Chang

The European Union is nothing more nor less than a nightmare and i am all too well aware that even when we have finally shaken ourselves free from its shackles (no easy task with drips like Theresa May as prime Minister) it will still remain couchant on our doorstep. I watched Last Night of the Proms last weekend and its spectacle was rather spoiled by the sight of numerous buffoons in the crowd waving EU flags and sporting EU berets. Apparently Fifth Columnists were handing them out to willing promenaders for free. I consoled myself with the thought that the Proms has long been the haunt of upper middle class trendy lefties and Liberals. Rest assured that my disappointment with the Proms has more than been made up for with Apech finally starting to show the rudiments of common sense. There may even be hope for Buck Sternbach though I rather doubt it, his arguments still having more holes than a Swiss cheese.

This is a strange change in your viewpoint Apech. One could almost believe that you are at last seeing a bit of sense but still I have my doubts.

Any mention of John Chang or More Pie should set the alarm bells ringing. These people never disappoint.

I have heard that Lishi are now going down the route of Tao-chiao and that Desmond has had himself ordained as a Taoist Priest, setting up a temple in Leeds. Looks like it could all be getting a bit cult like which is sad.

Off the beaten path March to a different drum My feet firm planted

yes this and no that Right wrong, good bad yin and yang Oh which way to turn?

Bruce's work on energy, energy body manipulation, development and healing was well worth looking at. It is available for free download at http://www.innerworlddesigns.com/circle/book12/pdf/Robert Bruce - New Energy Ways.pdf I do feel however that, like so many others, he has lost his way when wandering into the fields of astral travel and psychic self defence. If that is your thing then well and good but if you take a look at some of his recent offerings on YouTube then you may hear the ringing of warning bells.

How we do love to debate and discuss concepts and yet only succeed in their obfuscation. Lau Tzu was keen to point out that "My words are very easy to understand." Whilst the Old Boy may have said this with his tongue well and truly in his cheek yet it still holds true. The problem with interpreting such concepts as the uncarved block is that they can be viewed at many levels and we can only achieve understanding from the level of consciousness we have achieved. In this respect it is similar to reading the Tai Chi classics. Whilst didactic in nature we can only really understand what is described when we can already achieve it. As such it would be useless to attempt to learn tai chi by their study but they are of immense value as signposts to show us how well we are progressing on our journey. When teaching the Taoist Internal Arts I often use the concept of return to the uncarved state as an example of letting go of the extraneous. As an example the simple act of moving from one stance and posture to another should be as simple and powerful as the flowing of a great river and can be, so long as we let go of all unnecessary movement as well as tension. This would simply be one way of looking at the return to the uncarved state. It is no great leap to see how the idea could apply to all manner of facets of our existance. As an example in meditation the return to the uncarved state would be a letting go of our monkey mind and relaxing into the peace which passeth all understanding. In matters such as these it is all too easy to lose sight of the wood for the trees and to needlessly worry as to whether we are talking about a block of stone, a block of wood or a block of jade is to miss the point entirely. Perhaps simply thinking in terms of a return to the uncarved state may better point the way or perhaps it will also end in misinterpretation and confusion. As in so much of life less thought and more silent understanding will pave the road to wisdom but this too is simply a return to the state of the uncarved block.

Liuhebafa like other internal martial arts has to be judged with care. You point out the differences shown by various practitioners but you must remember that Liuhebafa is one of the less practiced arts. Were you to view practitioners of Yang Style Tai Chi you would find a miriad of different interpretations of the form not to mention diferent levels of ability. When viewed as a martial art then the ultimate judgement must be whether or not it works as regards combat. If viewed from a New Age, touchy feely, health and wellbeing perspective then you must look to see if it is indeed good for our health. My own view is that most teachers of the Internal Arts are sadly lacking in both knowledge and ability, having little idea regarding the basic priciples on which to build a solid foundation for development. Without a solid foundation there is no prospect of realistic improvement and opening of the gateway to the miraculous. Liuhebafa is no different to any other Internal Style but it is easy to see how, owing to its scacity of teachers, it may appear as something rare and special. In reality the "rare and special" is present in all of these arts but your greatest difficulty is in finding someone with knowledge and understanding who is willing to teach it to others.

Is reflected back As per the rule of karma Sort of tit for tat

Where light must meet dark The blending of yin and yang Perfect harmony.

Where my dao blossoms In the mountains picking herbs Wherabouts unknown.

Here we go again........................................................................

Smooth shave every time The secrets in the lather Knowledge from my dad

Those viewing the western media may have noticed that in recent weeks attention has been turned to accusations against the Russian President Vladimir Putin. First we have the UK enquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. The long-awaited report into Mr Litvinenko's death found that two Russian men - Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun - deliberately poisoned the 43-year-old in London in 2006 by putting the radioactive substance polonium-210 into his drink at a hotel. The enquiry has concluded that Mr Putin is likely to have signed off the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko with polonium-210 in part due to personal "antagonism" between the pair. This obviously paints the gallant Putin as a sort of James Bond Villain but a worse picture is now being painted of him in the guise of the worlds greatest gangster. Here is a quote from The Spectator:- "The President squats on top of the ‘elite’ kleptocratic heap. Corruption entangles every layer of society, from the lowliest traffic cop to the Kremlin insiders who slurp off billions from ‘hyper-projects’ such as the Sochi Olympics. Reiderstvo — a vicious Russian form of corporate raiding which could, for example, involve bribing the security services to have the boss of a rival company thrown into jail — ensures that private property is little more than a form of words. Simulacra of democratic institutions, controlled by the Kremlin, are incapable of protecting citizens or governing effectively. Occasionally the players are staggeringly brazen. ‘The Duma is no place for debate,’ as the Speaker once famously remarked of his own parliament." Even the world of sport is not free of accusations against Russia as we are informed that the use of banned substances was both sanctioned and endemic in Russion athletics. Whilst I have no doubts whatever that there is something rotten in the State of Russia and that the rot has set in from the top down my question is why now? We have no shortage of "Rotten States" in this world of ours - Africa and the Middle East do not bear close scrutiny, yet our Western Leaders are happy to work with them. So why at this point in time are fingers being pointed at Putins Russia? Is it the thread of Russian expansion and military power? Is it the situation in Syria? Is it connected with oil and gas? Is it an attempt to find a non Islamic Bogeyman? Has anyone words of wisdom on this matter?

Living and learning By the inch it is a cinch Yard by yard life's hard.

Whilst the figures are arbitrary I find that they appear to describe the human condition pretty well. We must also remember that this is descriptive of the general character of individuals. We may well find ourselves having similar beliefs and views as the assholes whilst we are at odds with the views and opinions of the more or less alright. Consistancy lies with the idiots.

My own view is that in any given group or population of humans the following holds true. 80% Idiots 10% Assholes 10% more or less alright. There are those who argue that this is a rather negative outlook but I believe that it is correct.

My advice would be to find a teacher in or near to your home whose classes you can attend. Distance training was only ever any good for Lighthouse Keepers.

Still reading the Guardian I see Apech. I suppose it keeps you off the streets.

Born of stellar clouds We are stardust and golden Living and learning.

As I am, I am And I make no excuses I am what I am.

Best to know enough And yet not more than enough Equilibrium.

Space embraces all Sufficient unto the day Are our resources

Clang clang; cling no more Off with old and on with new Constant renewal.