Tag: meditation

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The 5 Standing Postures

Steve Rowe

Zhan Zhuang, the 5 Standing Postures There is lower and upper yin, lower and upper yang and neutral. In my system they play an important role, they train:BreathingPostureMental awarenessFocusSensitivityIntensityLeft and right harmonyUpper and lower body harmonyHow to use these skills to move energy around the bodyHow to use emotion to colour energyDifference between yin and yang energy Being sensitive and skilful with energy means that we don’t just stand for long periods but as the energy ‘peaks’ in each position we transition to another as this is what happens all the way through the Tai Chi form and when push … Continue reading The 5 Standing Postures

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To Talk Little Is Natural

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Twenty Three  “To talk little is natural.High winds do not last all morning.Heavy rain does not last all day.Why is this? Heaven and Earth!” When everything is agitated and we feel pressured, we have to understand that it can’t last long because Yang has to pass to yin, it’s the way of nature. “If heaven and Earth cannot make things eternal,How is it possible for man?  He who follows the TaoIs at one with the Tao.He who is virtuousExperiences Virtue.” Inside the infinite, when anything is defined it automatically creates the opposite. When we follow the … Continue reading To Talk Little Is Natural

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Yield And Overcome

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Twenty Two    “Yield and overcome;Bend and be straight;Empty and be full;Wear out and be new;Have little and gain;Have much and be confused.  Therefore the wise embrace the oneAnd set an example to all.Not putting on a display,They shine forth.Not justifying themselves,They are distinguished.Not boasting,They receive recognition.Not bragging,They never falter.They do not quarrel,So no one quarrels with them.Therefore the ancients say, “Yield and overcome.”Is that an empty saying?Be really whole,And all things will come to you.” Have a ‘soft front’, be polite and courteous, yield and accept the inevitable, want nothing and you’ll want for nothing. … Continue reading Yield And Overcome

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The Virtue In Following The Tao

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Twenty One  “The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao and Tao alone.” We tend to complicate the Tao, we can’t believe how simple it actually is. To stick to the profundity of the way is hard because we tend to use the wrong tool for the job, the thinking mind that seeks to define rather than our consciousness that connects all things. “The Tao is elusive and intangible.Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within … Continue reading The Virtue In Following The Tao

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Must I Fear What Others Do?

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Twenty “Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.  Is there a difference between yes and no?Is there a difference between good and evil?Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,I am alone, without a place to go.  Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.I am a fool. Oh, yes! I am confused.Others … Continue reading Must I Fear What Others Do?

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Give Up Sainthood

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Nineteen “Give up sainthood, renounce wisdom,And it will be a hundred times better for everyone.  Give up kindness, renounce morality,And men will rediscover filial piety and love.  Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,And bandits and thieves will disappear.  These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.It is more importantTo see the simplicity,To realize one’s true nature,To cast off selfishnessAnd temper desire.” This is teaching us to have an open heart. Our society is so contrived and judgemental that we cling to its rules and indoctrinations. What we construe as good, wise and moral … Continue reading Give Up Sainthood

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The Base Layer Of Learning

Steve Rowe

One of the things that came out on the seminar yesterday was the importance of the structure of learning, putting in the important base layers right from the start. We all advertise and discuss the importance of character training in the martial arts and yet many don’t teach how to educate and alchemise the character and only make vague references to it. We should look to the teacher and their senior students to see how the training system has worked for them. The most important base layer is emotional intelligence, as an angry or frightened martial artist is a danger … Continue reading The Base Layer Of Learning

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The Great Pretence

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Eighteen “When the great Tao is forgotten,Kindness and morality arise.When wisdom and intelligence are born,The great pretence begins.” The ‘pretence’ is when humans think that their cultural and religious values are in accordance with the Tao and that’s not always true as universal values are different. People say “that person will get their karma” assuming that the universe works to their sense of justice – and it doesn’t work that way. “When there is no peace within the family,Filial piety and devotion arise.When the country is confused and in chaos,Loyal ministers appear.” Love and peace in … Continue reading The Great Pretence

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The Very Highest Is Barely Known

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Seventeen “The very highest is barely known.Then comes that which people know and love.Then that which is feared,Then that which is despised.” This is the hierarchy of recognition. The lowest minds will be subject to their base emotions and despise and fear, the higher minds will recognise but still be subject to knowledge and love. The highest will be objective with a much broader view and able to recognise the ‘way’ that cannot be defined.  “Who does not trust enough will not be trusted.  When actions are performedWithout unnecessary speech,People say, “We did it!”  Those that … Continue reading The Very Highest Is Barely Known

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Empty Yourself Of Everything

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Sixteen  “Empty yourself of everything.Let the mind become still.The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.They grow and flourish and then return to the source.Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.” The perfect meditation. Emptying the mind and bringing it to the point of stillness. Sit with good posture and focus on the breath, gradually the body will calm down, followed by the emotions and finally the mind. We are then harmonised with the Tao and able to observe how entropy works. “The way of nature … Continue reading Empty Yourself Of Everything