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The Way of Martial Arts
Lesson 18
M O N T H L Y I N T E R A C T I V E L E S S O N S T O H E L P I
M P R O V E Y O U R D A I L Y L I F E
B Y M A S T E R E R I C S B A R G E
Music, dance, poetry, stand-up comedy, you name it, if it lacks
rhythm itfalls flat and we usually don’t like it. Why this is so is
hard to say, but Iwould venture to guess it is because our brains
are wired torecognize and appreciate rhythm and any lack of
rhythmtherefore feels unnatural and unsatisfying.
The reason a lack of rhythm feels unnatural is likelybecause
nature itself is expressed with rhythm. And we, ofcourse, are part
of nature.
The Taoists have long extolled the importance of livingin accord
with nature. To live out of sync with nature cre-ates disharmony
and disequilibrium. To live in harmonywith nature means to
recognize and tune in to the rhythm and cycles ofnature. The
purpose of this lesson is to examine some of nature’s cycles
andrhythms that we must follow to maximize our health, well being
and martial
arts skills.
C Y C L E S B I G A N D S M A L L
Music becomes louder or softer, faster or slower, morestaccato
or more drawn out. Literature mixes climactic buildup
with denouement, action with introspection, joy with sadness.A
single musical composition or novel – or kung fu form for that
matter – has dozens if not hundreds of rhythmic mini-cycles
within
You’ve Got Rhythm
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that collectively give rise to the big arcing cycle of
beginning, middle andend.
Our individual lives are much the same way. We are born, grow
up, getold, and then die – that’s the big arc. But even a big arc
is but a small arcin context. When we finish a novel we soon want
to read another novel.When our whole life is finished, another
newborn takes our place.
Rhythm can be defined by our familiar model of yin and yang. The
sub-ject at hand is either waxing or waning, becoming more yang or
more yin.Excess in either direction is disturbing, and the
principles of nature demandthat direction be reversed to regain
equanimity.
Big and small are relative terms, just as yin and yang are
relative terms.With that said, the following are some of the
rhythmic cycles within naturethat we can study – starting with the
bigger ones and going to smaller ones.
First, as mentioned above, our cycle of birth and death. It
happenswhether we like it or not, so the best we can do is learn to
accept it and livein congruence with it. If you are young, you are
in the growing part of thecycle of life. Your rhythm should be very
active, which requires good nour-ishment and a healthy lifestyle
that balances exercise and exploration withrest. If you are older,
don’t fear the end of the cycle but rather cultivateyour spirit and
appreciate the opportunities each day affords you. Conserveyour chi
and use it for positive and rewarding activities, and don’t waste
amoment of life on negative thoughts or behaviors.
The next cycle to examine is the seasonal cycle. Spring and
summerbring growth, fall and winter bring dormancy. Are you
matching yourlifestyle habits to the changing seasons? Eating,
sleeping, exercise, play, andsexual activity are all examples of
habits that should rhythmically changewith the seasons. The spring
and summer are yang, meaning it is a time forgrowth and building.
The fall and winter are yin, a time for scaling backand conserving.
Which foods are best for yang seasons, and which for yin?What kinds
of exercise are best for each season? How should we be regulat-ing
sexual and other activities? Of course the answer can be found in
Taoisttexts, or you can go right to the source where the Taoists
got their answers:Observe nature.
Then we have the monthly cycle. Traditional farmers who are
finelyattuned to nature know how important the moon’s cycles are
for growth and
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harvest. Traditional doctors are also aware of the impact of
monthlycycles on our bodies and even our emotions. Become familiar
with yourbody’s cycles each month and you can be most productive
during your upcycles, and be least debilitated by your down
cycles.
Next is the daily cycle. The same variables that impact our
seasonalwell-being impact our daily well-being: Food, sleep,
exercise, and so on.Is it better to eat more in the early part of
the day or later at night? Is ithealthier to rise early or late? If
you intuitively know the answers, that’snot by accident. We all
have a huge capacity to make the right choices ifwe follow our
“natural” intuition.
E X E R C I S E O N E
Taoists assert that we are young up to the age of 40,
middle-aged up to80, and old up to 120. Wherever you are in this
cycle, ask yourself whatkinds of actions and thoughts are most
appropriate for you to maximizeyour potential at this point in your
life? What habits might you haveacquired that inhibit your
well-being or aren’t beneficial at this stage ofyour life?
E X E R C I S E T W O
Analyze your eating habits. Are they in accord with the
seasonalcycles? You should primarily eat what comes out of the
LOCAL earth atthe time you are eating it: Dark greens and peas in
the early spring; cool-ing fruits and vegetables in the summer;
grains, squashes and related fruitsand vegetables in the late fall
and winter. If you eat meat and dairy prod-ucts, these are ok for
the body’s long-term storage needs but should beminimized during
the most active growth seasons of spring and summer.
Growing your own organic garden – even if it is a tiny patio
garden –is one of the best things you can do to re-introduce
yourself to nature’slaws and cycles. You will discover that the
principles for growing ahealthy fruit or vegetable are identical in
most respects to the principlesfor maintaining your own health and
well-being!
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A S S I G N M E N T
In the above lesson I used music and literature as examples to
help por-tray rhythm, and I mentioned that even kung fu forms have
dozens if nothundreds of rhythmic cycles within. Describe what you
think some of themost important rhythmic cycles are in one of the
following two choices:The practice of a martial arts form, or
engaging in a physical fight.
Send your thoughts to Master Sbarge at
[email protected] put “Lesson 17” in the subject
line.
R E C O M M E N D E D R E A D I N G
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of MedicineTranslated by Maoshing
Ni, Phd
You may have noticed that I have interchanged some modern books
withancient classics in my recommended reading list so far. I hope
by now youhave read – and periodically will re-read – these
essential ancient classics:Tao Te Ching, Tai Chi Classics, and Art
of War.
This month I am adding another essential Chinese classic, The
YellowEmperor’s Classic of Medicine. This book dates back at least
2500 years,yet is still studied as a primary text by acupuncturists
and traditionalChinese doctors today. Though the text gives more
detail on medical theo-ry than is relevant for most of us who
aren’t in the medical field, there is somuch information on
nature’s cycles and man’s relationship with thosecycles that this
book remains extremely relevant and useful.
SSSSEvery month a book or article will be suggested by Master
Sbarge.
Reading about topics related to the arts you are training in
will help you getthe most out of your practice. Just remember that
reading can never replaceyour practice! Each month’s recommended
reading is purely optional,though Master Sbarge may on rare
occasion ask that you do read a particu-lar book.
For additional reading suggestions by Master Sbarge, go to
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http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Emperors-Classic-Medicine-Translation/dp/1570620806/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202408085&sr=8-1http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Emperors-Classic-Medicine-Translation/dp/1570620806/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202408085&sr=8-1mailto:[email protected]
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http://www.thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml. For any book or
otheritem you purchase through The Peaceful Dragon website’s link
toAmazon.com, a percentage is automatically sent to The Peaceful
Dragon.We appreciate your support of our school.
Note: All Peaceful Dragon students are urged to complete
monthlyassignments because they are important for you to fully
benefit fromyour training.
http://www.thepeacefuldragon.com/books.shtml