Overcoming

The softness can overcome the stiffness, the calmness can overcome the agitation.

- Taoist Saying -

Laughing

Three crazy Taoists laugh so hard
They fall down on their backs.
"Why" you ask.
"Don't you know laughter is the best medicine for old age?" as they point to the moon.

Laughter can ignite the spontaneous healing energy and forces within us, for when we laugh, all the internal diaphragms: pelvic, respiratory, vocal and cerebral - are pumping. This also occur with crying but laughing is more popular. In both cases, the release of positive as well as negative emotions is extremely healthy for the body. So place your hands on your knees, inhale, and go "Ho, ho, ho". Just laugh like an idiot and don't worry about how you look. Laugh for one minute every day.

Men are four

He who knows and knows not that he knows. He is asleep;
wake him.
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not. He is a fool;
shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not. He is a child;
teach him.
He who knows and knows that he knows. He is a king;
follow him.

Chinese Proverb

Balance

You've always heard, too much of any one thing is bad. It's true. In your life, there is a balance of Yin and Yan. If there is too much Yin (the cool, shadow side) or too much Yan (hot, sunny side) an imbalance will occur and you may be sick. What is considered Yin and Yan? Well, that is a subject that is very complex and long-winded. In this blog, I will slowly explain that as the days goes on.

For simplicity, many vegetarians are Yin because they don't eat meat which is a Yan food. To balance this condition, they will need to consume more protein. Now, on the other hand, carb conscious eaters (which I am one), tends to have too much Yan because they eat a lot of meat. To balance this food imbalance, they must eat more vegetables.

Of course, there are so much more to Yin and Yan than what I've just mentioned but this very simple and brief way can allow most people to understand Yin and Yan. And this: in life, there is a balance, a harmony that must exist. Trouble will come when there is too much of one or the other. Just like over -indulgence, -stress, -work, -play, etc. Work on maintaining that balance.

Take the first step. Do it daily and make it part of your life's goal. It will prolong your life and make it more rich in content. The world will be a better place if more people will do it.

Kala and Sau-Sing

The Shaolin Gang's all here...

China's Shaolin Temple Group shot. Look who's standing next to the Abbot (in the grey robe)?

Monk at China's Shaolin Temple

Abbot of China's Shaolin Temple looks on as one of the monks demonstrates a form.

Trying hitting me here

Shaolin Monk at China's Shaolin Temple demonstrating the strength of Chi Gung using Grandmaster Rob Moses' punch.

Kung-Fu-La-Hoop at the Shaolin Temple

Grandmaster Rob Moses presenting one of his Kung-fu-la-hoops to the high Abbot of the Shaolin Temple in China.