Eight Immortals Cane Form

Taiji Cane

Tai Chi Chuan Cane/Stick/Staff/Zhang Weapons

Bibliography, Links, Styles, Instruction, Notes, Media, Resources, Lore

A hypertext notebook (374 KB) by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S., 11/24/2017

Mike Garofalo in Red Bluff, California.

Taiji Cane - Gene Burnett

Taiji Cane, Tai Chi Chuan Cane/Stick/Staff/Zhang
Bibliography, Links, Styles, Instruction, Notes, Resources
By Mike Garofalo

"Gene Burnett teaches T'ai-Chi in Ashland, Oregon, and has been teaching since 1985. He was certified to teach T'ai-Chi by Andrew Dale, chief instructor of the Xin Qi Shen Dojo in Seattle, Washington.  
He combines traditional Chinese principles of health, balance and self-defense with a Western, psychological, Bioenergetic approach in an on-going exploration of the body/mind connection."

Water Study Chi Kung with Gene Burnett

Gene Burnett teaches a two part cane form which can be used in partner practice.  He said that Andrew Dale created this interesting and valuable cane form, and it was based on an Aikido short staff form.  

I do not know how to do this cane form.  I am attracted to the types of strong offensive strikes.  You would need to be trained, practiced, calm, gentle, trusting, and follow formal rules for "safe' partner practice of this cane form.  

Anyone in Vancouver, Washington, want to learn and practice this cane form?  Write me.  


Gene Burnett offers many instructional videos on the Taiji Cane on Utube.  

Bau Daun Jin Research

Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung


Bibliography, Instructions, Links, Benefits, Exercises, History, Lore
A Hypertext Notebook
By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.

463 Kb, November 28, 2017

Chi Kung (Dao-yin, Yang Sheng Gong, Qigong) are Various Ancient Chinese Exercise and Fitness Practices

The Eight Pieces of Beautiful Silk Brocade Chi Kung (Ba Duan Jin Qigong) is a popular Chi Kung Form.    

The Eight Treasures Dao-yin (Ways for Pulling, Stretching, and Guiding the Body-Mind Energies)

The Eight Useful Chi Kung Exercises for Improved Fitness, Vitality, Healing, and Longevity 

Eight Immortal Ones Taoist Longevity Practices  

Eight Beautiful Tapestries Chi Kung for Nourishing Life Training (Yang Sheng Gong)

A Shaolin Temple, Taijiquan and Martial Arts Warm-up Routine

Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung

Eight Section Brocade

Draw the Bow and Let the Arrow Fly #2
Eight Section Brocade, Ba Duan Jin

Sifu Fetyko leads us in the practice of the Ba Duan Jin, Eight Beautiful Tapestries, every time we practice Taijiquan together on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:45 am to 10:15 am in Vancouver, WA.  His version is slightly different from the many other versions I have been taught since 1975.  



Sequence C:  Trigrams, Bagua, and Eight Section Brocade (Ba Duan Jin) Exercises Correlations

Soft Qigong (Rou Gong), Inner Qigong (Nei Gong); Slow Pace, Gentle, Soft, At Ease, Relaxed (Sung), Rooted/Sunk, Yin Style

             

Eight Section Brocade Exercise	I Ch'ing Trigram	Parts of the Body Affected
1.  Pressing Up to the Heavens with Two Hands	South, Summer Ch'ien, Qián, Heaven, Sky, Air Intense Yang Lion	Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach, Lungs (The Triple Warmer)
2.  Drawing the Bow   and Letting the Arrow Fly	Southwest, Mid-Summer Sun, Wind Yang Phoenix	Kidneys, Spleen, Waist, Eyes, Legs
4.  Wise Owl Gazes Backward	West, Autumn K'an, Water Yang-Yin Snake	Lungs, Immune System, Large Intestine
5.  Big Bear Turns from Side to Side	Northwest, Mid-Autumn Ken, Gèn, Mountain Yin-Yang Bear	Heart, Waist, Legs
3.  Separating Heaven and Earth	North, Winter K'un, Earth Intense Yin Unicorn, Qilin	Spleen, Kidneys, Bladder, Pancreas
8.  Shaking the Body	Northeast, Mid-Winter Chen, Zhèn, Thunder Yin Dragon	Immune System, Calves, Feet
6.  Punching with Angry Gaze	Spring, East Li, Fire Yin-Yang Hawk, Falcon	Liver, Gallbladder, Blood, Eyes
8.  Touching Toes then Bending Backwards	Southeast, Mid-Spring Tui, Lake Yang-Yin Monkey	Kidneys, Waist, Legs, Back

The above three charts were proposed in 2005 by Mike Garofalo, in his webpage on the Eight Section Brocade.  See also Mike's webpage on the Eight Trigrams.  

In 2014, Christina Barea-Young and Peyton Young provided another set of associations for the Eight Section Brocade movements with the Eight Trigrams in Qi Magazine (Volume 24, No. 2, 2014, p. 48).  

I find these kinds of correlations, associations, and relational charts quite inconsistent between various authors.  Yoga, Western Esoteric Magic, and Qigong have many of the same kind of charts and tables of correlations; again, with considerable inconsistency between various "masters."  Other than the "traditions of specific esoteric schools", I find the associations rather arbitrary and fanciful, primarily aids to remembering clusters of ideas, poetic devices, magical-metaphysical lore, and lacking in much pragmatic-scientific meaningfulness.  Contrast these charming and pre-scientific tables with the modern and justifiably famous "Periodic Table of the Elements" for a real lesson in an objective and empirical approach to understanding the world.  Nevertheless, these clusters of ideas may stimulate the imagination, and are fun for playing thought games.  


"The names of the 108 Forms are each symbolic and signify concepts removed from the literal  physicality of the object - horse, tiger, bird, and so forth.  Each name has its separate allusion, and metaphorically may connote an aspiration, a philosophical attitude towards self and  conduct, a turn of mind, a sense of being, some thought about life and spirit.  The true meanings are revealed when the T'ai-Chi Ch'uan exponent has advanced to that stage of experience comprehension where he can utilize the implication of the philosophical  intentions, and where the symbols can be part of his growing consciousness.  This happens only when the mind and body have "changed" and absorbed the reasons for mental, emotional, and physical unity."
-   Sophia Delza, The T'ai Chi Ch'uan Experience, 1996, p. 24

 
The above long chart is more readable on my Eight Section Brocade webpage, 441 KB, last updated on June 20, 2014.  

 

Highway to Hades

Malcolm Young, lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band AC/DC, died last week at the age of 64 from dementia. 

I purchased three albums by AC/DC.  High Energy!  Yes!!!!  Hell's Bells!



\

Dao De Jing, Chapter 5

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 5


"Nature is non-benevolent. 
It regards the masses as straw dogs.
The Holy Man is non-benevolent.
He regards the masses as straw dogs.
The space between the heaven and the earth is like a bellows;
though unsupported, it does not warp; when in motion the more it expels.
Though words could exhaust this theme, they would not be so profitable
As the preservation of its inner essence."
-  Translated by C. Spurgeon Medhurst, 1905, Chapter 5

"Nature is indifferent to life.
It realizes everything is as a straw dog
(a sacrificial animal-image).
The truly wise are also indifferent to life.
They realize humanity is as a straw dog.
The universe is like a bellows:
empty, yet quite full.
As it proceeds, it produces.
Much talk, much exhaustion.
Keep your thoughts within!"
-  Translated by C. Ganson, Chapter 5 

"Heaven and Earth do not claim to be kindhearted or pitiful.
To them all things and all creatures are as straw dogs brought to the sacrifice and afterwards discarded.
Nor is the Sage kindhearted or pitiful.
To him to the people are as straw dogs.
But the space between Heaven and Earth may be likened to a bellows:
It seems empty, and yet it gives all that is required of it.
The more it is worked, the more it yields.
Whereas the force puffed up by words is soon exhausted.
Better to hold fast to that which dwells within the heart."
-  Translated by Herman Ould, 1946, Chapter 5  



天地不仁, 以萬物為芻狗.
聖人不仁, 以百姓為芻狗.
天地之間, 其猶橐籥乎.
虛而不屈.
動而愈出.
多言數窮.
不如守中.  -  Chinese characters, Chapter 5, Tao Te Ching


t'ien ti pu jên, yi wan wu wei ch'u kou.
shêng jên pu jên, yi pai hsing wei ch'u kou.
t'ien ti chih chien, ch'i yu t'o yo hu.
hsü erh pu ch'u.
tung erh yü ch'u.
to yen shu ch'iung.
pu ju shou chung.
-  Wade-Giles Romanization, Chapter 5, Tao Te Ching


"Heaven and Earth have no humanity;
They regard all things as straw-dogs.
The sage has no humanity;
He regards the people as straw-dogs.
Between Heaven and Earth, it is like a bellows or a flute!
Empty, but not exhausted;
With movement, more comes out.
Too much talk always exhausts;
It is better to keep to the inside."
-  Translated by Yi Wu, Chapter 5


"Heaven and earth are not merciful,
They treat all things as straw dogs;
The sage is not merciful,
He treats the people as straw dogs.
Does not the space between heaven and earth form like a bellows?
It is empty but the air in it can never be exhausted;
The more air it expels, the more comes out.
That is why too many government decrees only result in more failures.
It is better, therefore, to hold fast to moderation and the void."
-  Translated by Gu Zhengkun, Chapter 5


"Heaven and Earth are not humane.
They regard all things a straw dogs.
The sage is not humane.
He regards all people as straw dogs.
How Heaven and Earth are like a bellows.
While vacuous, it is never exhausted.
When active, it produces even more.
Much talk will of course come to a dead end.
It is better to keep to the centre."
-  Translated by Chan Wing-Tsit, 1963, Chapter 5   


"El universo no tiene afecciones humanas:
todas las cosas del mundo son para él como un perro de paja.
El santo no tiene affeciones humanas;
el pueblo es para él como un perro de paja.
El universo es iqual que un fuelle de forja;
vacío, pero no aplanado.
Cuanto máa se le mueve, más exhala,
cuanto más se habla de él, menos se le comprende,
más vale insertarse en el."
-  Translated by Alba, 1998, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 5 


"Heaven and Earth are impartial; 
They see the ten thousand things as straw dogs.
The wise are impartial;
They see the people as straw dogs.
The space between heaven and Earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center."
-  Translated by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English, 1989, Chapter 5  


"The Sage does not take sides,
He welcomes both saints and sinners.
The Tao works upon man as it works upon the grasses of the fields.
Sages act out of the need for rightness, not purely compassion.
The Tao is like a bellows, even though it appears empty, its workings are obvious,
Yet the more you use it the more it produces, it is inexhaustible.
Yet speaking of it will not increase the comprehension.
Hold to the center path."
-  Translated by John Dicus, 2002, Chapter 5 

"Heaven and Earth are not (willfully) benevolent
The myriad things are treated no differently
Than grass for dogs
Sages are not (willfully) benevolent
The hundred clans are treated no differently
Than grass for dogs

The gate of Heaven and Earth
Is it not like a bagpipe:
Empty yet not finished.
It moves, and again more is pushed forth

To speak countless words is worthless
This is not as good ad guarding balance within."
-  Translated by Dan G. Reid, 2016, Chapter 5 

"Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs;
the sage is ruthless, and treats the people as straw dogs.

Is not the space between heaven and earth like a bellows?
It is empty without being exhausted:
The more it works the more comes out.

Much speech leads inevitably to silence.
Better to hold fast to the void."
-  Translated by D. C. Lau, 1963, Chapter 5 

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.  These are hypertext documents, and available online under Creative Commons 4.

  
Chapter 5, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.  Complied by Mike Garofalo.  

Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

A Solitary Daoist Neopagan's Final Journey  

An Old Philosopher's Notebooks

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Thanksgiving 2017

November

Seasons

Eight Immortals Cane

Here is a T'ai Chi Ch'uan Cane form that I enjoy practicing and have taught to many of my students: 

The Eight Immortals Cane Form.  Created by Master Jesse Tsao from San Diego, California.  Part I of this cane form is based on the Yang style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  This form has 36 movements.

Traditional Tai Chi Eight Immortals Cane, Routine One.  Demonstrated by Master Jesse Tsao.  Instructional DVD, 64 minutes.  Produced by Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, 2008.  Routine One is based on the Yang Style of Taijiquan.  Master Tsao developed this cane form himself, with grandmaster Zhu Tiancai's support. 

Traditional Tai Chi Eight Immortals Cane, Routine Two (Cannon Cane).  Demonstrated by Master Jesse Tsao.  Instructional DVD, 65 minutes.  Produced by Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, 2008.  Routine Two, Cannon Cane, is based on the Chen Style of Taijiquan.  Master Tsao developed this cane form himself, with grandmaster Zhu Tiancai's support.  

Way of the Short Staff.  By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.  A comprehensive guide to the practice of the short staff, cane, jo, walking stick, gun, zhang, whip staff, 13 Hands Staff, and related wood short staff weapons.  A detailed and annotated guide, bibliography, lists of links, resources, instructional media, online videos, and lessons.   Includes use of the short staff and cane in martial arts, self-defense, walking and hiking.  Separate sections on Aikido Jo, Cane, Taijiquan cane and staff, Jodo, exercises with a short staff, selected quotations, techniques, selecting and purchasing a short staff, tips and suggestions, and a long section on the lore, legends, and magick of the short staff.  Includes "Shifu Miao Zhang Points the Way."  Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California.  Updated on a regular basis since October, 2008.  Related to Mike's popular webpage on the Staff.

Toju Zenchu brandished his staff before Daoist Shifu Miao Zhang and challenged him "Miao Zhang, speak and you get whacked with Nanten's staff.  Do not speak and you still get whacked with Nanten's staff."
Shifu Zhang stood up quickly, lifted his cane strongly in defense, and quietly said, "Yunmen's shit stick stinks and Nanten's staff is cracked!  I am leaving now to take my evening walk. Goodbye." 

Taijiquan Cane Weapon Research, Bibliography, and Practices

Way of the Short Staff

Long Staff Weapons Practices 

Dr. Andy Fitz-Gibbon teaches Taijiquan and maintains a blog for the Way of Peace Taijiquan Association.  He is also the Abbot for the Lindisfarne Community in Ithaca, New York.  He is shown performing the Eight Immortals Cane form in the UTube video below. 

  

Tai Chi Chuan Cane

Taiji cane forms are typically performed slowly and deliberately.  Hard and powerful strikes are seldom used in T'ai Chi Ch'uan walking stick forms.  The pace of the Taijiquan cane forms are seldom fast and vigorous.  There are few if any vigorous leaps and jumps.  Taiji forms seldom use very low stances.  Taiji cane forms are particularly suitable for fit persons over 50 years of age.  Good examples of a Taiji Cane Form are: the Standard Beijing 24 Form with Cane created by Master Wen-Ching Wu; the Eight Immortals Cane Form, Part I, created by Master Jesse Tsao;  the Plum Blossom Taiji Cane Form; the Tai Chi Stick 18 Form;  the Bodhi Dharma Walking Stick Form; Master Michael Gilman's Three Powers Cane Form; the Wu Tang Cane Form of Master T.T. Liang; the Standard 32 Sword Form; etc.  

There are also many examples of more vigorous "Taiji" cane forms, with hard strikes, leaps, fast moves, spins, and low moves.  Taijiquan saber or broadsword forms are readily adapted for use with a cane, and some are fast and vigorous.  Normally, Taijiquan sword forms are not very well adapted as cane forms, but I practice the Standard 32 Sword Form with my cane as do many others.  Karate, kung fu, Shaolin, Bagua and HsingI cane or stick forms are often fast, vigorous, powerful, twisting, agile, and with some very low stances.  Of course, when first learning any new cane form, begin with a slower, more deliberate, less vigorous practice to help the body adapt to the moves of the new form.  Thus, even a fast and vigorous cane form from any style can be done more in the "Taiji" fashion outlined and shown above.  

Many Qigong (Chi Kung) forms can also we done while holding a cane.  Adaptations are quite easily arranged.  Most often, however, Qigong forms are adapted or created for use with a short 6"-12" wooden stick called a Tai Chi Ruler or Bang.  

I consider a cane or walking stick to be, normally, a straight strong wooden stick with a curved (hook) handle that is from 30" (76 cm) to 42" (107 cm) long.  The cane will typically extend from the floor to the height of your hip socket and maybe up to your belly button.  The cane might also be made out of plastic, aluminum, steel, or rattan.  The cane might have a straight rather than curved or hooked end with a round ball shaped (pommel) end or some sort of straight or carved handle at the end.  The cane might be very simple, natural and plain; or be carved, painted or decorated.  

Each day I use an Instructor's Walking Cane, 40" (103 cm) long and 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter, purchased from Cane Masters.  This cane weights 1lb, 2 oz (510 gm).  This beautiful martial arts combat cane is made of pure hickory heartwood, has multiple notches at three key gripping points, has a ample rounded hooked horn, and has a rubber covered tip inserted over the tip end.  I also own the same Instructor's Walking Cane made of oak - a gift from my children.  I am 6'6" (198 cm) tall, and a 40" cane (103 cm) is perfect for using on my long walks and for my Taiji cane practices.  The only weapon I practice with on a daily basis is a wooden cane; and the only weapon I teach now in my Taijiquan classes is the cane.  Also, whenever I take a walk, anywhere, I bring my cane along for support, exercising the arms, and for self-defense.     

Taijiquan Cane Weapon Research, Bibliography, and Practices

Way of the Short Staff

Long Staff Weapons Practices 

Coping with the Blues

I found the article "Coping with Depression" from Health Guide to be informative and useful.  One may just have "the blues," and need to apply some self-help suggestions to get back to feeling better.

1.  Reach out and stay connected.
2.  Do things that make you feel good.
3.  Get moving

4.  Eat a healthy, depression fighting diet.
5.  Get a daily dose of sunlight.
6.  Challenge negative thinking

The suggestions on ways to avoid negative thinking are staple recommendations from the Rational Emotive Behavorial Therapy (REBT) school popularized by Dr. Albert Ellis. 

"Come up with a list of things that you can do for a quick mood boost. The more “tools” for coping with depression, the better. Try and implement a few of these ideas each day, even if you’re feeling good. 

Spend some time in nature
List what you like about yourself
Read a good book
Watch a funny movie or TV show
Take a long, hot bath
Take care of a few small tasks
Play with a pet
Talk to friends or family face-to-face
Listen to music
Do something spontaneous"



Ways to Lift Your Spirits, by Mike Garofalo, 9/15/2011, 3 pages PDF format.

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons Compiled by Mike Garofalo.

Chen 19 Form of Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang

I am just beginning my hypertext notebook on the subject.  

Chen Taijiquan 19 Form.  Instructional DVD by Sifu Ken Gullette.  NTSC format, 105 minutes.  Amazon  English language narration with excellent audio track.  Very good video quality.  The form is demonstrated in its entirety from both front and back views.  Sifu Gullette provides detailed instructions for each movement and some coaching of a student.  His descriptions are clear, accurate, and very informative.  VSCL. 

Chen Taijiquan 19 Form: A Detailed Step-by-Step Reference for the Short Beginner's Form of Chen Tai Chi.  EBook by Sifu Ken Gullette.  Internal Fighting Arts, 2013, 250 pages, more than 200 photographs.  Promotional review of EBook.  "With more than 200 photographs and detailed instruction on body mechanics, this book is unlike any Taiji instructional book you've ever seen. It provides a detailed, step-by-step, frame-by-frame reference for the short beginner's form of Chen Tai Chi. A lot of books show a movement, then the next movement, but sometimes, books do not show specifically how to get from one movement to the next. In this book, Ken Gullette shows all the details. The Chen 19 Form takes about 5 minutes to perform. It was designed in 1995 by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, a direct descendant of Tai Chi's creator, Chen Wangting. Grandmaster Chen designed the 19 Form after being asked by students around the world for a shorter form than the 75-movement Laojia Yilu. He based the 19 Form primarily on the longer form. Ken Gullette learned the Chen 19 Form beginning in 1998 from his teachers, Jim and Angela Criscimagna of Rockford, Illinois, and from their teacher, Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, who visited Rockford to teach Chen Taiji workshops. This is the first in a two-part series of e-books. The second volume will teach self-defense applications of the movements in the Chen 19 Form. In this book, Ken shows the movements and reminds you of what is happening inside, including the ground path, spiraling, whole-body movement, peng jin, Dan T'ien rotation, and opening/closing the kua. The book is a companion and reference for Ken's Chen 19 Form DVD, but the book was designed to stand alone as an instructional tool. Ken began studying martial arts in 1973 at the age of 20, inspired by Bruce Lee and the Kung-Fu TV show. It became a way of life. He is a tournament champion, winning trophies from 1974 to 2013, including two National Titles at the 1990 AAU Kung Fu National Championships, and numerous tournament wins for forms, weapons, and sparring. Ken began teaching in 1997 and still teaches a small group of students in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) plus his membership website has members around the world, and he teaches through DVDs and ebooks. Ken is a teacher and a student, always working to get better and passing on what he learns to those who are not as far along the path of internal kung-fu."  - Amazon  Purchase EBook from Amazon for $4.99.  VSCL. 

Chen Taiji Self-Defense, Fighting Applications of the Chen Family Tai Chi 19 Form.  By Sifu Ken Gullette.  Kindle E Book, 2013.  202 pages. 

Chen Taijiquan 19 Short Form  A PDF file that includes detailed descriptions of each movement, 12 pages, 2011.  From Madison Chen Style Taijiquan Studio.

Walking Indoors

The above photograph was taken in November of 2009. 
I was walking along Kilkenny Lane in Red Bluff, California.  

Lately, in November of 2017, I've been doing aerobic exercise indoors by using a combination of treadmill, elliptical, and bicycle machines.  I do this activity five days a week, for 45 to 60 minutes each day.  I stay dry and warm while doing this indoor aerobic exercise activity.  


"Putting facts by the thousands,
into the world, the toes take off
with an appealing squeak which the thumping heel
follows confidentially, the way men greet men.
Sometimes walking is just such elated
pumping."
- Lyn Hejinian, Determination


The Ways of Walking Website

Walking Meditation

Chen Tai Chi Chuan, Old Frame, First Form

Chen Style Taijiquan, Old Frame First Form, Lao Jia Yi Lu
A hypertext notebook by Michael P. Garofalo.  

This webpage includes a detailed bibliography of books, media, and articles.  Extensive selection of Internet links. 
List of movement names in English, Chinese characters, Chinese Pinyin, French, German, and Spanish; and citations for sources of the movement names. 
Detailed list of DVDs and videos available online.
Extensive notes on the author's learning the Old Frame, First Routine, Lao Jia Yi Lu; and on learning Chen Style Taijiquan. 
Record of performance times of this form by many masters. 
Breakdown by sections of the form, with separate lists for each section.  General   information, history, facts, information, pointers, and quotations.  

Tao Te Ching Commentary

Daodejing Commentary, Index, Concordance


Chapter Index to the Tao Te Ching

Concordance to the Tao Te Ching

English Language Versions of the Tao Te Ching - Translator's Index

Spanish Language Versions of the Dao De Jing

Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Bibliography

An Old Philosopher's Notebooks

Cloud Hands Blog Posts About the Daodejing

Tao Te Ching  Chapter Number Index Standard Traditional Chapter Arrangement of the Tao Te ChingChapter Order in Wang Bi's Daodejing Commentary in 246 CE Chart by Mike Garofalo Subject Index
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40
41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50
51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60
61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
71	72	73	74	75	76	77	78	79	80
81

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes up to 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.   

Taijiquan and Virtues

"Perhaps the want of literature addressing heartfulness in the realm of T'ai Chi stems from the very personal nature of the topic.  Our paths are unique, and along these paths each of us may or may not choose to confront our own standards of integrity and morality while exploring our potential for becoming fully realized spiritual/human beings.  For myself, the issues of morality, integrity, empathy, responsibility, respect and appreciation for life, purposefulness, and joy are inextricably woven into the pursuit of martial arts mastery, and particularly so in the case of internal arts such as T'ai Chi.  This is not to say that I consider there to be only one constant standard for any of these qualities, and certainly I do not see myself as the designated arbiter of any such standards.  I do believe, however, that T'ai Chi practitioners have a unique opportunity, and an incentive, to explore and expand their growth.  They can develop heartfulness according to their own individual scope by virtue of T'ai Chi's emphasis on integrative mind/body experience through the discipline of practice.  To me, this only seems congruent with T'ai Chi's alleged potential as a tool for mastery of self."
-  John Loupos, Inside Tai Chi, 2002, p. 74

"Philosophical ideals in the martial arts:

1. To strive for perfection of character
2. To defend the paths of truth
3. To foster the spirit of effort
4. To honor the principles of etiquette
5. To guard against impetuous courage."

- Herman Kauz, The Martial Spirit: An Introduction to the Origin, Philosophy and Psychology of the Martial Arts.

Virtues and the Martial Arts

Virtue Ethics