Tag: philosophy

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Seated Meditation

Steve Rowe

Find a kitchen chair or something similar (as in the photo) to sit on. Breathe in by expanding the lower abdomen and back, then opening the ribs, stretching (but not stiffening) upwards through the crown of the head with the entire body, opening and filling with energy all the spaces and cavities, including joints and all tissue. When the breath in is complete wait to allow all the energy to finish rising until you would have to stop yourself from breathing out before placing the tongue to the top palette and releasing the breath, and energy, softening down, draining the … Continue reading Seated Meditation

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What Are Immortals?

Steve Rowe

What Are Immortals?Immortals are not humans that live forever.They are humans that have discovered their consciousness.They are ‘stream enterers’.Immersed in universal consciousness.Knowing what they were before they were born.What they will still be after ‘death’.What gives their body life.What is looking out of their eyes.Listening through their ears.Smelling through their nose.Tasting with their tongue.Understanding that they are an aperture.Through which the universe experiences itself.From a sea of consciousness.That has no beginning or end.From which everything rises and falls like waves.Where the shape changes but not the form.We are all immortal.If only we knew it. Continue reading What Are Immortals?

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The Observer Effect

Steve Rowe

In quantum physics, the observer effect describes how the act of observing or measuring a quantum system inevitably alters that system’s state. This is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, where observation is not a passive act of simply noting a pre-existing condition, but rather an active interaction that changes the system being studied. This is the magic that happens in mindfulness. In a mindful state we are able to observe our thoughts and emotions from a dispassionate state and by merely observing them, they change. We get to understand that anger, anxiety, desires and associated feelings and thoughts are … Continue reading The Observer Effect

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Bond Between Teacher & Student

Steve Rowe

I was reading an article on new research that said that when a baby is formed in the womb the exchange of cells with the mother’s body leaves many of the child’s cells in her body after birth, changing her cells permanently forming a life long bond between mother and child. A traditional martial arts teacher over time forms a relationship with a good student that creates a fundamental change in the student’s psyche forming a life long bond between them that can never be changed. Wherever they go, whatever they do in life they remain bound by the teachings. … Continue reading Bond Between Teacher & Student

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Tai Chi Does Me

Steve Rowe

My morning training sessionI think I’ll work on this or thatThe moment I drop into ‘the zone’Everything changesTai Chi does meInsight and wisdom arisesWay beyond what normal me could think ofIt’s wordless, full of understandingsThat would be impossible to describeI’m in awe of what comes throughThis morning it showed me the yinHow all the yang outward techniquesHad had an inward yin expressionStrikes gouges and pushes outwardHad strangles, chokes, throws and pulls on the insideBoth could co-exist at the same timeAnd be trained at the same timeLike in the yin/yang symbolWhile one was being expressedThe potential for the other always existedHow … Continue reading Tai Chi Does Me

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Leave People Alone

Steve Rowe

Leave People Alone Sort yourself out firstBalance yourselfDevelop your internal locus of powerIf other people want helpThey’ll askThen you decide what help you can giveSo that they can also develop their powerDon’t enable their negativity You might think that you can helpFamily, friends and those closestAre the most likely to not want itBecause they know you in a different wayUnrequested help is negativeAnd will be seen as pressureThey will see it as abuseYou can offer politely onceThen leave them alone It’s hard to watch those you love sufferBut it’s their lifeTheir pathThe best help is detachmentAnd just be there if … Continue reading Leave People Alone

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Absent Students

Steve Rowe

Any long term martial arts teacher knows this. When someone says “I won’t be there because….. “ whatever follows doesn’t matter. They’re not going to be there. I remember saying “it’s okay, I’m always happy to see and teach you, but when you’re not here, I never think about you.” The student looked hurt. The thing is, if we get upset when people don’t attend sessions, we’d be upset all the time. To be happy when they’re here, but not think about them when they’re not, keeps a good relationship and keeps the teacher sane. In the 70’s martial arts … Continue reading Absent Students

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The Assisted Dying Bill

Steve Rowe

I’m glad the assisted dying bill went through today, but it’s still nowhere near enough. Everybody has the ability to take their own life, it’s just how messy and successful it’s going to be. When ministers are arguing that it’s wrong for people to do it because they feel like they’re burden to others I’d say that that’s the main reason and the culprits for that are the government. Benefits and pensions are nowhere near enough to support sick and disabled people. When they need care someone has to pay for it and it’s often the family that can’t afford … Continue reading The Assisted Dying Bill

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I Used To Be Enlightened But I Forgot…

Steve Rowe

Around 40 years ago I was giving a talk to an astrology group about the idea of reincarnation. I suggested that natal charts were astronomical configurations that were ‘nets’. When someone died all their unresolved karmic issues went with them and the soul travelled through the universe until it was caught in one of these configurations that brought them back into a body to resolve them. Thus reincarnation until there were no issues left. Afterwards one of the attendees came up to me and said “you know, I used to be enlightened, but I forgot” and I understood what she … Continue reading I Used To Be Enlightened But I Forgot…

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How Often Do You Die?

Steve Rowe

How many times do you die?Every time you exhale it’s a deathEvery time you inhale it’s a lifeEvery time you fall asleepIt’s a deathEvery time you wake upIt’s a lifeEvery time you’re mindlessIt’s a deathEvery time you’re mindfulIt’s a lifeEvery time you dieIt’s a deathEvery time you’re bornIt’s a life Live simplyStay close to natureMeditate deeplyBe gentle and kindSpeak truthListen to your heartBe competentHelp othersHave a soft frontAnd a strong backBy Steve Rowe Continue reading How Often Do You Die?