Banish the Blues

Boost Your Mood, Pick Yourself Up
Revitalize Yourself, Banish the Blues  

Be grateful for the good in your life.
Give yourself permission to be human.
Brighten someone’s day.
Learn something new.
Listen to upbeat music.
Do some exercise on a regular basis.
Simplify your life, remove clutter, and clean.
Go for a walk.
Enjoy sex and discover romance.
Get organized.
Do a good deed or volunteer.
Smile and put on a happy face.
Indulge your senses.
Seek and cultivate beauty.
Take time to breathe deeply.
Look at some old photos.
Focus on the positive.
Forgive yourself.
Get some fresh air.
Eat often and eat light.
Begin a program of meditation or contemplation.
Talk with your physician or counselor. 
Cook and prepare a lovely and tasty meal.
Eat something nutritious like nuts or fruit.
Pamper yourself.
Alter your routines in some way.
Have confidence.
Talk with your spouse.
Fake it till you make it.
Sign a song out loud.
Tap into your creative side.
Take up a mind-body practice like Taijiquan, Qigong or Yoga.
Inhale a calming scent.
Sit quietly, rest, or sleep.
Brainstorm a problem for solutions.
Avoid bad or negative companions, and find good friends.
Watch a good non-violent movie.
Work in the garden.
Cool down strong emotions.
Take some vacation time for relaxation and retreat.
Look on the Bright Side.
Small steps of progress are better than no steps.
Avoid watching the news for a week.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Focus on past successes, not failures.
Create a wish list and make one wish come true.
Explore ways to boost your self-esteem.
Focus on what you can control and what you can change.
Get some more sunlight on your body.
Choose your attitude and how you will react to life's events.
Spend less, avoid shopping.
Stop all cussing, swearing, or rude language.
Keep a journal or express yourself in writing.
Go easy on yourself and yield.
Count your blessings.
Spend some time with children.
Take a long shower or refreshing soaking bath.
Get relevant and accurate information.
Chat with a friendly person or neighbor.
Things change and time heals.
Adapt, adapt, adapt.
Agree to disagree; you don’t need to win every argument. 
Think fast.
Consider vitamin or herbal supplements that lift mood.
Seek professional help for serious mental health problems.
Read something inspiring.
Avoid comparing yourself to others, and envy is a waste of time.
Try praying or chanting.
Evaluate and revise your goals.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Pet your dog or cat and care for them.
Get a massage.
Enjoy a non-competitive sport.
Try fasting or staying up all night.
Donate your stuff, your skills, or your time. 
Forgive and forget.
Dance till you are tired.
Punch a bag or bang on a drum.
Stop using any recreational drugs.
Spend some time with children.
Abandon false ideas and unrealistic aims.
Enjoy a refreshing drink.
Make someone laugh.
Allow yourself to be eccentric, and enjoy some silly thoughts.
Have a bowl of soup or a cup of tea.
Less talking and more doing.
Get up, dress up, and show up.
Observe nature carefully and respectfully.
Visit your public library and borrow some beautiful books.
Be less self-centered and selfish.
A spiritual advisor, rituals, or religious beliefs can sometimes help.
Love expands your horizons of caring and happiness.
Accept the fact that some things are broken and can't be fixed.
Memorize and inspirational saying, prayer, poem or quote.
Call or visit a sick person.
Play a game. 

By Mike Garofalo
Valley Spirit Center
Red Bluff, California  

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Ways to Lift Your Spirits (3 pages, PDF Format)

Virtues and Good Character

Fitness and Well-Being

Tao Te Ching Index and Concordance

Daodejing, Laozi  or Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Indexed by English, Spanish, and Wade-Giles Romanization

Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 20 different English translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 3 Spanish translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, and the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin Romanization of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter.  Each webpage for one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words and terms 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, and other resources for that Chapter.   


  

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

One Old Taoist's Final Journey 


Here is an example of some of the translations and/or interpolations for:

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Daodejing by Laozi

Chapter 10

Here is my indexing of Chapter 10:

English and Chinese (Wade-Giles) Terms:  Physical and Bodily Soul, Chi or Breath or Vital Force (ch'i), Washing or Cleanse (ti), Youthfulness, Mental Clarity, What is Possible, What Can Be Done, Impartiality, Bird, Spontaneity, Wholesome Personality, Kind or Loving or Caring (ai), Separation or Parting (li), Spirit or Soul or Spiritual (ying), Vision or Perception or Insight (lan), Natural Breathing, Close or Shut (ho), One or Unity or Together (yi), Intelligent Activity, Self-Control, Vital Breath, Understanding or Awareness (ming), Cleanse the Mind, Virtue, Leadership, Chi Kung or Qigong, Progress or Advance or Grow (ch'ang), Meditate, Love, Cleansing the Mind, Impurities, Hold or Keep (tsai), People (min), Govern (chih), Country (kuo), Nurturing, Gentle or Tender or Soft (jou), Female, Can or Able to (nêng), Clean or Polish or Wipe (ch'u), Newborn or Infant (ying), Question or "?" Interrogative (hu), Passive, Cleanliness, Cause or Bring About (chih), Cunning or Cleverness (chih), Concentrate or Gather or Focus (chuan), Governing, Embrace or Carry (pao), Faults or Flaws or Blemish (ts'u), Animal Nature or Body or Vitality or Physical Being (p'o), Feed or Nurture (ch'u), Purify, Pure or Clear or Clear Minded (pai), Gate or Door (mên), Dominate or Control (tsai), Without or Free of (wu), Open (k'ai), Mother Bird or Female (tz'u), Four Directions or Four Quarters (ssu), Child or Baby or Innocent (erh), Heaven or Natural (t'ien), Possibilities Through the Dao, Produces or Gives Life (shêng), Without Acti0n (wu wei), Become or Act or Do (wei), Claim or Possess (yu), Profound or Deep or Hidden (hsüan), Virture or Power (tê),  能為   

Términos en Español: Fuerza Vital, Lavado, Limpieza, Juventud, Claridad Mental, ¿Qué es posible, ¿Qué se Puede Hacer, Imparcialidad, Pájaro, Espontaneidad, Personalidad Sana, Amar, Cuidar, Separación, Espíritu, Alma Espiritual, Vision, Percepción, Perspicacia, Respiración Natural, Cerrar, Apagar, Uno, Unidad, Junto, Actividad Inteligente, Autocontrol, Aliento Vital,  Entendimiento, Conciencia, Limpiar la Mente, Virtud, Liderazgo, Progreso, Crecer, Meditar, Impurezas, Mantener, Guardar, Personas, Gobierno, País, Nutrir, Suave, Dócil, Femenino, Puede, Limpie, Polaco, Recién nacido, Lactante, Pregunta, Interrogativo, Pasivo, Causar, Provocar, Astucia, Concentrado, Reunir, Enfoque, Abrazar, Llevar, Fallos, Defectos, Naturaleza Animal, Cuerpo,  Purificar, Puro, Portón, Puerta, Dominar, Mujer, Cuatro Vientos, Niño, Bebé, Inocente, Cielo, Posibilidades, Produce, Vida, Ley, Reclamación, Posser, Profunda, Oculto.  

 

"One can keep the camp whole of the animal soul, by embracing the One alone,

Can bring tenderness by guarding the breath, and be as an infant child,

One can wash and be clean, and, knowing the deep, can be spotless and undefiled,

And, loving the people can rule the land with a rule that is scarcely shown.

Can one not open and close his heavenly gates like a bird on her nest?

When his intellect broadens on every side may its light not remain unknown?

Quickening, feeding, producing, must he still claim the fruit as his own?

To uplift all, and yet rule not, is virtue the deepest and best."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 10 

"Carrying vitality and consciousness, embracing them as one, can you keep from parting?
Concentrating energy, making it supple, can you be like an infant?
Purifying hidden perception, can you make it flawless?
Loving the people, governing the nation, can you be uncontrived?
As the gate of heaven opens and closes, can you be impassive?
As understanding reaches everywhere, can you be innocent?
Producing and developing, producing without possessing, growing without domineering: this is called mysterious power."
-  Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1991, Chapter 10  



"By clinging to the One with both your spiritual and physical souls, can you prevent them from becoming divorced?
By concentrating your breath until you become soft, can you be like an infant?
By cleansing your secret mirror, can you make it without blemish?
In loving the people and ruling a state, can you be without action?
In opening and closing the natural gates, can you be like a hen?
In penetrating the four quarters with your intelligence, can you be without knowledge?"
-  Translated by Jan J. L. Duyvendak, 1954, Chapter 10



"Can you keep the spirit and embrace the One without departing from them?
Can you concentrate your vital force and achieve the highest degree of weakness like an infant?
Can you clean and purify your profound insight so it will be spotless?
Can you love the people and govern the state without cunning?
Can you play the role of the female in the opening and closing of the gates of Heaven?
Can you understand all and penetrate all without taking any action?
To produce things and to rear them,
To produce, but not to take possession of them,
To act, but not to rely on one's own ability,
To lead them, but not to master them.
This is called profound and secret virtue."
-  Translated by Chan Wing-Tsit, 1953, Chapter 10  



載營魄, 抱一能無離乎?
專氣致柔, 能嬰兒乎?
滌除玄覽, 能無疵乎?
愛民治國, 能無知乎?
天門開闔, 能為雌乎?
明白四達, 能無知乎?
生之畜之.
生而不有.
為而不恃.
長而不宰.
是謂玄德.
-  Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 10


tsai ying p'o, pao yi nêng wu li hu?
chuan ch'i chih jou, nêng ying erh hu?
ti ch'u hsüan lan, nêng wu tz'u hu?
ai min chih kuo, nêng wu chih hu?
t'ien mên k'ai ho, nêng wei tz'u hu? 
ming pai ssu ta, nêng wu wei hu?
shêng chih ch'u chih.
shêng erh pu yu.
wei erh pu shih.
ch'ang erh pu tsai.
shih wei hsüan tê.
-  Wade-Giles (1892) Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 10



 
"creative spirit
vital soul
wondrous bodymind
can you combine these into one phase
and gently hold onto it
one phase one part one moment
can you commune with
and direct the elemental force of life
and enter into the rebirth of gentleness
and be like a newborn 
can you wash and cleanse your mystic inner vision
while clearing it of the refuse left behind you
     ordinary sight
is it possible for you to stay out of your own way
while being your own leader
can you stomp the earth
look to the heavens while being receptive
passive
possessed of quietude
can you be knowledgeable and clever
and regard it as whimsical 
create and nourish
let all creation be the worlds
not your own
have fun when you work
work when you have fun
be a leader without appearing to be
and you will personify fine uncarved wood
in the hands of a master carpenter
can you guess who this master is."
-  Translated by John Bright-Fey, 2006, Chapter 10



"Unir cuerpo y mente en un conjunto
del que no puedan disociarse.
Equilibrar el Chi hasta hacerlo
tan armónico como el de un recién nacido.
Purificar la vision interna hasta
dejarla libre de todo vicio.
Querer al pueblo y gobernar la nación
practicando el Wu-Wei.
Abrir y cerrar las puertas del cielo
siendo como la Mujer Misteriosa.
Conocer y comprenderlo todo
usar la inteligencia.
Engendrar y criar,
Alimentar y educar
engendrar sin apropiarse,
obrar sin pedir nada a cambio,
guiar sin dominar,
esta es la Gran Virtud."
-  Translation from Wikisource, 2013,  Capítulo 10


"Can you hold the door of your tent
Wide to the firmament?
Can you, with the simple stature
Of a child, breathing nature,
Become, notwithstanding,
A man?
Can you continue befriending
With no prejudice, no ban?
Can you, mating with heaven,
Serve as the female part?
Can your learned head take leaven
From the wisdom of your heart?
If you can bear issue and nourish its growing,
If you can guide without claim or strife,
If you can stay in the lead of men without their knowing,
You are at the core of life."
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 10 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Day 2024

Best wishes for a peaceful and happy day to all.

Eight Treasures and Lohan Hands Qigong

Lately, I have been reading books that discuss Shaolin Qigong methods.  The exercises in the 18 Lohan Shaolin Qigong overlap with many in the Eight Section Brocade.  I have been adding movement sequences from the beautifully color illustrated book by Shifu Shi Yan Ming of New York.
I added a few new Swinging Arms exercises to my routine.  

The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way.  By Sifu Shi Yan Ming. Rodale Press, 2006. Index, 293 pages. ISBN: 1594864004.  VSCL. 

18 Exercises to Help You Live a Longer, Healthier, and Happier Life.  By Marcus Santer.  193 pages, 2020, Kindle EBook.  VSCL.

Shaolin Qi Gong: Energy in Motion.  By Shi Qinggui.  160 pages, 2008.  VSCL.  Includes DVD.

Shaolin Temple Qigong  By Michael P. Garofalo

Qigong Practices  By Michael P. Garofalo

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment.   By Wong, Kiew Kit.  Charles E. Tuttle, 2002.  215 pages. ISBN: 0804834393.  VSCL. 

Here is a Blog repost of mine from May 2014 about the Eight Treasures Qigong:

I frequently teach the Chinese Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung exercise and fitness routine in my Taijiquan class and my Yoga class.  Naturally, I include many comments about Shaolin and Daoist fitness and healthy living concepts. 

This Eight Treasures exercise and fitness routine has a varied and long history with ancient roots back to the Animal Frolics Dao-yin exercises of 300 CE.  Some of the Eight Treasures exercises involve toughening, courage, and fighting and were used in military exercise and conditioning drills.  Many versions of the Ba Duan Jin include 12 exercises or more.   

One recent book that provides good documentation on the history of Chinese exercise practices (Chi Kung, Qigong, Neigong), including five illustrated versions of the Eight Section Brocade, is:  

An Illustrated Handbook of Chinese Qigong Forms from the Ancient Texts  Complied by Li Jingwei and Zhu Jianping.  London, Singing Dragon, 2014.  No index or bibliography, 325 pages.  ISBN: 9781848191976.  Many excellent line drawings are included to illustrate the postures.  VSCL. 
 
Back in 2002, I created the webpage titled:  The Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung.
  

The Ba Duan Jin Qigong form includes eight basic exercises to help you keep limber, become stronger, improve your balance, and increase your stamina.  There are opportunities for squatting movements and postures to strengthen the legs.  

  The entire Eight Beautiful Tapestries Chi Kung form is normally done while standing, although there are some versions done in a seated posture for meditative purposes or for frail persons. 

There are numerous versions of this popular Chi Kung form.  There are many good books, instructional DVDs, and UTube videos to choose from on this topic.  My webpage includes a long bibliography on the Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung with citations for resources, links, videos, books, and instructional DVDs on the subject.  

  I make a number of comments about each of the eight movements, including comments about the movement variations, physical training targets, muscles worked, attitude, internal alchemy (Neidan), benefits, options, comparisons with yoga asanas, and breathing patterns.  

 

I offer my own version with fairly detailed comments on each of the eight movements.  Here is my one page class handout for the Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung class.  


"The name “Ba Duan Jin” has been found as early as the Northern Song Dynasty. According to Hong Mai's (洪邁) Yi Jian Zhi (夷堅志, Song Dynasty), Zhenghe Seventh Year, Emperor's Chief Secretary, Li Shi-Ju, lived a simple life.  He spent a large portion of his time in his mediation room practicing Daoist Monk’s exercises expanding like a bear and stretching like a bird. In the early hours, he is often found breathing and massaging, practicing the so-called Eight-Section Brocade (Ba Duan Jin). This passage reveals that Ba Duan Jin has been developed and practiced since the Song Dynasty as a general health-keeping regime. 
    Both sitting and standing forms have been found in the history of Ba Duan Jin (八段錦),. Standing forms were developed into two schools (northern and southern styles) in the Qing Dynasty. The Northern School, said to have been passed down by Yue Fei (岳飛), has tougher forms, and the Southern School, claimed the lineage from Liang Shi-Chang (梁世昌), focuses on softer trainings. Quite a few verses has been passed down during the period from Song Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, but all verses for the standing forms have evolved from the passages recorded in "The Chapter of Wonders, Pivot of Dao" (道樞·眾妙篇, Dao Shu, Zong Miao Pian, Song Dynasty) and verses of the sitting style from the forms recorded in "TheTen Books of Daoist Practices" (修真十書 Xiu Zhen Shi Shu, Ming Dynasty ).  or "The Methods of Curing"(活人心法, Huo Ren Xin Fa, Ming Dynasty). Sets Ba Duan Jin forms are not always limited to the number of eight. The number of forms in a set range from a single form to tens or as many as a hundred; nevertheless, they are all exercise regimes designed for health-keeping, preventive, and therapeutic purposes, and, liberally saying, all exercise regimes designed for such purposes are part of the Ba Duan Jin system."
-   Lee Chang-Chih,  A Brief Introduction to Ba Daun Jin.  "Reinterpreting Ba Duan Jing From the Theories of the Eight Extra Meridians" 2005 

Ten Steps to Failure

 Ten Steps You Can Take to Guarantee Failure

"1. Make your goals vague.
2. Make your goals difficult to visualize.
3. Think and speak negatively about your goals.
4. Avoid planning incremental steps.
5. Don't Do - Talk.
6. Wait until you are motivated.
7. Don't set a date.
8. List why it's impossible.
9. Don't research your goal.
10. Think of anything except your goal."

Achieve It: Ten Steps You Can Take to Guarantee Failure

Heart-Mind Connections

 "Research in the relatively new discipline of neuro-cardiology has confirmed that the heart is a sensory organ and acts as a sophisticated information encoding and processing center that enables it to learn, remember, and make independent functional decisions that do not involve the cerebral cortex. Additionally, numerous studies have demonstrated that patterns of cardiac signals to the brain affect autonomic regulatory centers and higher brain centers involved in perception and emotional processing.\."
-  Thomas R. Verny, M.D., The Embodied Mind, Pegasus Books, 2021, p. 125.

"Common Heart Expressions

Follow your heart.
He had a big heart.
If you find it in your heart.
My heartfelt sympathies on you loss.
Wear one's heart on one's sleeve.
He died of a broken heart.
His heart is in the right place.
Eat your heart out.
She was a lighthearted person.
She had a change of heart.
Her heart was not in it.
He has a heart of gold.
He was a heartless villain.
A bleeding heart.
A faint heart.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
With an aching heart.
She is all heart.
Open one's heart to.
Pour open's heart out to.
With a heavy heart."

-  Thomas R. Verny, M.D., The Embodied Mind, Pegasus Books, 2021, p. 116, and Mike Garofalo.

"Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts.  This is the secret of success."
- Swami Sivananda

"Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout."
- Morihei Ueshiba

"A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge."
Thomas Carlyle

Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Nei Gung, and Yoga Masters all mention the role of our hearts and lungs in our brief lives.  

Chinese medical theorists and martial artists (Heart-Mind Boxing) point to the Heart or Middle Dantian or Hsing-Ming (Heart-Mind) as a locus for energy and consciousness. Breathing techniques involving the lungs is also a constant point of emphasis.

"The nearest equivalent to the English term for mind in the classical period is xin 心, which originated as a picture of the heart in human beings and animals and directs body’s behavior. Since ethical guidance in Chinese thought arises from both the cognitive function of the mind and the affective states attributed to the heart, xin is frequently translated as “heart-mind”. This translation will be used here. The xin is credited with thinking si 思, understanding míng 明, knowing zhi 知, intention zhi 志, felt moods and/or emotions qing 情, and desire yu 欲. Xin plays a central role in Chinese ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics; and philosophical disputes often turn on how different schools or Masters portray the role of xin. How it arrives at ethical guidance is a central point of contention between those who treat the guidance as internal (Mengzi) to those who treat xin as navigating an external normative structure and those who advocate emptying or ignoring the xin and taking guidance from some other organ or authority."
Mind (Heart-Mind) in Chinese Philosophy

I have more doubts about the efficacy of the Lower Dan Tien, and its role as an energy source, reservoir, and generator.  See my post titled:
Dantian: A Baffling Legacy.  The area below and behind our belly button is primarily used for digestion, elimination, the female reproductive organs (womb), and some big muscles involved with leg movement and balancing. Digestion is critical for life and has its own biochemistry and automatic functioning.  However, A TCM "Dantian" is invisible and undetectable to modern medical anatomy.

I've never heard any Chi Kung or Tai Chi Chuan teacher talk about sending Chi energy from the heart and lungs out to the arms, hand, legs, feet, or brain; or Chi energy circulation to and from the Middle Dantian or Heart area. This seems remiss to me.  

I have heard both taijiquan and qigong teachers talk about their large bellies as the Dantian source of their power and a chi resovoir.  Men don't have a womb for reproduction, but I guess they envy a woman's power.  People who eat too much and don't exercise, as they age, accumulate fat: men morso in the abdomen and women in the hips. Since the lower Dantian is invisible and non-existent, people can still imagine what they want to imagine about "It" as with other supernatural entities.  

Heart and vascular diseases are the highest cause of death in the world. Far fewer die of kidney or bowel or excretory diseases.  If your heart or lungs fail you die quickly.  If your lower intestine is diseased you die far less quickly.  The heart and lungs never rest; but, you can live a week without water and a month without food. Which is more important to immediate good health and life?  

Yoga masters and Indian doctors speak about the Heart Charkra (Anhata) in a similar way. Yoga practitioners practice a variety of breathing exercises (Pranayama). 

"The middle dantian is located at the center of the chest and is most closely related to the heart chakra, or Anahata. It’s associated with the thymus gland and is considered to be the seat of qi.  “Qi is more subtle and less dense of an energy than jing, and as you elevate through the dantians, you also evolve through the purity of consciousness and subtlety of energy, just like you would in looking at the chakras,” says Soffer. “Qi, like prana, is as ubiquitous in the body as it is in nature. It’s the basis of form and function for universal energy.” According to practitioners, the middle dantian is the spark of all living things. The energy in this dantian is considered unique when compared with the other two. “The energy here is created from the food and fluids we consume and the air we breathe, and is appropriately located around the upper abdomen, where we consume, digest, and distribute energy throughout the body,” explains Ali Vander Baan, a licensed acupuncturist and founder of Yintuition Wellness in Boston. According to Soffer, when a person’s essence (jing) is properly cultivated, their life force rises to support the middle dantian and the opening of the heart. “This is a common occurrence on the path of enlightenment, to become open-hearted, loving, compassionate, and a source of good for the world around you,” explains Soffer."
- What are Dantian

When I teach Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, Nei Gong, and Yoga I place much more emphasis on strengthening the heart, improving the functioning of the heart, using the emotional-mental aspects of the heart, having the heart and desire for training, having a big and kind heart, and heartfelt understanding; and proper breathing methods and exercises. Sending energy from the heart and lungs to all parts of our body via blood and the circulatory system is my focus.  Blood and nerves transmissions seem a more understandable anatomical and physiological concept to me.  I place little or no emphasis upon the Lower Dantian except for centering and balance in the lower back and hip areas. 

Ling Gu "Miraculous Bone" Acupressure Technique

    "Perhaps the most famous, and one of the most commonly used points of Tung Ching Ch'ang's (1916-1975) system is Ling Gu.  The name 'Ling Gu' literally means 'miraculous bone,' and without a doubt the effectiveness of Ling Gu is extraordinary.  Ling Gu is located on the back of the hand in the space between the thumb and first finger, as far back as possible at the junction of the metacarpal bones.  It is in a similar location to the conventional point He Gu LI-4, but is located closer to the wrist than He Gu. 
     In Chinese medical terms, Ling Gu frees the channels and quickens the network vessels (luo mai), clears and regulates Lung qi, frees and descends the Stomach and intestines, frees the qi and disperses stasis.  Since it has a very strong moving function it is a main point to treat many types of pain.  However, because of its strong moving function it should not be used on pregnant women.
     The list of conditions the Ling Gu point treats includes migraine, low back pain, sciatica, facial paralysis, hemiplegia (e.g., paralysis after stroke), tinnitus, deafness, menstrual disorders (irregular, scanty, profuse, absent), frequent urination, incontinence, foot pain, intestinal pain, and breathing difficulties.  I usually recommend this point for home acupressure treatment in patients with any type of headache, low back pain, sciatica or leg pain. 
     To stimulate the point, press deep into the hand using the thumb of the opposite hand.  Pressure should be strong enough to feel a numbing or aching sensation deep in the point.  Hold the pressure for several seconds and then release.  Repeat several times for the next minute or two.  Remember to stimulate the point on the opposite side of where the pain is felt.  The, be sure move the area of the pain (the Moving Qi technique).  For example, to treat right-sided back or leg pain, press into the left Ling Gu.  At the same time bend and stretch the low back, or move the leg that is painful.  Repeat this stimulation several times per day or as needed."
 -  Henry McCann, DAOM, LAc, "Tung Lineage Classical Acupuncture," Qi: the Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness, Volume 25, No. 1, Spring, 2015, pp. 26-33.


Self Massage and Acupressure

Qigong and Healing

Hand, Touching, Haptics

  

Outstanding Defense, Girl's Soccer, Skyview High School, 2024

Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team, 2024

Skyview Final Record: 13-2-3;  62 Goals Scored; 11Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!

Conference: 5-0-1   4A Greater St. Helens League Undefeated Champions

Key Skyview Defenders

Defenders Playing All the Game and Every Game
Brynnlee Williams, Junior, Goalie #00
Makenna Flinn, Junior, Center Defender #16
Quinn Lundy, Junior, Wing Defender #19

All the coaches in the Greater St. Helens League voted for the best players in the League:

Brynnlee Williams., Goalie, Junior, voted to be the Best Defensive Player of the Year
Makenna Flinn, Center Defender, Junior, was voted to be on the League's First Team
Quinn Lundy, Wing Defender, Junior, voted to be on the Leagues First Team

The Skyview Coach, Matt Houghton, was voted the Coach of the Year!

Dea Covarrubias, Forward/Striker, Senior, was voted Offensive Player of the Year.

Some other hardworking Skview players were also given recognition in the voting. See Below!

Information: Columbia Newspaper, Vancouver, WA

#19 Quinn Lundy, Junior
#16 Makenna Flinn, Junior
Skyview Defenders

Makenna Flinn
Center Defender
#16

Brynnlee Williams, #00, Goalie
Best Defender in the League

Dea Corrubias, #5 and Brinnlee Williams #00

Skyview Girls Varsity Soccer Team in 2024

4A Greater St. Helens League Outstanding Players in 2024

All-league team as selected by league coaches:

Offensive player of the year: Dea Covarrubias, Senior,  Skyview, #5

Defensive player of the year: Brynlee Williams, Junior, Skyview, #00

FIRST TEAM

Quinn Lundy, Junior, Defender, Skyview

Ella Tyger, sr., def, Union

Abigail Doyle, sr., def, Camas

Isabella Brenes, sr., def, Battle Ground

MaKenna Flinn, Junior, Defender, Skyview

Paige Curl, jr., mid, Camas

Scotland Crooks, Senior, Midfielder, Skyview

Saige McCusker, sr., mid, Camas

Rachael “Roo” Houston, sr., fwd, Camas

Ava Krieger, sr., fwd, Union

Mya Ellertson, Junior, Forward, Skyview

SECOND TEAM

GK: Rhiannon Teasley, sr., Camas; Natalie Grajeda, jr., Camas; DEF: Marisa Peterson, jr., Union; Lauryn Cornelius, fr., Skyview; McKenzie Enright, sr., Battle Ground; Diya Friedeman, so., Camas; MID: Marissa Loveall, sr., Battle Ground; Reese Harrison, so., Skyview; Guadalupe Gutierrez, so., Union; FWD: Avery Peterson, so., Skyview; Kaliyah Salley, fr., Camas; Haleigh Miller, jr., Union.

Coach of the year: Matt Houghton, Skyview

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 9

Daodejing, Laozi
Chapter 9


"It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full.
If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.
When wealth and honors lead to arrogance, this brings its evil on itself.
When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished,
To withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 9 



"Holding to fullness
Is not as good as stopping in time.
Sharpness that probes
Cannot protect for long.
A house filled with riches
Cannot be defended.
Pride in wealth and position
Is overlooking one's collapse.
Withdrawing when success is achieved
Is the Tao in Nature."
-  Translated by R. L. Wing, 1986, Chapter 9  


 
"You hold to fullness, and it is better to stop in time!
You keep on beating and sharpening a sword, and the edge cannot be preserved   for long.
You fill your house with gold and jade, and it can no longer be guarded.
You put on airs by your riches and honor, and you will only reap a crop of calamities.
Here is the Way of Heaven: When you have done your work, retire."
-  Translated by Tran Tien Cong, Chapter 9 


 

  "Do not concentrate one's wealth in abundance.
It is far better for one to know where to stop.
Do not beat one's sword sharp, one can never keep its edge for ever.
If their houses are full of gold and jade, they have no way to keep them forever.
If they are proud of having great riches and honors, they just make more troubles for themselves.
When merits have been achieved, fame has been completed - one may withdraw himself.
That is to follow the law of Nature."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 9



"It is advisable to refrain from continual reaching after wealth.
Continual handling and sharpening wears away the most durable thing.
If the house be full of jewels, who shall protect it?
Wealth and glory bring care along with pride.
To stop when good work is done and honour advancing is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 9  



"Continuing to fill a pail after it is full the water will be wasted.
Continuing to grind an axe after it is sharp will soon wear it away.
Who can protect a public hall crowded with gold and jewels?
The pride of wealth and position brings about their own misfortune.
To win true merit, to preserve just fame, the personality must be retiring.
This is the heavenly Dao."
-  Translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, 1919, Chapter 9 

  

持而盈之, 不如其已.
揣而銳之, 不可長保.
金玉滿堂莫之能守富貴而驕, 自遺其咎.
功遂身退天之道.
-  Chinese characters, Chapter 9, Tao Te Ching



"Let Heavenly Love fill you and overflow in you,
Not according to your measure of fullness.
Prove it, probe deeply into it,
It shall not long withstand you.
You may fill a place with gold and precious stones,
You will not be able to guard them.
You may be weighted with honors and become proud.
Misfortune then will come to your Self.
You may accomplish great deeds and acquire fame,
Retire yourself;
This is Heavenly Tao."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 9 


"Stretch a bow to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time;
Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest,
And you will find it soon grows dull.
When bronze and jade fill your hall.
It can no longer be guarded.
Wealth and place breed insolence.
That brings ruin in its train.
When your work is done, then withdraw!
Such is Heaven's Way."
-  Translated by Arthur Waley, 1934, Chapter 9  


"Asir fuertemente y colmar
 Vale menos que dejar de hacerlo.
 Calcular y afilar las armas
 No significa que se prolongue su cuidado.
 Atiborrar la gran sala de oro y jade
 Y no habrá quien pueda custodiarlos.
 Ser rico y orgulloso.
 Quizás perderse a sí mismo sea la desgracia.
 Cuando la obra se completa y la persona se retira,
 Ése es el Tao del Cielo."
 -  Translated by Álex Ferrara, 2003, Capítulo 9


"Going to extremes is never best.
For if you make a blade too sharp, it will become dull too quickly
And if you hoard all the wealth, you are bound to be attacked.
If you become proud and arrogant regarding your good fortune, you will naturally beget enemies who jealously despise you.
The way to success is this: having achieved your goal, be satisfied not to go further. For this is the way Nature operates."
-  Translated by Archie J. Balm, 1958, Chapter 9 



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. 

  
Chapter 9, 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 Daoist Druid's Final Journey  

An Old Philosopher's Notebooks

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Girls High School Soccer, Washington State 4A Tournament Playoffs, Quarterfinals

Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team, 2024

Record: 13-1-3;  62 Goals Scored; 9 Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!
Conference: 5-0-1  More Information

Issaquah Record: 12-9-2  Information

Playoff Brackets Information

Washington State Girl's High School Soccer Championship Games 2024

November 16, 2024, 7 pm, Kiggins Bowl Stadium, Vancouver, WA

Skyview High School vs Issaquah High School Girl's Soccer Game

Issaquah defeated Skyview, 3-0.

Skyview Final Record: 13-2-3;  62 Goals Scored; 11Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!
Conference: 5-0-1   4A St. George League Undefeated Champions

Makenna Flinn, Center Defender, #16
Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA
4A St. George League
Makenna Flinn was voted by St. George League coaches to be the
League's First Team Center Defender

#19 Quinn Lundy
#16 Makenna Flinn
Skyview Defenders

Makenna Flinn
Center Defender
#16

Key Skyview Defenders
Playing All the Game and Every Game
Brinlee Williams, Goalie #00
Makenna Flinn, Center Defender #16
Quinn Lundy, Wing Defender #19

Skyview Girls Soccer Varsity Team 2024

Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team
Record: 12-1-3;  58 Goals Scored; 8 Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!
Conference: 5-0-1  Information

Puyallup High School, Payallup, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team
Record of  11-5-2

Washington State Girl's High School Soccer Championship Games 2024

November 13, 2024, 6 pm, Kiggins Bowl Stadium, Vancouver, WA

Skyview High School vs Puyallup High School Girl's Soccer Game

Skyview High School Won this Game 4-1.
Record: 13-1-3;  62 Goals Scored; 9 Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!

Columbia Newspaper, Vancouver, WA, Game Report by Will Denner

Skyview Defenders
Quinn Lundy #16
Makenna Flinn #19

Makenna Flinn
Center Defender
#16

Key Skyview Defenders
Playing All the Game and Every Game
Brinlee Williams, Goalie #00
Makenna Flinn, Center Defender #16
Quinn Lundy, Wing Defender #19

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8

Dao De Jing, Laozi
Chapter 8

"The seer flows like water
Lying low along the way
Nourishing whatever comes
To be held on display

The seer keeps to simple ways
And therefore is content
When joy or sorrow manifests
To give complete assent

If you can clearly be yourself
And never rise to interfere
Everyone will cherish you
And always hold you dear"
-  Translated by Jim Clatfelder, 2000, Chapter 8



"A person with superior goodness (shan) is like water,
Water is good in benefiting (li) all beings,
Without contending (cheng) with any.
Situated in places shunned (o) by many others,
Thereby it is near (chi) Tao.
(Such a person's) dwelling is the good earth,
(His/her) mind (hsin) is the good deep water (yuan),
(His/her) associates are good kind people (jen),
(His/her) speech shows good trust (hsin),
(His/her) governing is the good order,
(His/her) projects (shih) are carried out by good talents (neng),
(His/her) activities (tung) are good in timing.
Because he does not contend (pu cheng) with any,
He commits no wrong."
-  Translated by Ellen Marie Chen, 1989, Chapter 8

"The highest good is like water.
Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.
No fight: No blame."
-  Translated by Gai-fu Feng and Jane English, 1989, Chapter 8 

"The highest goodness that we know has water for its type,

It benefits all things, yet ever flows

To the spot which men disdain, the gutter and the plain,

And so is near the Tao, its archetype.

A residence is excellent according to its place,

A heart for eddies passion never knows,

Generosity for kindness, words for faithfulness,

A government for order, business for its gain,

And movements for their timeliness and grace.

As the man of excellence does not quarrel for his place,

There are none to find fault with him for the places which remain."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 8

"Perfect excellence is like gentle water.
Gentle water benefits all things and yet it does not struggle.
Do away with what all people hate.
Thus this is approaching Dao.
Give to what is of perfect personnel.
Stay in a perfect place,
think in a perfect way,
cooperate with perfect people,
speak perfect truth,
govern in perfect order,
work for perfect potentiality,
move when the time is perfect.
Because of non-struggle, therefore, there is no blame."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 8


上善若水.
水善利萬物而不爭.
處衆人之所惡.
故幾於道.
居善地心善淵.
與善仁.
言善信.
正善治.
事善能.
動善時.
夫唯不爭, 故無尤.-  Chinese characters, Chapter 8, Tao Te Ching 


 shang shan ruo shui.
 shui shan li wan wu er bu zheng.
 chu zhong ren zhi suo wu.
 gu ji yu dao.
 ju shan di xin shan yuan.
 yu shan ren.
 yan shan xin.
 zheng shan zhi.
 shi shan neng.
 dong shan shi.
 fu wei bu zheng, gu wu you.
 -  Pinyin Romanization, Chapter 8, Daodejing
  

"The best way to life is to be like water
For water benefits all things and goes against none of them
It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go
In this way it is just like Tao
Live in accordance with the nature of things
Build your house on solid ground
Keep your mind still
When giving, be kind
When speaking, be truthful
When ruling, be just
When working, be one-pointed
When acting, remember, timing is everything
One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things
He moves in harmony with the present moment always knowing the truth of just what to do"
-  Translated by Johathan Star, 2001, Chapter 8 

"The highest form of goodness is like water.
Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them.
It stays in places loathed by all men.
Therefore, it comes near the Tao.
In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to  the ground.
In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in  the hidden deeps.
In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind.
In speaking, know how to keep your words.
In governing, know how to maintain order.
In transacting business, know how to be efficient.
In making a move, know how to choose the right  moment.
If you do not strive with others,
You will be free from blame."
-  Translated by John C. H. Wu, 1961, Chapter 8 

"El hombre de bondad superior es como el agua.
 El agua en su quietud favorece a todas las cosas,
 ocupa el lugar despreciado por los hombres,
 y así está cerca del dao.
 Su lugar es favorable;
 su corazón, sereno;
 su don, del agrado del cielo;
 su palabra, leal;
 su gobierno, en orden;
 en sus empresas, capaz;
 sus movimientos, oportunos.
 Sólo la falta de quietud
 impide la superación."
 -  Translated by Juan Ignacio Preciado, 1978, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 8  

"Heavenly Love is like water.
Water blesses all things,
It does not hurt them.
It loves the lowly place that men dislike,
Therefore it comes very near to Tao.
The Master loves to dwell upon the earth.
In his heart he loves Infinity,
In his benevolence he loves giving,
In his words he loves sincerity,
In his government he loves peace,
In his business affairs he loves ability,
In his movements he loves punctuality.
The Master, indeed, does not fight,
Therefore his Inner Life increases."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 8 

"Highest good is like water.
Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures
    without contending with them and settles where none would like to be,
    it comes close to the way.
In a home it is the site that matters;
In quality of mind it is depth that matters;
In an ally it is benevolence that matters;
In speech it is good faith that matters;
In government it is order that matters;
In affairs it is ability that matters;
In action it is timeliness that matters.
It is because it does not contend that it is never at fault."

-  Translated by D. C. Lau, 1963, Chapter 8  

"The highest excellence is like that of water.
 The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying,
 Without striving to the contrary, the low place which all men dislike.
 Hence its way is near to that of the Tao.
 The excellence of a residence is in the suitability of the place;
 That of the mind is in abysmal stillness;
 That of associations is in their being with the virtuous;
 That of government is in its securing good order;
 That of the conduct of affairs is in its ability; and,
 That of the initiation of any movement is in its timeliness.
 And when one with the highest excellence does not wrangle about his low position,
 No one finds fault with him."

 -  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 8


"The foremost goodness is like water.
Water is good at benefiting all living things,
even though there are arguments about how it could reside
in places that most people hate.
In that way it is very close to being like Dao.
It is good at residing in the earth; the mind sees that goodness as bottomless.
It is good at giving through nature; words express that goodness with sincerity.
It is good at showing the right course of governing.
It is good at enabling all work to be completed;
through motion goodness adjusts to the time.
Well then, there is really no reason for arguments.
Because there is nothing that is at fault."
-  Translated by Nina Correa, 2005, Chapter 8  

  

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 8, 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 Daoist Druid's Final Journey  

An Old Philosopher's Notebooks

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

“The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life,” 2017, by Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh.

“Tao: The Watercourse Way,” 1977, by Alan Watts and Al Chung-liang Huang.  Illustrated by Lee Chih-chang.