Tag: shi kon

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Discipline

Steve Rowe

From my recent (not very controversial) it gives rise to this thought. We have to understand the difference between good and pad pain. We have to learn to discipline our needs and weaknesses without damaging ourselves. Discipline to make us physically, emotionally and mentally stronger is the reason we train. To permanently damage ourselves in any way is stupid. Those extra punches, kicks, push ups, minutes in stances etc push us safely beyond our limits, to go an hour without a drink will hardly damage us. I’m currently fasting for 18 hours a day, I feel hungry, it hurts, but … Continue reading Discipline

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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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Karate Rules Of The 70’s

Steve Rowe

Karate Rules In The 70’s‘Hydration’ didn’t exist.3 hour full contact sparring sessions with no mitts or pads and ‘hydration’ was a few pints of light and bitter in the local pub afterwards.Teeth knocked loose were spat out and sparring continued.Students knocked out were propped against a wall until they came round.Vomiting meant pulling the jacket forward and using the inside as a sick bag.If you forgot your belt you were whipped by the other students using their belts.If your suit was creased it would be ‘ironed’ by the othe other students using kicks and punches while you were still in … Continue reading Karate Rules Of The 70’s

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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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What Is Fa Jin?

Steve Rowe

Fa Jin (發勁) in Tai Chi refers to an energy discharge and the more you study, the more you find. It’s cultivated in layers from meditation to standing exercises, to martial qigong exercises, to tai chi form, push hands, springing hands and weaponry. There is no short cut as it’s a combination of every skill we learn in the art. The problem with social media is that it’s dumbed right down into ‘body whipping’ or people hopping around like demented frogs when in fact it’s much, much more and has an incredible amount of depth. My teachers referred to it … Continue reading What Is Fa Jin?

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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