 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Warrior Work
Week 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tao of Life
By Peter Hill
At birth, man is soft and supple.
At death, man is hard and stiff.
Therefore the disciple of life is the soft and the yielding,
The disciple of death, the hard and unbending.”
Lao Tzu
How long do you want to live?
What qualities of life are important to you?
What do you value in your relationships?
What do you value in your work?
What do you wish to do with your time and money?
What do you value in terms of your inner skills and spiritual/energetic strengths?
Tai Chi emphasizes the cultivation of the three treasures: Vitality, Energy and Spirit.
As science explores these qualities of longevity, there are a few important factors for you to be always aware of.
All three treasures benefit from fewer calories. Eating foods that are high in energy and life force makes it easier for your body to digest,
utilize the nutrients and dispose of the waste product. In Japan, there are villages with residents well over 100 years old who are active
and healthy. They work in their gardens, eat diets filled with rice, vegetables and a little fish. They keep their stress levels low, live simply
and have strong social networks.
All three treasures benefit from flexibility work and exercise. Stretching while utilizing the breath cultivates a healthier immune system,
less pressure on the skeletal system allowing for ease of movement and increased range of motion and minimizes depression and
lowered mental functions through cross training right and left sides integrating a complete neural net. Bodywork also facilitates all the
above and add in the important factor of human touch that, with a nurturing intent, has many mental, emotional and physical benefits. Look
up ‘psychoneuroimmunology’ online. It will help you to understand the interconnectedness of the body, the mind and one’s energy systems.
All three treasures benefit from LOVE. This may seem to be fairly abstract but Dr Dean Ornish in his book, “Love and Survival” shows
study after study that documents that people who feel loved have less heart challenges even when all risk factors are present.
Love brings purpose and meaning to life and the lack of love takes away purpose and meaning. As Richard Bach says, “At the end of
your life, the most important question will be, ‘What was the quality of your love’.”
In retrospect, Tai Chi is not just the exercises and forms – it is the integration of all the above linked through intent to move through the
world with arms wide open and a spirit that can stay centered, soft and open, sharp and clear in the midst of any conflict – even death can
not touch such an indomitable spirit and the taichi warrior has no fear of it’s touch. In the end, it is not the length of one’s life that matters
but the level of love and vitality, energy and spirit that is in one’s life.
By Peter Hill, Copyright 2004
www.getittogether.net
www.worldtaichi.com
Warrior Week Home >>
Week 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tao of Life
By Peter Hill
At birth, man is soft and supple.
At death, man is hard and stiff.
Therefore the disciple of life is the soft and the yielding,
The disciple of death, the hard and unbending.”
Lao Tzu
How long do you want to live?
What qualities of life are important to you?
What do you value in your relationships?
What do you value in your work?
What do you wish to do with your time and money?
What do you value in terms of your inner skills and spiritual/energetic strengths?
Tai Chi emphasizes the cultivation of the three treasures: Vitality, Energy and Spirit.
As science explores these qualities of longevity, there are a few important factors for you to be always aware of.
All three treasures benefit from fewer calories. Eating foods that are high in energy and life force makes it easier for your body to digest,
utilize the nutrients and dispose of the waste product. In Japan, there are villages with residents well over 100 years old who are active
and healthy. They work in their gardens, eat diets filled with rice, vegetables and a little fish. They keep their stress levels low, live simply
and have strong social networks.
All three treasures benefit from flexibility work and exercise. Stretching while utilizing the breath cultivates a healthier immune system,
less pressure on the skeletal system allowing for ease of movement and increased range of motion and minimizes depression and
lowered mental functions through cross training right and left sides integrating a complete neural net. Bodywork also facilitates all the
above and add in the important factor of human touch that, with a nurturing intent, has many mental, emotional and physical benefits. Look
up ‘psychoneuroimmunology’ online. It will help you to understand the interconnectedness of the body, the mind and one’s energy systems.
All three treasures benefit from LOVE. This may seem to be fairly abstract but Dr Dean Ornish in his book, “Love and Survival” shows
study after study that documents that people who feel loved have less heart challenges even when all risk factors are present.
Love brings purpose and meaning to life and the lack of love takes away purpose and meaning. As Richard Bach says, “At the end of
your life, the most important question will be, ‘What was the quality of your love’.”
In retrospect, Tai Chi is not just the exercises and forms – it is the integration of all the above linked through intent to move through the
world with arms wide open and a spirit that can stay centered, soft and open, sharp and clear in the midst of any conflict – even death can
not touch such an indomitable spirit and the taichi warrior has no fear of it’s touch. In the end, it is not the length of one’s life that matters
but the level of love and vitality, energy and spirit that is in one’s life.
By Peter Hill, Copyright 2004
www.getittogether.net
www.worldtaichi.com
Warrior Week Home >>