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

Earth Hour is fast becoming a worldwide annual tradition. It began in Sydney, Australia two years ago. Landmarks in cities everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to the Golden Gate Bridge and Rome’s Colosseum will join the effort and stand in darkness during the hour.

The goal?
To have a billion people on March 28 switch off the lights for one hour, from 8:30 – 9:30 PM, wherever you live on the planet. It is your own personal Vote Earth to raise awareness for global warming and climate change. Be part of the world wide message and its call to action.

Learning to see in the dark
Shift your consciousness. Many spiritual traditions incorporate a darkness meditation. Often martial art systems, like ninjitsu, are practiced in darkness to cultivate a heightened awareness. If you are a martial artist or a movement practitioner, clear an area before you turn off the lights. Then move, eyes open, in the dark. Or sit quietly in the darkness. Sense the space around you. Whether you are on a hillside or in a high rise, feel fully present and alive. Visualize yourself moving through a forest on a moonless night, or hearing the waves crash on a dark shore. The dark is filled with dreams and imagination…be here now.

Without distraction you can focus on your breath, listen to your own heartbeat and be aware of all the sounds and feelings that you overlook in the light. Learn to see in the dark. It is believed that self transformation comes through self observation. Move your thoughts past yourself and out to the world. When healing moves past the ego it begins the essential healing of our human suffering. End the hour by lighting a candle and slowly returning to the light.

Learn more…

Play lights out

WWF