Walking and Thinking

"What is it about walking, in particular, that makes it so amenable to thinking and writing? The answer begins with changes to our chemistry. When we go for a walk, the heart pumps faster, circulating more blood and oxygen not just to the muscles but to all the organs—including the brain. Many experiments have shown that after or during exercise, even very mild exertion, people perform better on tests of memory and attention. Walking on a regular basis also promotes new connections between brain cells, staves off the usual withering of brain tissue that comes with age, increases the volume of the hippocampus (a brain region crucial for memory), and elevates levels of molecules that both stimulate the growth of new neurons and transmit messages between them.

The way we move our bodies further changes the nature of our thoughts, and vice versa. Psychologists who specialize in exercise music have quantified what many of us already know: listening to songs with high tempos motivates us to run faster, and the swifter we move, the quicker we prefer our music. Likewise, when drivers hear loud, fast music, they unconsciously step a bit harder on the gas pedal. Walking at our own pace creates an unadulterated feedback loop between the rhythm of our bodies and our mental state that we cannot experience as easily when we’re jogging at the gym, steering a car, biking, or during any other kind of locomotion. When we stroll, the pace of our feet naturally vacillates with our moods and the cadence of our inner speech; at the same time, we can actively change the pace of our thoughts by deliberately walking more briskly or by slowing down."
-  Ferris Jabr, Why Walking Helps Us Think

Walking - Quotations, Sayings, Comments

The Wonderful Hands of Tai Chi

Tai Chi's "Wonderful Hand."
Chang Cheung-hsing's "Message of His Discovery of the General Theory of Tai Chi Ch'uan."

"Totally Yin with Yang is "Soft Hand".
Totally Yang without Yin is "Hard Hand".
10% Yin with 90% Yang is "Hard Rod Hand".
20% Yin with 80% Yang is "Combat Hand".
30% Yin with 70% Yang is "Rigid Hand".
40% Yin with 60% Yang may be classified as "Good Hand".
Only 50% Yang beautifully matched with 50% Yin, without being partial to either Yin or Yang, is regarded as "Wonderful Hand".
The execution of "Wonderful Hand: is an expression of Tai Chi.
When all images and forms are completely neutralized, things once again return to their original state of "nothingness." "
- Cloud Hands, Inc. Tai Chi Chuan: The Technique of Power, p 75. By Cloud Hands Inc., 2003. 290 pages. ISBN: 0974201308. VSCL.

My teacher, Sifu Knack, once spoke of "Blood Hand." It is when you punch so hard that the blood of your opponent is on your fist.


Hands, Touching, Grasping

Push Hands in Tai Chi Chuan

Internal Cultivation: Bai Zi Bei

Bai Zi Bei
The Hundred Character Tablet

By Lu Dongbin
Translated by Jill Gonet, MFA
Qi Magazine, 2017, Volume 27, No. 3, p.44-51
"Guidance and Instruction on Internal Cultivation by Lu Donbin"

"To nourish the vital breath, keep watch in silence;
In order to subdue the mind, act with non-action.
Of movement and stillness, be aware of their origin;
There is no work to do, much less someone to seek.
The true and consistent must respond to phenomena;
Responding to phenomenon, you must be unconfused.
When unconfused, the nature will stabilize by itself;
When the nature stabilizes, energy returns by itself.
When energy returns, the elixir crystallizes by itself;
Within the pot, the trigrams of water and fire are joined.
Yin and yang arise, alternating over and over again;
Every transformation comes like a clap of thunder.
White clouds form and com to assemble at the peak;
Sweet nectar sprinkles down Mount Sumeru.
Swallowing for yourself this wine of immortality,
You wander so freely - who is able to know you?
Sit and listen to the tune played without strings,
Clearly understanding the mechanism of creation.
It comes entirely from these twenty lines;
A true ladder going straight to Heaven!"



"Nurturing energy, forget words and guard it.
Conquer the mind, do non-doing.
In activity and quietude, know the source progenitor.
There is no thing; whom else do you seek?
Real constancy should respond to people;
In responding to people, it is essential not to get confused.
When you don't get confused, your nature is naturally stable;
When your nature is stable, energy naturally returns.
When energy returns, Elixir spontaneously crystallizes,
In the pot pairing water and fire.
Yin and yang arise, alternating over and over again,
Everywhere producing the sound of thunder.
White clouds assemble on the summit,
Sweet dew bathes the polar mountain.
Having drunk the wine of longevity,
You wander free; who can know you?
You sit and listen to the stringless tune,
You clearly understand the mechanism of creation.
The whole of these twenty verses
is a ladder straight to heaven."
- Master Chang San-Feng
  100 Character Tablet, Translated by Thomas Cleary

Taoist and Buddhist Classics

Tai Chi Chuan Classics

A Positive Path in Old Age

Seven Strategies for Positive Aging

1. You can find meaning in old age.
2. You're never to old to learn.
3. You can use the past to cultivate wisdom.
4. You can strengthen life-span relationships.
5. You can promote growth through giving and receiving help.
6. You can forgive yourself and others.
7. You can possess a grateful attitude.

- Robert T. Hill, Ph.D., Seven Strategies for Positive Aging, 2008

Aging Well: Quotes, Bibliography, Notes, Links, Suggestions   

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

"Do, Don't Stew." -  Dr. Albert Ellis

Smile while you are still around.

Knowing Things Through Touching

One has eyes everywhere and knows things through touching.


"Even if one becomes blind one can still use the hands to touch the nose.
One has eyes everywhere and knows things through touching.
This is the spirit of one's heart, containing the heaven's and earth.
One can see without eyes and listen without ears.
If one is able to calm down and not be agitated by desires,
one can know that one can return to the place where one comes from."
-  Saints and Sinners Reach the Same Goal Chapter, Verses 13-18
   "Translating the Xi Sui Jing" by Kevin Siddons and Hongyan Chen
   Qi - The Journal of Traditional Health and Fitness
   Autumn 2017, Volume 27, No. 3, p. 34

Hands On: Touching, Feeling, Grasping


"Touch has a memory"
-  John Keats

Push Hands, Sensing Hands

Cloud Hands: Taijiquan

Crazy Killers with Arsenals

Another disheartening tragedy in Las Vegas!  The senseless mass murder of 59 people, and the injuring of over 500 people at an outdoor country music concert.  Distressing, unfathomable, horrific, evil, shameful.  A deep sorrow for all affected and concerned.  A very sad day!  

I've written numerous times about these terrible incidents and my response to them.  For Example, Prepping for the Kill in 2015.  

How many guns did the wealthy heartless killer Stephen Paddock own?  Police found 42, 19 at the crime scene.  Seriously, 42 rifles and guns.  The cruel diversions of some rich men are disgusting.  

I realize that even with strict gun control, like that found in more peaceful countries without frequent mass murders, this will not prevent some murder.  However, maybe NOT the murder of 59 persons and injuring over 500 people in one unforgettable night.  

Tai Chi Training at Northwest Tai Chi and Qigong

This morning, I joined the Northwest Tai Chi and Qigong Studio in downtown Vancouver, WA.  I believe it is now called the "Vancouver Tai Chi and Qigong Studio," run by students of Sifu Brian Knack and, this far, by Sifu himself.  

I am uncertain about whether or not the studio is "closing" in the Spring of 2018.  Nevertheless, I will join now and see what happens. 

I attended a one hour Taiji class.  We did gentle warmups and then the 108 Yang form.  The room was quite warm.  Naturally, I was tense and anxious.  Performance anxiety when doing the Yang long form after not doing it for the last year, and adjusting to the slight variations in angles and hand movements by this group. I sweated a great deal and got a bit woosy and weak.  I had to sit and drink water offered by Sandy.  Sifu went over principles of movement in legs, gua, waist, emptying weight, etc..; all good information.  I was very tired afterwards, and slept for 1.5 hours when I came home.

Sifu Brian Knack and his senior students operate this Tai Chi training center in the Vancouver Health and Wellness Building at 202 E. Mcloughlin Blvd., Vancouver, 360-607-8240. Also, on Facebook.

Taijiquan and Qigong Class Schedule:

Tuesday
Qigong
Tuesday – QiGong @ 9:00 am 
Tai Chi @ 10:00 am   

Advanced Tai Chi @ 5:30 pm
Beginning Tai Chi @ 6:30 pm
Advanced Tai Chi and Push Hands @ 7:30 pm 
Saturday 

Qigong and Tai Chi  10:00 am - 11:30

Master Shanti will be back for another workshop - continuing on with our Wuji exploration moving more into form work and partner work. It will be Saturday Oct21st @ 10am - 1pm. Cost will be $45 (cash only).  I plan to attend.  

"Bryan Knack was inducted to the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame as "Chinese Martial Arts Master of the Year" and "International Sifu of the Year"
Sifu Bryan Knack began studying martial arts in the mid-70's, begining with the external martial arts of Goju-ryu (Okinawan karate) and Siu Lum Kung Fu in the 1980's. Then he turned his studies to TAI CHI and QI GONG and had a training center in Portland, Oregon.
He returned to his hometown of Spokane to open his own studio, NORTHWEST TAI CHI FOR HEALTH in 2000. Sifu Knack returned to the Vancouver/Portland in 2011 area to be close to family.

Sifu Knack offers study in many disciplines:

* Tai Chi Yang Style * Tai Chi Chen Style

* Qi Gong * Zhan Zhaung * Chin Na

* Push Hands * Weapons

Tai Chi is fun. We offer an affordable program for multiple section classes for a monthly charge or a small fee for each class you attend."

Currently, on Thursday afternoon, a small group is studying the Chen broadsword form by invitation.  

Good Advice from the Doctor

I have benefited from reading and adopting the ideas and suggestions of Andrew Weil, M.D..  His books are informative and provide persuasive facts and arguments for using “integrative medicine” to achieve improved health and well-being.  Persons of all ages can benefit from his advice, and his book “Healthy Aging” is especially relevant to seniors like myself.  Those who practice Taijiquan, Qigong, and Yoga will find support for their practices in Dr. Weil’s writing. 

Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power.  By Andrew Weil, M.D..  Ballantine Books, 2007.  320 pages.  ISBN: 978-0345498021.  VSCL. 

Spontaneous Happiness: A New Path the Emotional Well-Being.  By Andrew Weil, M.D..  Little Brown and Co., 2013.  288 pages.  ISBN: 978-0316129428.  VSCL. 

Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being.  By Andrew Weil, M.D..  Anchor Books, 2007.  368 pages.  ISBN: 978-0307277541.  VSCL. 

“Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, a healing oriented approach to health care which encompasses body, mind, and spirit. Combining a Harvard education and a lifetime of practicing natural and preventive medicine, Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, where he is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health and the Lovell-Jones Professor of Integrative Rheumatology. Dr. Weil received both his medical degree and his undergraduate AB degree in biology (botany) from Harvard University. Dr. Weil is an internationally-recognized expert for his views on leading a healthy lifestyle, his philosophy of healthy aging, and his critique of the future of medicine and health care. Online, he is the editorial director of www.drweil.com, the leading web resource for healthy living based on the philosophy of integrative medicine; and, can be found on Facebook (facebook.com/drweil), Approximately 10 million copies of Dr. Weil's books have been sold, including "Spontaneous Healing," "8 Weeks to Optimum Health," "Eating Well for Optimum Health," "The Healthy Kitchen," "Healthy Aging," and "Why Our Health Matters."”
- Quotation from Amazon Books

Here are some of my webpages related to these subjects:

Happiness, Well-Being, Flourishing

How to Live a Good Life

Aging Well

Paths to Fitness and Well Being

A Wise Use of Your Time

I find it interesting to consider the topic of whether or not some activity is a “waste of time.”

There are numerous articles on the Internet on the topic of what to do to prevent wasting your time. For example, Theresa Griffith wrote a short article titled "Top 20 Time Wasters and the Top 5 Worthwhile Activities." Dozens of books provide practical suggestions on the topic of 'time management.' The 'time wasters' are important to consider.

Everyone has personal opinions about what, for them, is unpleasant and something they want to avoid. Doing something they dislike is, for them, a “waste of time.” Many other people find the exact same activity pleasurable and not a waste of time. For examples: For many, gardening is not pleasurable and a waste of time; for others, a creative and physical joyfulness. Walking in the woods for hours is a delight for some; and an unpleasant waste of time for others. Some folks want to repair and upgrade automobiles for hours; for many others, that is just a technical and greasy job for the paid local mechanic.  Praying and attending church services are essential activities for many; and yet considered by many others as a waste of their time.  Watching sports for many hours on television is a top priority for many; and a boring waste of time for may others.  The old saying about "one man's meat is another man's poison" applies to more that debates between vegetarians and meat eaters. 

Efficiency is indeed important in many aspects of life and employment. Consistently doing something the wrong way at work would be considered a “waste of time,” and a likely cause for dismissal. Some problems are seemingly impossible to solve, and trying to do so might be considered a waste of time.
However, efficiency should not always be the primary criterion to use in judging. What about effectiveness, aesthetics, goodness, pleasures, etc.

Personal dissatisfaction about “excessive” amounts of time spent on a single activity, and avoiding or neglecting some other more important personal priorities and objectives, might trigger the judgment about that activity being a waste of time. Any activity carried to excess in this fashion is indeed a squandering your limited temporal resources.

Sometimes some of our behaviors are an addiction or compulsion, and of very limited benefit or injurious to us or others. We realize we are wasting and loosing time, but cannot control ourselves.

After our daily work and chores are completed, and we have completed our commitments and responsibilities, then we might relax, enjoy ourselves, and "waste" some time. It was not time wasted, but time used for personal pleasures.  

It is best for us to be very careful in our judgments about what we consider a "waste of time" for ourselves and/or others.  

"I am not an arbiter of taste, and it is not my place to tell you what to read, listen to, or watch.  I just want you to be aware that the decisions you make about all this affect your moods and emotions better and worse.  I urge you to make them mindfully."
-  Dr. Andrew Weil, Spontaneous Happiness, p 155.

Returning to Feeling Better and Training

In May of 2016, I was lifting weights for 45 minutes at the gym 5 days a week.  I walked 2 to 3 miles four days every week.  I taught 3 yoga classes and 3 taijiquan classes each week.  I worked 24 hours a week for the Corning School District.  I was feeling strong, energetic, and positive.  Medical tests were positive.  I was 70 years of age.  

After July of 2017, my health declined.  My 1st degree AV heart block (which I had since 1990) became a 2nd degree AV heart block and Bradycardia (excessively slow heartbeat) caused great concern and distress.  I had a pacemaker inserted in 6/17. 

We sold our home in Red Bluff, CA, and purchased a home in 6/17 in Vancouver WA.  This was challenging and stressful. 

During this period I fell twice and injured both knees and my right hip.  My damaged right rotator cuff tendon continued to limit my motions. 

My Type II diabetes, under reasonable control since 1990, began to worsen.  My new physician, Dr. Anna, switched my medicines in 7/17 and my recent blood sugar AIC was 7.2.  I must improve. 

I was depressed and drugged.  Disheartening!  Little energy!  Lighteaded! 

I smoked cannabis during this period to ease the pain and dull my senses.  This was a mistake.  I stopped smoking! 

I did not write much or research/study much for 14 months. 

I health started to improve in September, 2017.  I am now hoping to resume a more comprehensive physical training program in October, 2017. 

Karen and I are now eating more vegetarian based meals.  We are both greatly reducing our intake of  meats, dairy products, and eggs. 

I am now walking every day for 30 to 40 minutes. 

I garden some everyday at our new home.  

I go to the gym at LA Fitness four days a week. 

Hopefully, this autumn season will bring improved stamina and vitality to my life. 

I know that I have told my recent story before in this blog.  I apologize for the repetition. 

I hope my future writing and posts help me recover.  Productive work of this kind is uplifting for me.  Maybe, in addition, it might help others in some way.

Best wishes, 

Mike

Films about Vegetarianism

Karen and I have recently watched a number of "documentary" films on Netflix dealing with the impact of excessive meat eating on individuals, communities, and our environment.  Also, we have read a number of books on the subject.  In addition, my cardiologist recommends a change in my own eating habits. 

East Region Library Managers, Los Angeles County Public Library System, 1996

A hard working group of branch library managers and regional staff.  Great colleagues, and some fine friends.  We accomplished a lot with our 20 libraries in East Region.  Fond memories!  

I was the Regional Administrator for East Region, in the San Gabriel Valley, 20 libraries, from 1980-1998.  My office was at the West Covina Regional Library.  

At the time the above photograph was taken we were all at the Rowland Heights library attending the monthly Branch Managers meeting.  Back then, Mike McClintock and Billie Frierson were  assistant administrators.  Judy Valcho, Linda Siggins and Kay Simonetti were regional coordinators; and Elizabeth Koller was the office manager.  

From my memory in 2018. The top back row standing, left to right, Chuck Kaufman (Hacienda Heights), reference librarian Diamond Bar, John McClellan (Claremont), Tony Ramirez (El Monte), library assistant at Rowland Heights, Peter Rosenwald (Duarte), Elizabeth Koller (Region), Pat Libbry (Norwood), Robert Marquez (South El Monte), Sherna Cowan (Rowland), Mary Noonan (San Dimas), Dottie Nichols (Charter Oak).  Sitting, left to right, Stuart Rosenberg (La Verne), Billie Frierson (Region), Linda Siggins (Region), Mike Garofalo (Region), Sandra Novoa (Sunkist), Wilbert Hunt (Baldwin Park), Mike McClintock (Region).  Missing: Joan Livingston (West Covina), Bryan Trygstad (library), Librarian (Walnut), Judy Valcho (Region).  

As of 2018, Chuck Kaufman, Mary Miller, Claudia Moiseve, Cathy, Susanna Morneau, and John McClellan have all passed away.  

Los Angeles County Public Library System, 1998, Administrative Council

The top management group of the second largest public library system in the United States.  A very creative group of dedicated professionals, and a fine team.  I retired in 1998, and have not met with these good people again.  

Camping at Horseshoe Lake

Last weekend we camped for three nights at Horseshoe Lake. It is on the western side of Mt. Adams (12,200 feet). The glaciers on Mt. Adams were the largest I have ever seen, other than in documentaries.

The views of Mt. Adams were spectacular. Next summer, I hope to camp at Takhlakh Lake.  We visited four different small lakes in the area.  This was the last week for camping in this area which will be closed from around September 22 to July 1st of next year due to the heavy snowfall.  

Mick fished. Since nobody was in this campground, Mick and April could let their two dogs roam around more.

Everyone enjoyed themselves.

The campground was under strict fire prevention rules. We could not have a campfire - which was missed in the morning at evening.

Karen and I still had problems with poor sleeping pads. We will solve this problem before our next trip.

The 47 mile drive down dirt/gravel Forest Service road 21 to Horseshoe Lake was a bit difficult for us. We are not used to the challenges of driving on this kind of road. Our old 2003 Ford Explorer did just fine.

I purchased a Washington fishing licence on 9/20. Mick and I plan to go to Battleground Lake next Monday.

Labor Day 2017

A number of my neighbors are working in their yards today.  I've heard hammering, sawing, and loading sounds.
I went shopping at my local ACE and Orchards Feed hardware store on Rosewood and 94th Ave.
Karen painted all the wood ready for the final section of our new green trellis for the vertical garden of wisteria, honeysuckle, clematis, and one evergreen vine.
In the last four days, Karen and I have planted in the ground 4 English laurel, 5 Pieris Andromeda low shrubs, 1 medium and 1 small Japanese maple trees, 2 Bay laurel, and 5 small ground covers.

Today, I, laborer, carpenter, gardener, landscaper ...

Finished installing the final right angle section of the green trellis.

Installed 16 feet of the brown/cedar plastic lath lattice pattern 1" cross hatch 4'x8' panel.  This will divide our sitting area from our nursery area.

Planted a wisteria, a Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria.  Tied to lattice.