Warrior’s Mind

Warrior’s Mind A trained warrior will have a soft front and a strong back He will meet the world with the soft front Showing courtesy, patience, kindness, tolerance and compassion So this is not weak It’s supported by the strong back  With hidden resolve, determination and cultivated strength and power Because it’s cultivated, he is not subject to his emotions They are disciplined and therefore a part of his power His mind is aware, focused, sensitive and capable of great intensity He is able to ‘switch’ from soft to hard in an instant  He doesn’t require a build up of … Continue reading Warrior’s Mind

Your Body Is A Prison

People sayIt’s a privilege to get oldBut they’re usually youngBeing in a bodyIs like being in prison When you go to prisonYou have to accept your environmentAccept all the things you can’t doAnd work with what you canSee your sentence outAnd hope for an early release Being in a body is similarWhatever our limitations areWe have to accept themAnd work with what we canIf we don’t get early releaseWe get more and more limitationsAnd what we can do gets less Gradually we become a burdenThe state doesn’t want us to liveIt puts up barriers everywhereAsking for helpPuts a burden on … Continue reading Your Body Is A Prison

Tai Chi – Open Your Mind

I hate clever clogsEspecially Tai Chi onesThey’re so sure of themselvesTheir lineagesTheir teachingsAre all straight linesVery definedIt’s not this or thatIt’s what they teachEverybody else is wrong Tai Chi requires a broad perspectiveIt has to encompass everythingLike a giant jig saw puzzleYou can’t leave anything outTo make everything fitYou have to seek the optimumNobody has all the answersThey’re all looking at the same thingThrough different windows Instead of putting everyone else downYou have keep growing your mindAll the time we inhabit a bodyWe can never have all the answersBe perfectOr fully enlightened The more we let go of any ‘rules’The … Continue reading Tai Chi – Open Your Mind

A Martial Artist’s Alchemy

You can train martial artsUse them for physical fitnessEgoTheatreVanityAggressionAnd the ‘street’ Or you can be a martial artistAnd study:Your body inside and outEmotional intelligenceMental awareness, focus, sensitivityDiscipline and intensity Developing a toolbox for lifeSelf defence, defendingAnd developing strategies forPhysical healthMental healthEmotional healthAnd life’s situations For a martial artistIt’s not an hour a dayIt’s a life studyWorking at a deep levelFor an alchemy to take placeAnd developing strategiesTo live a peacefulAnd more harmonious life Being a positive influenceIn your environmentSocietyFamilyCommunityAnd finding peaceInstead of violence. Continue reading A Martial Artist’s Alchemy

One Foot In Death

Blood, Sweat and TearsContemplating deathWalking with one foot in life and one in deathGiving a perspective others don’t haveThen in meditation and trainingMoving both feet into deathWith just a little toe left in lifeWhen you’re as familiar with death as lifeYou lose fearYou gain that broader perspectiveFinding your immortalityYou gain balanceFinding the line between yin and yangThe middle path, the TaoThe way of the warriorPiercing the veil of illusionRealising that what you were before you were born,What you are when you’re deadYou still are nowWatching the theatre of lifeNot happy or unhappyBut peacefulThose that opt for an ‘easy life’Missed the … Continue reading One Foot In Death

The Way Of Zen

The Way Of Zen The Samurai warrior would get up every day and say “today is a good day to d.i.e.” He would make sure that all his affairs were in order so that his passing wouldn’t be a burden to others. He would then savour every remaining moment and every remaining breath. Pure Zen. I’ve always lived to these ideasI’ve made a willLived frugallyPaid for my cremationLeft all the important information in a bookI have no debtMy dojo and flat are paid for, fully repaired and decoratedI’ve written all the books on my life, meditations and teachingsCompleted all the … Continue reading The Way Of Zen

Be Who You’re Meant To Be

What’s the best bit of advice that I can give you? Take responsibility for your own soul. Do not let anyone own any part of you. Do not give any part of yourself away to others. Listen to and be guided by your gut. Everyone wants a part of you. Everyone wants to shape you into what they want you to be. Be yourself. Walk your own path. Be who and what you’re meant to be. Any good relationship is 2 independent people supporting each other to be the best can be. Otherwise you’re just a slave to others. Continue reading Be Who You’re Meant To Be

Morning Garden Tai Chi

Early morning Tai Chi and meditation.The smell of the earthThe scent of the flowersThe gentle breezeBlowing in my skinThe deep blue of the skyEach one charging my energyBreathing it all inMy body thanking meFluffing up the cavities and spacesIn my body with chiSwimming in the warm airGentle spiralling motionsPressing with the footTo power the waistTo move the armsTo express my immortal soulAnd exchange energies with the earthThe stillnessThe quietThe calling of the birdsThe buzzing of the beesThe rustling of the leavesAll in harmony with my movementWe’re all joinedWe’re oneDancing in the universe.Steve Rowe Continue reading Morning Garden Tai Chi