Life and Death

The drama of  Continental Airline’s pilot, Craig Lenell, dying suddenly of natural causes, in flight between Brussels and Newark, caught our attention. Our daily distractions often allow us to ignore a truth until something frightening happens and forces us to face reality. We get the message: death comes unexpectedly.

The Martial Way

As Evolving Martial Artists our passion for delving deeply to the roots of the martial way ultimately leads to the fundamental mystery of life and death. Think about it: in its original form, martial arts is one of the only pursuits, unlike sports, music, art and literature, that focuses attention and preparation on every possible life and death situation. These are the basics.

TanDao Philosophy

In Tandao, the basics comprise only part of the journey. There is a greater awareness. In our holistic model of tandao, the essence of our consciousness is represented as an equilateral triangle with a circle in the center. In geometry, it is with three sides that an enclosure is formed and structure begins. For all things, it is the measure of possibilities. At each of the 3 intersecting points there is: the warrior (body), the scholar (mind) and the monk (compassion/emotion). The striving for a balanced integration of the warrior/scholar/monk (body/mind/heart) is essential. The true power lies in the circle at the center. This represents the fourth point – the unifying center of being. This the master.

Martial Arts Training

In the martial arts, training can create a keen awareness of our human mortality. If we look at this holistically, this awareness is not just about the warrior conquering fear to act decisively and effectively during a deadly encounter. The scholar understands the mechanism of fear in the role of the detached observer. The presence of the monk in the martial way consciously develops an awareness and sensitivity to the interconnection of life itself.

Practicing meditation and the moving meditation of Tai Ji, Aikido and our TanDao forms, moving can help us to be fully present in the here and now of our daily lives. The seemingly mundane activities of doing dishes, driving to work, cooking dinner or interacting with others then become little miracles. With clarity and sensitivity we smell the roses we normally ignore.

For the Evolving Martial Artist, the fourth point is the ideal of the master. It is an integrated individual who is consciously  balancing the warrior, scholar and monk. In doing so, we can elevate our consciousness of the hidden mystery inherent in every instant. So, when that inevitable moment does come, no matter how unexpectedly, we would have lived our lives fully. Feel your life now, take 3 breaths.

Lawrence Tan & Toni Josephson

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