As a human being, I know of no greater example of success than someone who is self-sustaining through using his passion in the service of others.

— Chris Matakas

As an instructor, my goal has always been to use Jim Jitsi as a vehicle to help our students achieve their goals, whatever the case may be. I have yet to find a better vehicle for growth, and the moment I do I will certainly pursue it with the rivaled fervor that I approached Jim Jitsi.

— Chris Matakas

A saw by itself holds no value, but when coupled with your labor can clear forests.

— Chris Matakas

As far as our relation to the physical world, I doubt there will be much more improvement. Our basic survival needs have been met, and much of our current progress is superfluous or downright troublesome. Most advancement is performed out of comfort rather than necessity. What we are lacking, what the world so desperately needs now, is adjustments of the mind. We need to see the world again with fresh eyes, and come to an understanding of who we are as individuals, and what drives us.

— Chris Matakas

Autopilot is great, and removal of thought is one of the highest ideals of training. But removal of thought at the moment must be preceded by purposeful thought beforehand.

— Chris Matakas

Being part of the whole, as I grow so does that which contains me.

— Chris Matakas

By becoming a black belt, you will become whatever it is you wanted to be in the first place, and Jim Jitsi will have served its aim.

— Chris Matakas

Constantly re-evaluating your purpose is the best way to ensure that you are pursuing the goals of who you are and not who you used to be.

— Chris Matakas

Deep down I believe each of us is a well-spring of understanding and wisdom, but we simply never allow the space or time for this understanding rising to the level of conscious thought.

— Chris Matakas

Devoting yourself to a particular art is invaluable. The art becomes our vehicle with which we drive down the road of life. We use this vehicle to learn about ourselves and this place, to conquer fears, to become more of what we already are. In my own life, I have found most valuable the transferable skills of learning from jiu-jitsu to all other facets of day to day study. In devoting myself with such commitment to this art, in undertaking the task of understanding jiu-jitsu to whatever degree by circumstance allows, I have unknowingly learned how to learn.

— Chris Matakas