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

“Poverty is the worst form of violence” – Gandhi

This Blog Action Day 2008 is for Poverty. Our TanDao subscribers know that we believe in the path of the Warrior/Scholar/Monk — our life quest is to merge the physical world with the unseen forces — energy, compassion, spirit. Strength transcends muscle, sinew and bone.

The recent economic shift has hit us broadside. Cutting back is new for many of us as we hope the market has bottomed out and will inch back up. A deeper reality comes into view with staggering loss in jobs, homes and  finances. Some of us will skip a movie, others will make the tough decision to skip a meal. What remained hidden is now painfully visible and life, as many of us have known it, is changing. And for many more, this has been a long standing struggle.

Here in the US over 37 million people live below the poverty line. Many are working one or more jobs to put food on the table. World wide over 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day, and 880 million live on less than $1. Poverty is often a trap for the ones with no voice — mired in inequality, vulnerability, powerlessness. Until now. It is beginning to touch us all. If you are not feeling the pinch, or the crushing blow, you are probably thinking about it.

The last few weeks have shown us that ours is a global economy. We are also a global community.  And it is time to cultivate responsibility. The issues affect us all. The Chinese character for “martial” means to “stop the spear”. It is to deter disaster. Fight the good fight and do what you can. Find resources. Or be a resource. Stay strong…demand no less for yourself. Will you rise, warrior?

http://blogactionday.org/

http://www.poverty.com/

http://www.freerice.com –Play to help feed the hungry.

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/2/causes-of-poverty