Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
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War And Peace

Steve Rowe

Why do we take such a black and white view on dealing with violence? You can’t view violence without looking at peace and conversely you can’t view peace without looking at violence. One only exists because of the other. Martial Arts traditionally understood why this balance is important and for those of us that have taught peace and law officers at the sharp end of violence we have had to teach this balance. You all know my mantra of ‘a soft front and strong back’ because good manners, politeness, kindness and gentleness, patience, tolerance and compassion are the mark of … Continue reading War And Peace

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Don’t Kill Someone With Depression

Steve Rowe

The problem with ’copy and paste’ and ‘meme’ oriented social media is that people thinking they’re doing good can end up causing more harm. When they (in all good spirit) encourage people with depression to ‘speak out’, ‘talk to someone’ and ask ‘if they’re okay’ can exacerbate the depression if the depressed person feels: That if they do speak up they’ll make the situation worse by agitating or scaring those around them and end up withdrawing and isolating themselves. They feel a lesser person by letting others know and will be passively bullied by them trying to help or sort … Continue reading Don’t Kill Someone With Depression

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We’re Not All The Same

Steve Rowe

Some people fit easily into a life of servitude, are good children and grow up into jobs providing a regulated environment. That was never me. I hated school, didn’t study and failed any exams. Never got on with my parents and was always the naughty child and odd one out. I left home as soon as possible and didn’t like jobs with a regulated environment and went self employed as soon as possible. I’ve always worked and studied hard in my adult life, have been very successful when I didn’t need to rebel and have always trod my own path, … Continue reading We’re Not All The Same

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Look To The Old to Understand The New

Steve Rowe

温故 (On-ko) is to ask old things. 知新 (Chi-shin) is to know new things. This is really interesting, the idea or principle of learning should be properly understood and permeate everything in our lives and particularly our martial arts. We are often guided toward modern business and spiritual gurus wasting a lot of time and money, not really understanding that there’s nothing ‘new’ in the universe and that truth stands for all time in all things. If we know how to look, the roots are deep and worth researching. For me, ‘truth’ in the way the world works, the underlying … Continue reading Look To The Old to Understand The New

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How To Fit In…

Steve Rowe

I’ve always had a lot of difficulty with word ‘love’ because you can ‘love’ anything from ice cream, to your dog or wife and religious or spiritual people are always telling us that we should to ‘love’ everyone – and there’s no way I can do that. I might not be able to love everyone but I can find patience and kindness toward them, so I work with that. The ‘soft front and strong back’ mean that I can meet everyone with patience and kindness first and to do that it can be supported by resolve, determination and fortitude. This … Continue reading How To Fit In…

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Eye Usage In Tai Chi

Steve Rowe

Eye usage in Tai Chi: It’s important to understand that your eyes lead your intention and your intention leads your chi. The more powerful and focused your intention, the more powerful and focused your chi. 1st level – you ‘look’ at the leading limb where it’s contacting the opponent to send your chi to that point. This has to then be internalised and sustained for the whole form. 2nd level – on top of that you then also ‘see’ the other limb using peripheral vision and how that is being used to manipulate the opponent in its passive form. This … Continue reading Eye Usage In Tai Chi

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Dealing With Disability & Illness

Steve Rowe

Dealing With Life Changing Illness & Disability This is directly from my personal experience of 3 bouts of life changing sepsis, 25 surgeries, amputation and cancer coupled with 50 years of training in mindfulness, meditation and martial arts, I am 72 years of age. First you have to accept yourself.Accepting who and what you now are. This will take time and you have to allow it to happen in its own time.This will give you the freedom to work with what you have rather than mourning what you’ve lost. Then you have to accept others.When you have accepted yourself you … Continue reading Dealing With Disability & Illness