Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com I remember reading in a Zen book that I enjoyed that you should not practice for yourself, but just practice for the sake of practice. I like that. There’s a kind of grim realism to it but it raises the issue of how exactly are you supposed to approach … Continue reading How much practice is enough?
Zen
Tongue behind the two front teeth
If you've been doing Tai Chi, meditation or yoga for any length of time you'll have heard the old adage to 'put your tongue behind the two front teeth'. The explanation given for this is usually that it "connects the two meridians that go up the back and down the front of the body called … Continue reading Tongue behind the two front teeth
Rewire your brain in six weeks – the benefits of meditation
There's an interesting article on the BBC website about how a six week mediation programme (that you can access free online) can produce measurable changes in the human brain. It's interesting, but does end with the disclaimer that "A final note of caution – it is important to acknowledge that any brain changes we had … Continue reading Rewire your brain in six weeks – the benefits of meditation
Alan Watts – The Principle of Not Forcing
Alan Watts - what a guy! As the public philosopher entertainer de jour he spearheaded the Eastern spirituality movement of the 60s that took America by storm and forever gave Tai Ch its hippy associations. The lectures on Eastern religions, particularly Zen, he did for a local radio station in California have provided endless motivational … Continue reading Alan Watts – The Principle of Not Forcing
Thich Nhat Hanh dies at age 95
Thich Nhat Hanh, probably the second most well known person in Buddhism in the West, has died at the age of 95. His importance, life and teaching are well summarised in this Washington Post article. May he rest in peace. "Hanh’s greatest contribution to Western thinking was to inject the idea of mindfulness: to be … Continue reading Thich Nhat Hanh dies at age 95
Just say “no!” to self cultivation
Before the Internet, back in the early 90s, there were only a few books on the subject of Tai Chi in the West, so the authors of these books achieved a kind of fame and notoriety that wasn't really proportional to their actual importance, or impact on the Tai Chi world. Or maybe their fame … Continue reading Just say “no!” to self cultivation
The invention of the Samurai
I wrote a short post for Cook Ding's Kitchen blog the other day about our Heretics series on the history of Kempo and Jiujitsu. If you're interested in the history of Japanese martial arts then I would also recommend this talk by Dr Oleg Benesch on the Martial Studies podcast, which talks about a lot … Continue reading The invention of the Samurai
Journey to the West – revisit the classic text on taming the monkey mind
In the world before Monkey, primal chaos reigned! I grew up watching Monkey on TV. This Japanese TV series based on the ancient novel Journey to the West was dubbed into English and run by the BBC from 1979 onwards. It was hugely influential in introducing Kung Fu and Taoist/Buddhist ideas to the West via … Continue reading Journey to the West – revisit the classic text on taming the monkey mind
Don’t try! The paradoxical approach of Tai Chi Chuan, Charles Bukowski and Yoda.
Is there a secret to Tai Chi? To martial arts? To life? If there is I think it might be encapsulated in the two words, "Don't try". Famously offensive American poet and author Charles Bukowski had "Don't try" written on his gravestone: It makes you wonder what he meant. Did he mean just give up? … Continue reading Don’t try! The paradoxical approach of Tai Chi Chuan, Charles Bukowski and Yoda.
Red Pine on Cold Mountain, a Bill Porter interview
I really enjoyed listening to this podcast interview with Bill Porter, who goes under the author name of Red Pine. (There's a transcription as well so you can read it too). Bill has had an interesting life, as you'll discover from the podcast, most notably going to China to interview hermits living in near … Continue reading Red Pine on Cold Mountain, a Bill Porter interview
The Tai Chi Notebook 