Come and Learn Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation in a gorgeous location:France
The dates will be:4th to 8th April 2009
More information:http://www.theartfarm.info/events.html
In Taoism philosophy water is very important. In Book II: The Lessons of Tao by Lao Tzu, Lesson 8 talks about water:
“The best of men is like water;
Water benefits all things.
And does not compete with them.
It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain-
Wherein it comes near to the Tao.
In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth;
In his heart, he loves what is profound;
In his relations with others, he loves kindness;
In his words, he loves sincerity;
In government, he loves peace;
In business affair, he loves ability;
In his actions he loves choosing the right time.
It is because he does not contend
That he is without reproach.”
Bruce Lee philosophy in Jeet Kune Do also talks about water. In a TV interview he said, “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless…like water. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend!” I think people who like Bruce Lee all know this quote.
In practicing Tai Chi we also should be like water. When we practicing the form we should be the same as a river, smooth flowing. In Chinese we call this “Jing Dwan, Yi Bu Dwan” (Power break, Mind not break). Power can be broken but your mind can continue the flow. In real application when we defend ourselves we should be like the ocean; when you hit the ocean how can you hurt it? And when we attack back, use “Fa Jing”. This power should be like steam and hard like ice.
We all know water is very important to our lives. Water philosophy also can give us some idea about how to live and how it is like to live as an enlightened being. When discussing death Buddha asked, “How can one prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?”
The answer is: “By throwing it into the sea.”
–Danny