Welcome to my personal blog for my research and writings on animal training, behavior sciences, taoism and stoicism. I live in Germany and I hold a Master's degree in applied computer sciences.

A few years ago animal training and behavior sciences became a passionate hobby and by now my main field of work and interest. I am spending a bulk of my free time training, learning and studying about training and behavior. I geek out on science-based animal training and behaviorology in particular. In terms of my love of science I should be value-free, but I am completely R+ biased.

This could have something to do with another hobby: in my spare time I am an autodidact interested in ancient China, especially early Daoist philosophy. So it could be that you will also find something about my research and writings on early Chinese philosophy, history, religion and language. Much of it will revolve around early Daoism (Taoism) / dàojiā 道家.

My first memorable experience with anything Asian was the TV series "Life" (2007). Life centers on Detective Charlie Crews (played by Damian Lewis, best known for his role at Homeland) who returns to the force after having been wrongly imprisoned for years. Having lost his job, his wife, his friends, nearly all contact with the outside world and even his grip on reality for a time while in jail, he emerges enlightened by the philosophy of Zen. Throughout the series, he demonstrates his unique and keen insight into human behaviour and his interest in Zen philosophy.

While living his new life, Charlie is guided by elements of Zen philosophy. In prison he reads a book entitled "The Path to Zen" (by fictional author W. Cecil Steward) and this undoubtedly helps him to get through his time. When out of prison, Charlie listens to "The Path to Zen" on tape (this time by fictional author S.P. Thomas) throughout the series to help him focus and seek the truth.

Back in 2007 I didn't know that the tapes and the books have been fictional. I tried to find those books and recordings and after a long time of research Alan Watts was my best match. I was fascinated by Watts voice and his teachings and from then on I have listened to uncountable hours of his recordings.

Many years later, in the 1990s, I stumbled upon a translation of the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) of Laozi (Lao Tzu). I found it amazing. There I found insightful words pointing both to things I had already experienced or observed in life, and to things which I had never considered before and yet made a lot of sense to me. I quickly began buying not only every book I could find about the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi, but anything related.

Meanwhile, I became at least as interested in Stoicism as I was in Daoism, perhaps even more so, as I found it to be more practical and applicable.