Hua Hu Ching - The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu

Thirty

Words can never convey the beauty of a tree;
     to understand it, you must see it with your own eyes.
Language cannot capture the melody of a song;
     to understand it, you must hear it with your own ears.
So it is with Tao: the only way to understand it is to directly experience it.

The subtle truth of the universe is unsayable and unthinkable.
Therefore the highest teachings are wordless.
My own words are not the medicine, but a
     prescription; not the destination, but a map to help you reach it.
When you get there, quiet your mind and close your mouth.
Don't analyze the Tao.
Strive instead to live it: silently, undividedly,
     with your whole harmonious being.

Meditative Sitting

"There are two kinds of sitting. One is for the purpose of rest. For this, you may sit in any position that you find comfortable. More important than posture here is a serene mind, free from anxious thoughts. Direct the mind and the breathing to the tan-t'ien or abdomen in order to feel restful.

The second kind of sitting is Meditative Sitting. It affects many neural meridians, from the feet to such areas of the upper body as the kidneys, liver and spleen. The heat created by this exercise increases blood circulation and helps the stomach digest food. Rheumatism and arthritis can be cured and prevented by this method.

In Meditative Sitting, correct posture is very important. After you have finished eating, sit erect in a chair of sensible height, enabling the feet to rest comfortably on the floor. Direct the mind and the breathing to the tan-t'ien and place the tongue against the palate to gather saliva. When swallowed, the saliva reproduces the vitality or sexual essence.  Cover your knees with the palms of your hands, with your fingers against the indentations at the bases of the kneecaps. Exert a light pressure with the middle three fingers of each hand. Press the ring finger of each hand against the outer hollow, the middle finger against the inner joint.

Meditative Sitting is convenient and easy to do. It can be performed anywhere, even when you are sitting in an office or in your bedroom before retiring for the night. You may continue to apply pressure to the meridians of the knees as long as you like, to improve the circulation and help the inner organs of the abdomen function well."

--from T'ai Chi Ch'uan & Meditation by Da Liu

Like a River Rolling Unceasingly

"Ch'ang Ch'uan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan) is like a great river rolling on unceasingly." - from The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan by Lo, Inn, Amacker and Foe

Yielding, Not Fighting

"We can live any way we want. People take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience--even of silence--by choice. The thing is to stalk your calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live spot and plug into that pulse. This is yielding, not fighting." --Annie Dillard from her book Teaching a Stone to Talk

Curious about meditation? Try this online course.

This 5-week online course with written handouts and guided audio meditations may be just the introduction you are looking for.  While I don't recommend basing your meditation practice exclusively on what you learn from the Internet, you might enjoy learning more about Insight or Vipassana meditation to start you on your journey.

If you enjoy this form of meditation and want to learn more, visit one of our local resources: Mountain Stream Meditation Center in Nevada City. There are evening classes, day-long retreats and a growing community of meditators.  The website offers dharma talks in audio and video by the guiding teachers. You don't have to identify as a Buddhist to participate.

From the website: Insight or Vipassana meditation is a simple form of Buddhist meditation that helps to calm and concentrate the mind. This practice originated with the Buddha over 2,550 years ago, and begins with focusing the attention on the breath. It allows us to see into our conditioning, and to become more present in the given moment. As a non-sectarian practice, it can be combined with any religion. Buddhist ethics and psychology are an important part of the teaching.

Photos and videos from Kuo Shu Tournament NOW AVAILABLE on website Gallery

Check out videos and slideshows from the Baltimore Tournament produced by Ron and Brian Haennelt.

Go to the Gallery page at http://bodybalanceacademy.com/gallery/index.php at click on any of the images. This will lead you into a slideshow.

Enjoy!

And thanks to Ron and all the enthusiastic and supportive parents who assist their Kung Fu kids in the Leadership Team and in every class at Body Balance Academy. We make a great team!

A Few Photos from the Kuo Shu Tournament

Shih Fu Eileen performing Double Straight Sword at the Master's Demonstration Saturday night.

Kung Fu team in fine form