Broken Rhythm – Blog Action Day

Man Created Fire

In sparring, there is a fighting strategy called broken rhythm. As the fight progresses, an experienced fighter is sensitive to the rhythm and energy flow between himself and the opponent. He can disrupt the opponent by shifting the rhythm of the exchange, altering its natural flow. Although sophisticated as it is beyond obvious strength and speed, it is a deceptive way to control.

We might say that in our human evolution we learned the rhythm and energy flow of ourselves with nature. Disciplining ourselves through seasons, we built shelters, made tools, fished, hunted, learned agriculture, and how to make fire. Our human activity moved in accordance with the natural world, the rhythm allowed for balance. We advanced. Migrated. Settled. Built. Built. Built. We conquered. And then we disrupted the rhythm of the exchange, altering its natural flow. Our fighting strategy is broken rhythm. In this fight, we all lose.

Climate Change

Our climate is changing. Greenhouse gases have comprised the Earth’s atmospheric composition. Unchecked, the gases will increase, influencing temperature, sea level, changing flora and fauna, weather patterns and temperatures. In martial arts, the discipline focuses on self protection, teaching that the highest level of mastery is prevention. Although the physical training is movement, the true art lies within the mind. It is through awareness of the conditions — environment, situation, etc. — that we learn to control and prevent crisis before it occurs. Or observe and make corrections to survive. Awareness. October 15th is Blog Action Day. We are called to action.

What can we do? Learn more.

Visit the EPA site: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html

Visit the Blog Action Day website http://www.blogactionday.org/

Toni Josephson & Lawrence Tan