Find the Center

"Finding your central equilibrium (zhongding) is as subtle as it is vital to your gongfu.  I consider it the foundation of any higher level martial art and the source of the ‘effortless power’ that is the hallmark of the internal styles.  It plugs us into the ‘Big Qi’– the universal energy source of earth and sky that makes it all go. So, beyond its value to martial artists, it also is a tremendous asset to energy healers and to any human being who wants to feel more vitality and ease of movement. 
    Yet it is very elusive. Hidden in plain sight. It is veiled by our own sense of personal safety. Most of us learn to stand upright and walk around when we are a year or so old. Our sense of balance is established when our primary concern is to not fall over and hurt ourselves. This was a valid concern then and it is now. But the body of a one or two year old is undeveloped and the way we supported ourselves then is not the best way to do it now. 
    There is a ‘sweet spot’ you find when you allow your body to center over the balls of your feet. But most of us feel like we’re ‘off-balance’ when at true center because it’s so unfamiliar. We are so used to leaning backward that any adjustment forward seems threatening. That old program kicks in and say’s “Whoa!  What’re you crazy? You’re gonna fall on your face!” But to an observer you would look straight and tall. 
    When I want to build a wall or hang a door I need to establish plumb and square. I use a plumb bob to determine the line that is vertical to earth. It doesn’t matter if the floor is tilted. I want my vertical line to be as plumb as possible. Once I have my absolute reference line, I can use a square to establish lines perpendicular to it. This way my door can swing freely and my walls don’t require a lot of additional bracing to keep from falling over."
-  Rick Barrett, Tai Chi Alchemy, Zhongding - Finding Your Central Equilibrium

Rooting and Centering in Taijiquan

"When you train, free yourself from distracting thoughts:
Keep your hear buoyant, your body buoyant, too.
Do not forget the principle of "return to the center":
Strive and strive, with single-minded devotion.
This is the true path of softness.
This is the true path of softness."
-   Kyuzo Mifune (1883-1965), Judo Master, The Song of Judo
    Budo Secrets: Teachings of the Martial Arts Masters, p. 30

I remain "centered" when I am engaged in the activities that make my life meaningful to me and sometimes to others.

Dao De Jing by Laozi, Chapter 79

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 79

"When reconciliation follows a great grievance,
How often there is a residue of grievance!
That can scarcely be called a settlement!
Therefore, the Sage, while himself fulfilling the harder part of a bargain,
Does not claim his due from the other.
He who uses the Virtue of the Tao, keeps to his bond;
He who does not use the Virtue of the Tao drives a hard bargain.
The Tao is no respecter of persons:
Its abundance is always at the service of the good."
-  Translated by Herman Ould, 1946, Chapter 79

"At the conclusion of a serious dispute,
It is rare that some resentment not remain behind.
To restore harmony, the Sage,
Keeping to the letter of the agreement with regard to his own obligations,
Never compels the other to fulfill his responsibilities.
Having Te, one would attend to obligations.
Without Te, one would press claims.
While it is the nature of Tao to be free of partiality,
Holding to the essence of the Tao,
The truly virtuous find the Tao abiding within."
-  Translated by Alan Taplow, 1982, Chapter 79  

"When enemies are reconciled, some resentment invariably remains.
How can this be healed?
Therefore the Sage makes good on his half of the deal
And demands nothing of others.
One who is truly good will keep his promise.
One who is not good will take what he can.
Heaven doesn't choose sides
It is always with the good people."
-  Translated by John R. Mabry, Chapter 79    

"Aunque la paz se haga entre grandes enemigos,
persiste entre ambos algo de rencor.
¿Cómo es posible que esto sea bueno?
Por ello, el sabio guarda la mitad izquierda de su contrato,
pero no pide cuentas a los hombres.
El hombre Virtuoso solo pide a los demás
que cumplan con sus obligaciones.
El hombre que no tiene virtud pide a los demás
que le paguen sus impuestos.
El Tao del Cielo carece de afectos personales,
pero siempre armoniza con los hombres buenos."
-  Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Capitulo 79  

"harmonizing great resentments and injuries
requires a soft but steady equilibrium
but even in a gentle balancing of the scales
some friction and pain will always remain
harmony can still be reached
if the sage wise man doesn't push
for complete unity
the sage wise man come to understand that flawless justice
is impossible
so he holds an even temperament instead
great knowledge comes from the left hand
holding something broken an flawed
accept the small inequities
a bodymind embracing the tao way of life
doesn't need perfection
a bodymind rejects the tao way of life
striving for perfection
remember
heaven lends its strength to those who
follow the natural laws of the universe."
-  Translated by John Bright-Fey, Chapter 79  


Chapter 79, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Spanish Language Translations of the Dao De King: A Bibliography

Index of English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching

Concordance to the Dao De Jing

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

Frolic Like a Bear

I have practiced various versions of the Five Animal Frolics Qigong for a number of years.  There are many different versions of the Animal Frolics.  In the winter months I practice the Bear Frolic a bit more often.

The exercise set is considered to be Daoyin, or what is now called Qigong (Chi Kung). In this context, the word "Dao" means to guide, lead, show the way, slowly, inch by inch. The word "Yin" means to pull out, draw out, or stretch. So Daoyin are mind-body exercises that show us how to draw out the potential for diseases and restore an integrated or balanced state of well-being in body and mind.

Many people credit the famous Chinese physician, Hua Tuo (110-207 CE), with developing a popular Daoyin animal frolics set which consists of exercises based on the deer, crane, monkey, tiger, and bear. Hua Tuo's best student, Wu Pu, lived to be over 100, and wrote that Hua Tuo told him:

"Man's body must have exercise, but it should never be done to the point of exhaustion. By moving about briskly, digestion is improved, the blood vessels are opened, and illnesses are prevented. It is like a used doorstep which never rots. As far as Tao Yin (bending and stretching exercises) is concerned, we have the bear's neck, the crane's twist, and swaying the waist and moving the joints to promote long life. Now I have created the art called the Frolics of the Five Animals: the Tiger, the Deer, the Bear, the Monkey, and the Crane. It eliminates sickness, benefits the legs, and is also a form of Tao Yin. If you feel out of sorts, just practice one of my Frolics. A gentle sweat will exude, the complexion will become rosy; the body will feel light and you will want to eat."

 "In addition to the key points of Qigong exercise, the Frolics of the Five Animals require attention to the following points:
1.  Integration of Form and Mind
2.  Flexible and Circular Movement 
3.  Slow and Fast Movement  [The Bear's movement is slow and steady.]
4.  Heaviness, Stability and Subtlety 
5.  Softness and Toughness  
6.  Order of the Frolics  [The Bear movement is done first in the series: bear, deer, tiger, monkey, and crane.] 
7.  Coordination of Movements with Respiration 
8.  Three-way Stability 
9.  Preparation  
10.  Conscientiousness 
11.  Perseverance in Practice  
-   Jiao Guorui, Qigong Essentials for Health Promotion, 1988, pp. 193-195.  This is one of the earliest good English language texts on Qigong practices.   

Be sure to take a look at:

Bear Frolic.  UTube Video, 2:08 Min.  Performed by Anson Rathbone, 2007.  As taught by Deguang at NESA's Medical Qigong Class.  

Take a Deep Breath

"Remember what makes the lungs move?  Your diaphragm.  That's the muscle that pulls your lungs down, so your lungs expand and you can really circulate oxygen down throughout the whole lung.  To learn proper breathing techniques, take yoga lessons ― where people focus as much on their breathing as they do on their ability to scratch their heads with their toes.  Lie flat on the floor, with one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest.  Take a deep breath in― slowly.  Lying on the floor at first when you practice is important, because if you stand up, you're more likely to fake a deep breath by doing an exaggerated chest extension, rather than letting it fill up naturally.  Imagine your your lungs filling up with air; it should take about five seconds to inhale.  As your diaphragm pulls your chest cavity down, your belly button should be moving away from your spine as you fill your lungs.  Your chest will also widen―  and maybe rise every so slightly― as you inhale.  When your lungs feel fuller than a sumo wrestler's lunchbox, exhale slowly - taking about seven seconds to let all the air out.  You can pull your belly button toward your spine to force all the air out of your lungs.
 
Okay, so now you know how to breathe deep, but what's the benefit?  What will deep breathing get you, besides stares on the subway.  A lot, actually.  For one, it help transport nitric oxide― a very potent lung and blood vessel dilator that resides in your nasal passages― to your lungs.  So it makes your lungs and and blood vessels function better.  Taking deep breaths helps your lungs go from 98 percent saturation of oxygen to 100 percent saturation of oxygen.  Another benefit is that it helps improve the drainage of your lymphatic system, which removes toxins from your body.  Of course, it also helps in stress relief.  The deep breaths act as a mini-meditation, from a longevity standpoint, is an important stress reliever.  Shifting to slower breathing in times of tension can help calm you and allow you to perform, whether mentally or physically, at higher levels."
-  Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D., You: The Owner's Manual, 2005, p. 165

Breathing: Quotes, Notes, Qigong, Taiji, Yoga, Techniques


Breathing: Bibliography, Quotations, Notes

The Yoga of Breath: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pranayama  By Richard Rosen.  Foreword by Rodney Yee.  Illustrations by Kim Fraley.  Boston, Shambhala, 2002.  Index, notes, 304 pages.  ISBN: 1570628890.  VSCL.    

Pranayama Beyond the Fundamentals: An In-Depth Guide to Yogic Breathing  By Richard Rosen.  Includes an instructional audio CD.  Boston, Shambhala, 2006.  Index, bibliography, glossary, notes, 214 pages.  ISBN: 1590302982.  VSCL. 

Light on Prānāyāma: The Yogic Art of Breathing  By B.K.S. Iyengar.  Introduction by Yehudi Menuhin.  New York, Crossroad Pub. Co., 2012.  Originally published in 1985 in English.  Index, glossary, appendices, 296 pages.  ISBN: 9780824506865.  VSCL. 

Strength Training Program in 2014

I regularly do strength training (weightlifting) at the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff.  I find that strength training and walking help me maintain a normal blood sugar level along with two medicines (metaformin and glipizide) that I take for managing my diabetes disease.  Also, I enjoy the feeling of being stronger, and try to achieve some bodybuilding objectives. 

I do strength training for my legs on Friday and Monday.  I do strength training for my back and shoulders/arms on Sunday and Wednesday.  I do strength training for my chest and arms on Tuesday.  Here is my strength training program for 2014.

I am flexible as to sets, repetitions, and the amount of weight lifted.  When I am more energetic, then I try to more sets and with increased weight.  I always try to do all of the exercises specified in the program.  

A few Taijiquan masters advise against weight training.  I don't agree with them. 

Six Keys to Bodybuilding Success
1.  "Set realistic goals― short and long term.
2.  Plan an orderly and thorough routine to train the entire body.
3.  Make a commitment to stick to your routine for four to six weeks to realize the changes and benefits, develop perseverance and create a habit.
4.  Establish enthusiasm for your training, the driving force to perform successfully.
5.  Ease into an appropriate training program with a wholesome, thoughtful nutritional plan: proper foods, amounts and order of consumption.
6.  Be confident from the beginning that the application of these sound principles will produce the desired results."
-  Dave Draper, Brother Iron Sister Steel, p. 33

"You should prepare to follow the program for 90 days.  Why?  Because behavioral research indicates that it takes 90 days to prepare for change, build a new behavior, become confident in the face of high-risk triggers, and move past the likelihood of relapse.  Brain research also suggests that it takes a few months of practicing a new behavior to create permanent change."
-  John C. Norcorss, Ph.D., Changeology, p. 7  


I walk 3.6 miles (5.8km) in the early morning on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  It has been very cold (35-45F) and windy at daybreak.  Therefore, I bundle up with layers of clothing.  Here is how I look before I start my walk.  The bright red silk balaclava is a bit weird looking, but it really works in warming my breathing and face. 

 

Gardening Projects

We worked hard this last week on removing cattails from our east pond, removing three large dead cypress trees, moving cut items to a new large burn pile, planting new trees in our orchard, watering, and many household repairs.  Each day, Karen and I worked from 4 to 6 hours outdoors. 

We are very concerned about the lack of rain the past four months.  We are in drought conditions.  There is no snow on Mt. Lassen. It has been very cold and dry every day.  No rain predicted. 

Today, we plan to work on our south orchard.  We will purchase four new bare root trees from Kathy and Davis Goodin, and plant them.

We now have 50 trees planted in our south orchard.  There are apples, apricots, crabapples, figs, grapes, nectarines, peaches, persimmons, plums, etc.    

The Spirit of Gardening: Poems, Quotes, Sayings, Lore, Quips

Months of the Year

Principles of Creation Spirituality

"1. The universe is fundamentally a blessing.
Our relationship with the Universe fills us with awe.

2. In Creation, God is both immanent and transcendent. This is panentheism which is not theism (God out there) and not atheism (no God anywhere).
We experience that the Divine is in all things and all things are in the Divine.

3. God is as much Mother as Father, as much Child as Parent, as much God in mystery as the God in history, as much beyond all words and images as in all forms and beings.
We are liberated from the need to cling to God in one form or one literal name.

4. In our lives, it is through the work of spiritual practice that we find our deep and true selves.
Through the arts of meditation and silence we cultivate a clarity of mind and move beyond fear into compassion and community.

5. Our inner work can be understood as a four-fold journey involving:
- awe, delight, amazement (known as the Via Positiva)
- uncertainty, darkness, suffering, letting go (Via Negativa)
- birthing, creativity, passion (Via Creativa)
- justice, healing, celebration (Via Transformativa)
We weave through these paths like a spiral danced, not a ladder climbed.

6. Every one of us is a mystic.
We can enter the mystical as much through beauty (Via Positiva) as through contemplation and suffering (Via Negativa). We are born full of wonder and can recover it at any age.

7. Every one of us is an artist.
Whatever the expression of our creativity, it is our prayer and praise (Via Creativa).

8. Every one of us is a prophet.
Our prophetic work is to interfere with all forms of injustice and that which interrupts authentic life (Via Transformativa).

9. Diversity is the nature of the Universe. We rejoice in and courageously honor the rich diversity within the Cosmos and expressed among individuals and across multiple cultures, religions and ancestral traditions.

10. The basic work of God is compassion and we, who are all original blessings and sons and daughters of the Divine, are called to compassion.
We acknowledge our shared interdependence; we rejoice at one another's joys and grieve at one another's sorrows and labor to heal the causes of those sorrows.

11. There are many wells of faith and knowledge drawing from one underground river of Divine wisdom. The practice of honoring, learning and celebrating the wisdom collected from these wells is Deep Ecumenism.
We respect and embrace the wisdom and oneness that arises from the diverse wells of all the sacred traditions of the world.

12. Ecological justice is essential for the sustainability of life on Earth.
Ecology is the local expression of cosmology and so we commit to live in light of this value: to pass on the beauty and health of Creation to future generations."

-  Twelve Principles of Creation Spirituality,  Creation Spirituality Communities

-  Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality Presented in Four Paths, Twenty-Six Themes, and Two Questions
By Matthew Fox,  2000

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Chapter 80

Daodejing, Laozi
Chapter 80

"Supposing here is a small state with few people.
Though there are various vessels I will not have them put in use.
I will make the people regard death as a grave matter and not go far away.
Though they have boats and carraiges they will not travel in them.
Though they have armour and weapons they will not show them.
I will let them restore the use of knotted cords (instead of writing).
They will be satisfied with their food.
Delighted in their dress;
Comfortable in their dwellings;
Happy with their customs.
Though the neighbouring states are within sight
And their cocks' crowing and dogs' barking within hearing;
The people (of the small state) will not go there their whole lives."
-  Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 80 

"With a small State, sparsely populated, supposing that I had weapons for a thousand men, I would not use them.
I would rather teach my subjects to think seriously of death, and not to emigrate to a distance.
Then, though they might have ships and chariots, nobody would mount them; though they might have armour and weapons, nobody would set them in array.
I would make them return to the use of the quipu, render their food toothsome, beautify their clothes by cultivating the silkworm, live tranquilly at home, be happy in their domestic usages, keep watch with neighbouring states for their mutual safety, and let the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs be heard by one another from their numbers and proximity.
Thus the people would die of old age without ever coming into hostile collision with each other."
-  Translated by Frederic Henry Balfour, 1884, Chapter 80

"Suppose I had a country small,

With people few, and I had there

Some officers of ten,

Or of a hundred men,

I'd not employ those men at all;

Though death were feared, unfrightened then,

My people would not emigrate elsewhere.

 

They might have carriages and boats,

But not in them to ride away,

They might have warlike arms,

But never war s alarms

Would call them with their hateful notes;

They d even forget how writing charms,

And knotted cords again they would display.

 

Then would they relish homely food,

Their plain clothes would seem elegant,

Though dwellings might be poor,

Content would guard the door,

And simple habits, plain and good, Far better than they knew before,

 

A sense of fresh enjoyment would implant.

A neighboring state might be in sight,

The voice of fowls and dogs be heard,

But life like that would make

My people such joy take

In their own state, that till the night
Of age should their enjoyment slake,

And they should die, they'd not exchange a word."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 80  

"In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of them; I would make the
people, while looking on death as a grievous thing, yet not remove elsewhere to avoid it.
Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no occasion to ride in them; though they had buff coats and sharp weapons, they should have no occasion to don or use them.
I would make the people return to the use of knotted cords instead of the written characters.
They should think their coarse food sweet; their plain clothes beautiful; their poor dwellings places of rest; and their common simple ways sources of enjoyment.
There should be a neighboring state within sight, and the voices of the fowls and dogs should be heard all the way from it to us, but I would make the people to old age, even to death, not have any
intercourse with it."
-  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 80 

"Sobre la estructura del Estado, yo pienso lo siguiente:
Es major cuando el país es pequeño y la población es poca.
Aun cuando haya muchas armas, no deben usarse. Tampoco deben usarse los barcos y los carros de guerra.
     Para los guerreros es mejor no batallar.
La vida en el país debe ser tal que las personas no quieran dejarlo. 
Es bueno si todos tienen comida sabrosa, ropa bonita, casas cómodas y una vida alegre.
Es bueno mirar el país vecino con amor y escuchar como allí los gallos cantan y los perros ladran.
Es bueno que las personas, al llegar a la vejez en este país,
     alcancen la Perfección y se vayan de alli para no volver más."
-  Translated by Anton Teplyy, 2008, Capitulo 80

"The ideal land is small
Its people very few,
Where tools abound
Ten times or yet
A hundred-fold
Beyond their use;
Where people die
And die again
But never emigrate;
Have boats and carts
Which no one rides.
Weapons have they
And armor too,
But none displayed.
The folk returns
To use again
The knotted chords.
Their meat is sweet;
Their clothes adorned,
Their homes at peace,
Their customs charm.
And neighbor lands
Are juxtaposed
So each may hear
The barking dogs,
The crowing cocks
Across the way;
Where folks grow old
And folks will die
And never once
Exchange a call."
-  Translated by Raymond B. Blakney, 1955, Chapter 80 

Chapter 80 of the Dao De Jing by Laozi: Text and Commentaries
 

Index of English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices
 
Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching

 

 

 

Happy New Year

Best wishes to all for a productive, peaceful, healthy, generous, prosperous and memorable New Year!  2014 is Here! 

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons

"As we consider our goals for a new year, may we temper our optimism with realism, acknowledging that reality will not always align with our aspirations.  Still, knowing that it is up to human beings to build a better world, we must try. And as we pursue knowledge, work for change, and strive to be more compassionate in the new year, let us do so alongside people of all faiths and beliefs—for no single community can solve our shared problems.  May we not only hope for a better world, but work together to make it so."
-  Chris Stedman

"Happy, Happy New Year!
We wish you all the best,
Great work to reach your fondest goals,
And when you’re done, sweet rest.
We hope for your fulfillment,
Contentment, peace and more,
A brighter, better new year than
You’ve ever had before."
-  Joanna Fuchs

 Blaize Reunion in Ashland, Oregon, in 2013

End of Year Reflections

"Here are some suggestions to get you started in mulling over the past year:

What did I learn (skills, knowledge, awareness, etc.)
What did I accomplish?  A list of my wins and achievements.
What would I have done differently? Why?
What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
What were the most significant events of the year past? List the top three.
What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
What were the fun things I did? What were the not-so-fun?
What were my biggest challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
How am I different this year than last?
For what am I particularly grateful?

Another Suggestion: Consider listing all the things in your life of which you’d like to let go—anything you no longer want. Give thanks for what they've brought you in terms of learning and usefulness and then burn the list. It's a symbolic gesture to help you release the old and be open to the new. The next step is to list what you do want—experiences, knowledge, material things, relationships, healings, whatever.…"
-  By Michael E. Angier

Spanish Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

Starting in January, 2014, I will be adding Spanish language translations of the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) to my chapter webpages of this classic book.

My Daodejing webpages for each of the 81 Chapters will include up to 16 English language translations, Chinese characters and Wade-Giles and Pinyin transliterations, and one or two Spanish language translations.  I work on this project a little each day, and I am now working on Chapters 20-25. 

One project of mine for 2014-2015 is to translate into Spanish all 81 chapters of the Isabella Mears 1916 English language version of the Daodejing. 

Spanish Language Translations of the Dao De King: A Bibliography

Index of English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching

Concordance to the Dao De Jing

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

Tao Te Ching  Chapter Number Index Standard Traditional Chapter Arrangement of the Daodejing Chapter Order in Wang Bi's Daodejing Commentary in 246 CE Chart by Mike Garofalo
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

Returning to Red Bluff

Karen and I visited with our children and their families in Portland from Saturday, December 21st until Friday, December 27th.  A time for Christmas celebrations together.  Karen and I really enjoyed visiting with everyone, and it was emotionally hard for us to leave this time. 

Back in Red Bluff today.  It is still very dry, so we have to water all our plants today.  I started on many home chores, and the pond clean up and dead trees removal project by the west pond.

I am enjoying reading the book Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom  By John O'Donohue (1956-2008).  New York, Harper Collins, 1997.  Recommended reading, 234 pages.  ISBN: 006092943X.  VSCL. I purchased this book at Powell's Bookstore in Portland.  

Dao De Jing by Laozi, Chapter 81

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 81

"Real words are not vain,
Vain words not real;
And since those who argue prove nothing
A sensible man does not argue.
A sensible man is wiser than he knows,
While a fool knows more than is wise.
Therefore a sensible man does not devise resources:
The greater his use to others
The greater their use to him,
The more he yields to others
The more they yield to him.
The way of life cleaves without cutting:
Which, without need to say,
Should be man's way."
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, Chapter 81   

"Faithful words may not be beautiful,
Beautiful words may not be faithful.
Those who love do not quarrel,
Those who quarrel do not love.
Those who know are not learned,
Those who are learned do not know.
The riches of the self-controlled man are in the Inner Life.
When he spends for others, he has more for himself.
When he gives to others, he has much more for himself.
Heavenly Tao blesses all and hurts no one.
The way of the self-controlled man is to act and not to fight."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 81   

"No one likes the honest truth,
And all fine talk falls short of it. Real words are never used to seduce you,
And those that do are no good. The one who really knows, knows without books,
The so-called learned know nothing. The sage holds nothing of himself back-
He uses all he has for you, and that is his reward.
He gives all he is and that is why he's rich.
And the Tao of Heaven feeds everything, and harms nothing
And the sage's Tao completes it, without doing anything."
-  Translated by Kwok, Palmer and Ramsey, Chapter 81   

"Truth has no need for fine words;
Fine words may not be true words.
The man of Tao does not try to convince by argument:
He who argues is not a man of Tao.
Wisdom does not consist in knowing everything;
The know-alls do not know the Tao.
The Sage does not hoard. The more he spends himself for others, the more he enriches himself.
The more he fives, the more he gains.
For the Tao of Heaven penetrates all things but harms none.
This, too, is the Tao of the Sage, who acts without contending."
-  Translated by Herman Ould, 1946, Chapter 81     

Chapter 81 of the Dao De Jing by Laozi: Text and Commentaries
 

Index of English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices
 
Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching

 

Taijiquan Standard 24 Movement Form

The first Taijiquan form I learned in 1986 was the Standard 24 Movement T'ai Chi Ch'uan Form in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  At that time there were no books or instructional videotapes on this popular form.  Since that time, nearly 25 years have passed.  Now there are dozens of books and instructional DVDs and webpages on the subject of the 24 Form. 

Mike Garofalo 'Playing the Pipa'

My webpage on the Standard 24 Taijiquan Form has been the most popular webpage on the Cloud Hands Website for many years. In the sidebar of this blog, you will find a quick index to this webpage.

Standard Simplified Taijiquan 24 Form.  Research by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S. This webpage includes a detailed bibliography of books, media, links, online videos, articles, and resources.  It provides a list of the 24 movement names in English, Chinese, French, German and Spanish, with citations for sources of the movement names.  It provides detailed descriptions of each movement with black and white line illustrations and  photographs.  It includes relevant quotations, notes, performance times, section breakdowns, basic Tai Chi principles, and strategies for learning the form.  The Peking (Bejing) Chinese National orthodox standard simplified 24 movement T'ai Chi Ch'uan form, created in 1956, is the most popular form practiced all around the world.  This form uses the Yang Style of Taijiquan.  Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California:  Webpage URL:  http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm.  File size: 269 Kb. 

This webpage provides many good suggestions for a person learning this form on their own if there is no Tai Chi class in their area. 

The best book that I have seen on the subject is:

The Yang Taiji 24 Step Short Form: A Step by Step Guide for All Levels
By James Drewe  London, Singing Dragon Press, 2011.  382 pages, black and white photographs, charts, detailed descriptions, training tips.
 

I give information on many other fine books by other good authors on the 24 Form in my webpage: Cheng Zhao, Foen Tjoeng Lie, Eric Chaline, Le Deyin, etc.. 

My students tell me that their favorite instructional DVD on the 24 Form is:

Tai Chi - The 24 Forms
By Dr. Paul Lam


I have taught this lovely Tai Chi form to hundreds of people since 2000.  Everyone tells me how much they enjoy learning and practicing this gentle form.

I also teach and enjoy playing the Chen Style Taijiquan 18 Movement Form created by Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. Actually, in the last year, I prefer practicing the Chen 18 Form more.  

Merry Christmas

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