Tag: philosophy

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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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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

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3 Characteristics Of Existence

Steve Rowe

The search for truth is everything. The Buddha gave us 3 truths, the ‘characteristics of existence’ that are obvious but important to fully understand. ImpermanenceEverything is constantly changing and acceptance and understanding of this truth prevents unnecessary suffering.“The shape changes but not the form” – Tao Te Ching SufferingLife is suffering. Caused by the desire to have or not have something. The basic suffering of life cannot be avoided and must therefore be accepted, but ‘suffering about your suffering’ can be understood with insight and therefore averted and enlightened. Non SelfThe ‘self’ is the software of your ‘meat vehicle’ (your … Continue reading 3 Characteristics Of Existence

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The Creation Of The Universe

Steve Rowe

What am I asked infinity?The question started a spiral…As infinity swirled a conscious universe was born,Suspending and permeating everything in it.This consciousness was called ‘space’ and would remain unnoticed by everything within.Movement created time and change,Each creation naturally bought about its opposite;This pairing was a form of identification and recognition,One could only be experienced by its opposite.Through evolution, self consciousness arose;Allowing infinity to experience itself through the theatre of opposites. This theatre caused the suffering of desire and rejection,Until one self noticed a doorway,A portal back to the infinite,An awareness that space was conscious.Whenever opposites were balanced ,The portal appeared;A … Continue reading The Creation Of The Universe

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Understanding Meditation

Steve Rowe

Understanding Meditation…. Good posture and deep breathing will calm the body, emotions and mind. MindfulnessTo be mindful is to be careful and vigilant with the mind. To remain aware and present. The enemies of mindfulness are distraction and apathy. All the time that you are watching your thoughts and emotions you are mindful. Mindfulness is a good habit to adopt and is a process of refinement that will happen as long as you remain vigilant. InsightWith calm and mindfulness you will naturally create inner stillness, this will bring you insight from the deeper part of yourself. Insight brings wisdom and … Continue reading Understanding Meditation