tone, as an entry point into TTP.

Clip: www.tribuneindia.com/ 2000/20000223/sports.htm

In addition, I realize that I am the trader I want to be now. I always am the trader I am (want to be) and never the trader I am not (don't want to be) now.

Yes.

Radio Interview

Hi Ed !

The radio host yesterday liked what I was saying about TTP so much that he bumped the next guest so I could continue with a longer interview.

viittoma/radio.gif

PPR for Adults

I think that age tends to represent a measurement of time and, as such, is based on similar cognitive constructs. As far as I can see, neither age nor time seem to serve much of a purpose other than for convince sake – as a coordinator or place-holder.

I switch a couple words in your “PPR for Children,” and get (what I think) is a pretty cool PPR for adults.


Private Property Rules for Adults:

1. Stuff in and around the country has one and only one owner.

2. If you are the owner, you may do whatever you want with the stuff.

3. If you are not the owner, you may not touch the stuff without permission from the owner.

Implementation of PPR eliminates most of the conflicts between citizens.

Typical Violations of PPR:

1. The government gives some stuff to citizens and tells them to share it. Consequence: Since an adult cannot award a share of something he does not own, the adults first have to determine ownership. The default way to determine ownership is to fight.

2. The government scolds an adult for destroying some stuff, taking it apart, etc. Consequence: This sends an ambiguous message to the adult about who really owns it, about his ability to make decisions and about his own sovereignty.

3. The government disciplines (taxes) an adult by taking away some stuff. Consequence: This sends an ambiguous message to the adult about the sanctity of private property.

and know they love you.

PPR Rule Question


Hi Ed

How would the PPR rules work with unrelated playmates?

I was explaining the rules to my sister, who has boys age 2 1/2 and 10 months, and her first reaction was, "how do I implement the rules when the kids are not all my kids?"

Clip: www.simplifiedsigns.org/ M.htm

Ed Seykota, a trader who gained fame as one of the featured professionals in the Jack Schwager books Market Wizards,  has developed a concept of regional trader mutual-assistance cooperatives called Trading Tribes. Visit his Web site to learn more ... My own support group consists mainly of a small group of veteran traders and friends ... with whom I exchange instant messages all day ... I hadn't realized that these chats were a form of ongoing therapy, as well as opportunities to trade ideas.

Clip: http://csehy.com/photos/friends.jpg