Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
Articles2 Comments

The Dying Monk

Steve Rowe

Sometimes poems just arise, this was after a meditation – I like the cave It’s high and the air is thin It’s cold, I can see my breath The stone I’m sitting on is cold The robe is rough on my skin Aching from hunger holds my mind fast I can see the monastery from here Far enough to not trouble me The problem with monks Is that they all escaping from life They seek peace from others But confined by monastery rules And religious dogma It can exacerbate problems They don’t like me I don’t need them Having a … Continue reading The Dying Monk

PoemsLeave a comment

Screaming Into The Void

Steve Rowe

Screaming into the voidNo one’s listeningThey’ll ask you how you areAnd turn offThey don’t really want to knowThey’ll tell you their opinionBut they won’t listen to youThey think they careBut they don’tAs long as they get what they wantAs long as you don’t get in the wayAs long as you’re no botherAs long as you fit into their ideasOf who and what you areThey’ll tolerate youOtherwise you’re a pain in the assIf you can walk away you’re luckyIf you can’t you’re fuckedThe void is realYou’re scream is silentIt comes from the soulIt involves every cell of the bodyBut the void … Continue reading Screaming Into The Void

ArticlesLeave a comment

Using Both Sides Of The Brain To Learn

Steve Rowe

We spent a lot of time yesterday ‘learning how to learn’, understanding how differently the left and right brain learns and how both are useful. Learning in words, in a linear logical method is essential and the most useful way of starting, once the sequence is internalised the mind can easily become distracted or lazy, at this point we need to go deeper, increasing our awareness, focus, sensitivity and intensity until we are eventually studying micro moments and connections. We also need to learn by ‘direct transmission’ and this depends on the relationship between teacher and student, it’s wordless and … Continue reading Using Both Sides Of The Brain To Learn

PoemsLeave a comment

The Power Of Silence And Stillness

Steve Rowe

We have to develop and alchemise silence and stillnessIt’s the only way to give life perspectiveIf we’re always moving, thinking and feelingHow can we give it context without anything to compare it with?The amount of time and focus we give to each is importantWhen we develop silence and stillnessWe can see everything objectivelyWe can develop insight and wisdomThis gives value and insight into our thoughts, feelings and activitiesWhen we mindlessly engage in lifeWe’re asleep at the wheelOur locus of power is externalWhen we add the power of silence and stillnessWe’re awake and our locus of power is internalWe’re no longer … Continue reading The Power Of Silence And Stillness

PoemsLeave a comment

Seeing With Clarity

Steve Rowe

The moment you think of a wordYou create it’s oppositeI want to be happy means you’re notI need to be positive means you’re notTo ‘try’ to be anything means you’re not You need to be the word AND it’s oppositeOne only exists because of the otherThen they balance each other outA balanced state is betterThis creates a deeper form of insight and wisdom Like the line between yin and yangIt’s a doorway to enlightenmentA portal to the infiniteWhere everything is balancedAnd the suffering of opposites ceases Cease strugglingCease tryingAllow everything to mergeThen the illusion disappearsAnd you can see with clarity Continue reading Seeing With Clarity

ArticlesLeave a comment

Knowing Yourself

Steve Rowe

I’ve never been comfortable with titles, grades, certificates and awards. Nothing against them, they’re just not for me. I haven’t turned grades down from people I respect but have upset and subsequently fallen out with people that run awards ceremonies because I wouldn’t associate with them or accept their awards. I know who and what I am so don’t need recognition from others, I know what I’m both good and bad at and that sometimes I’m a twat with an awful sense of humour. I don’t like to put anything between myself and those I teach so I’m not a … Continue reading Knowing Yourself

Articles1 Comment

What Happened?

Steve Rowe

What Happened?When I was a child and teenager in the 50’s and 60’s,The public owned it’s own services,Trains, buses, electric, gas, water and mail,And the profit helped pay for community services. Prescriptions and university education were free,Legal and union representation gave job security,Council housing and rent control meant everyone was housed,Equality was becoming a reality. With free education, social mobility truly happened,We had 2 Prime ministers from grammar school education,Anyone from anywhere could become anything,At last society was moving forwards and there was hope. Computers and machinery were designed to ease the burden,We were told soon we would be working … Continue reading What Happened?

ArticlesLeave a comment

A Good Teacher

Steve Rowe

Find a good teacher that has the knowledge you need.Then yield to that teacher so there are no barriers.Don’t challenge the teachings until you understand them properly.That understanding needs to be internalised with sufficient practice .Then challenge everything in a polite, intelligent way until it’s proven.Keep challenging it as there will undoubtably be hidden depths each time you return to it.Ask questions as a good teacher will be happy that you’re interested.Questions help a teacher to improve the way they teach.Challenge, question, but don’t argue as that will immediately break the teacher/student connection.If you feel the need to argue with … Continue reading A Good Teacher