Tag: philosophy

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Deeper Teaching

Steve Rowe

As a teacher you might wonder why what you’re teaching seems to go in one ear and straight out the other with students. You might keep repeating the same thing again and again, wondering why it’s not sinking in. Then occasionally a student might say “you’ve been telling me this for years, but I’ve only just realised what you’ve been trying to say.” You might be presenting it badly, and that’s certainly worth examining, but also a student can’t understand anything until they’re ready. How can we tell when a student is ‘ready’ to understand that deeper teaching? Firstly you … Continue reading Deeper Teaching

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I’m A Machine…

Steve Rowe

I’m a machineProgrammed with Martial ArtsWizened with TaoismNow old and rustySome bits lostOthers replaced with second rate partsThe machine might be on its last legCateracts on the camerasAudio down 50%Limited range of movementNearly time to scrapBut put me next to younger devicesI can Bluetooth knowledgeInsight and wisdomLearned by experienceIf their Bluetooth is set to receive. The survival programming is goneNo desire to function leftWaiting for GodNo needs leftIt gets harder to communicateContract with life expiredA burden to othersCollecting dust in a cornerConstantly having to be movedAlways in the wayWhen my machine finally failsAnd goes to the scrapyardWhat happens to my … Continue reading I’m A Machine…

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What’s Going On?

Steve Rowe

Violence begets violence. The Buddhist culture that imbues our traditional martial arts teaches that we are peacekeepers and negate violent actions and intentions. Our media and politicians encourage violence by constantly labelling people and groups, this stirs the stupid in people as whatever reasoning they gave simply causes more violence. It’s not the religion, culture or ‘tribe’ that matters, these are concoctions of those that want to distract us and turn us against each other it’s the heinous act itself that we should abhor and prevent. So while our police are busy arresting OAP’s, schoolteachers and people with disabilities, the … Continue reading What’s Going On?

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The Simple Truth

Steve Rowe

The Simple TruthMost truths are simpleBut simple is not easyIgnorance is to ignoreStudents cannot see the simple truthThey listen and move onThey didn’t digestThey didn’t internaliseThey didn’t let the truth ‘sit’ in their mindIt went in one earAnd out the otherForgotten in an instantDisregardedThey divert the conversationTo what they think is a problemNot realising the teacher had just given them the answerThey read complicated booksWatch videos of people selling mystiqueBuy their snake oilNot realising the simple truthWhat they’re looking for is already inside of themIt requires them to broaden their perspectiveTo be objective not subjectiveIf they change themselvesThey change their … Continue reading The Simple Truth

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I’m Not Happy…

Steve Rowe

I’m not happyI’m not unhappyI’m not depressedI’m not joyfulI’m not thisI’m not thatI’m not binary This worldPeopleMy mindWant me to chooseThis or thatBecause it’s a binary dimension But there is a curved line inbetweenSeparating yin and yangBalanceThe optimumA line of no thingnessThis line is a portalWhere everything disappears It’s stillSilentMindfulZenicInsightfulAnd full of wisdom And in this refugeIs the secret to lifeAnd beyond By Steve Rowe Continue reading I’m Not Happy…

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The Truth Seers

Steve Rowe

This can be hard for a lot of people to understand. Some people didn’t want to be born. They’ve never wanted to be here. They’ve never liked life, they’ve never liked people. They’re not ‘damaged’ they’re not unhappy, the idea of happy, unhappy and persuing happiness is ridiculous to them. Life to them is like a prison sentence, stuck in a meat vehicle, they keep their head down, try to fit in and get by, they don’t want to cause harm and as long as they are left alone, they won’t bother anyone. They don’t understand the need to accumulate … Continue reading The Truth Seers

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Potential And The Switch….

Steve Rowe

Potential…..When practising martial arts and for life in general, we must always have the potential for hard or soft. This is the deeper meaning of having a ‘soft front and strong back’. To have potential is a state of mindfulness, to have a mind that is aware, focused, sensitive and intense. Aware of what is going on with our own mind, emotions and body and of the situation that we’re in with everything and everyone around us. Focused on what is important inside that awareness. Sensitive to our situation and of that of others and ourselves. Intensity is the guardian … Continue reading Potential And The Switch….

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Your Body & Instincts Language

Steve Rowe

Your body and instincts have their own language! Be still, be silent, breathe deep, and wait for body to calm down, then your emotions, and finally your thoughts – and then wait for your body and then your instincts to speak. They don’t use words, their language is usually drowned out by your thoughts and emotions, but when they finally calm down, you can learn the language. It’s the same that your dog, cat, all animals and nature uses. You really can learn to be at ‘one with the universe’ by listening to it. We are indoctrinated to abuse our … Continue reading Your Body & Instincts Language

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Venom & Intent

Steve Rowe

Anyone that has worked or had to function in a violent environment will definitely know this and I would have thought that almost everyone would, but sometimes I wonder. Intent and venom rule above all everything else, followed by rock solid basics that produce power. I look at so many videos showing fancy shit and think that I’d walk straight through them as would any of my Kohai from back in the day. They take the p*ss out of ‘old style’ karateka practising relentless basics and using the makiwara but they have no idea of how we trained and tested … Continue reading Venom & Intent