The Daily Reviewer | Gathering Wisdom

History of Shaolin from Grand Master Shi Deru, Shawn (Xiangyang) Liu

Mar 4, 2010 1:18am

This is a very interesting and detailed history of Shaolin from a true Shaolin Master from the original Shaolin Temple in Henam Province, China. As with all ancient history, this account differs a little from others I have read. The great Master he learned from is listed on an official...

5 Principles of Internal Tai Chi

Feb 21, 2010 4:00am

I am taking a nice and relaxing break to absorb as many events as possible in the Winter Olympics and will be back soon afterwards to share some more tips and techniques I have learned and incorporated into my Tai Chi Practice. Until then, here is a list of the...

Basic Alignment and Relaxation for Tai Chi: Personal Tips from My Experience

Feb 2, 2010 3:43am

Tai Chi is very beautiful to watch when performed by a skilled practitioner. It looks so effortless and easy. To move so effortlessly, though, requires years of daily practice. The body has to be completely retrained to correct the bad habits we learn starting in early childhood. When the Ego...

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Warm-up Exercises

Jan 23, 2010 5:21am

When training in any physically demanding endeavor, it is very important to start each session with a good warm-up routine. This is especially true with Tai Chi because you not only need to Practice with a relaxed body but you must also have a relaxed and Centered mind. Below is...

Please Help Haiti: Compassion is at the Core of Our True Nature

Jan 14, 2010 6:15pm

All teachings of the "One Truth" by every true Sage throughout history has focused on Compassion for our fellow men without regard to who they are . Compassion to the point of Pure Empathy is at the Core of our True Nature. I heard some of the initial broadcasts from...

The Empty Space Revisited

Jan 5, 2010 3:42am

I answered a question long ago on a Taoist Master's blog that ask, "What is the empty space?". I was relaxing just now when this question popped into my mind again. This imagery appeared to me of myself standing in the midst of our Source or God but with these...

Christmas: The Real Reason for Celebration

Dec 24, 2009 4:08am

This is the Christmas holiday season again and my favorite time of the year. We All have so many reasons to celebrate here in the United States because most of us have something to eat, a roof over our heads, and no war raging around us. We are all truly...

The Path of Practice

Dec 12, 2009 1:26am

I am writing these posts on T'ai Chi Ch'uan to help everyone interested in learning this incredible "tool" for mastering yourself and rediscovering the Divine within us All, our True Nature. This "Way", this Path, is at the core of the teachings of every Sage to ever walk this earth...

Tai Chi and Taoism

Dec 1, 2009 12:17am

Here is an article explaining the correlation of Tai Chi and Taoism. The two are so fully integrated that the Practice of Tai Chi is Taoism expressed and is thus a true Path to Enlightenment. A worthy Path with Heart indeed!Namaste'There exists a long history of movement and exercise systems...

The Ten Guiding Principles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Nov 23, 2009 3:26am

The practice of Tai Chi requires you to learn how to properly align, balance, and move your body. Beginning in early childhood, you soon start learning bad habits in your posture, balance, movement, and proper breathing. These bad habits cause you to waste a lot of energy and can eventually...

The Happiest Man in the World

Nov 17, 2009 11:56pm

This is the most wonderful and enlightening interview I have ever heard! Please take the time to listen to this for you will not be...

Essentails for Proper Tai Chi Practice and Mastery

Nov 11, 2009 12:52am

Below are two Tai Chi Ch'uan Classics written by the two of the greatest Masters in history. These two classics explain the principles that must be incorporated into your practice and application of the art. I have been researching Tai Chi for many years and find that these interpretations by...

THE TREATISE ON T'AI CHI CH'UAN

Nov 5, 2009 3:57am

T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Tai Chi, as most people know it, is called the Supreme Ultimate for a very good reason. It is the Ultimate martial art and more importantly, it is a true Path to Enlightenment. Everything worthwhile in life takes time and dedication to achieve. Tai Chi is...

My Calling: A Letter to a Friend

Oct 29, 2009 2:46am

I have been teaching one thing or another for most of my life but I never considered it to be My Calling in life, My Destiny. It took a very special message from an Angel or Spiritual Guide and many years of following my Path with Heart before I finally...

Mindfulness and Kindness: Inner Sources of Freedom and Happiness (Repost)

Oct 22, 2009 1:43am

I just realized that I never posted the resources on Mindfulness as I promised. I am sure there are many people interested in learning how to live a more Mindful life so please forgive me for this omission. This occurred to me while helping a new friend in need of...

Shaolin: The Root of Taijiquan

Oct 18, 2009 3:13am

I have read several books by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming over the years and still use his two books on Tai Chi Chuan as references to advance my knowledge of this incredible martial art. His books are the most detailed ones I have ever seen and I recommend them to everyone...

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The Cab Ride: Our True Nature in Action

Oct 4, 2009 6:50pm

Hello My Friends! I was so touched by this story a friend sent me today that I wanted to pass it on to you. Hopefully we can all slow down a little and realize how important being kind to everyone is. May you all be inspired...

A Special Thank You to My Readers

Oct 2, 2009 8:42pm

I was very surprised when I received an email from Angelina Mizaki, Selection Committee President at The Daily Reviewer website notifying me that my blog, Gathering Wisdom, was voted into the Top 100 Taoism Blogs. Here is her message:"Congratulations! Your readers have submitted and voted for your blog at The...

A Brief Description of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Sep 25, 2009 2:01am

Sitting meditation is the best way to learn to relax your mind and body. The natural deep breathing is the tool you use to focus the mind and calm the internal dialogue. As the mind focuses on each breath and calms your mind, it also relaxes your body.This allows your...

"Moon On Lake" Taoist Visualization Meditation

Sep 18, 2009 11:34pm

Visualization is a powerful technique for focusing your energy and learning to move effortlessly. This is used in the moving meditation of Tai Chi. With practice, you can learn to replace left-brain thoughts with the infinite clarity of right-brain imagery. This can be a very useful way to remember events...

Meditatiion Postures and 100 Breath Counting Meditation

Sep 12, 2009 8:53pm

Here is the next section from the Art of Meditation by Sifu Philip Bonifonte. A proper meditation posture is necessary to achieve the best results from your meditation. Below are descriptions of the three types of meditation postures used to facilitate a state of complete relaxation and achieve the...

Breathing Exercises

Sep 8, 2009 12:44am

The exercises below will help you to relearn proper breathing and experience the relaxation and power that we are supposed to have. Reverse breathing is used in martial arts to generate incredible power and should be practiced with great care. I think you will be fine if you remain patient...

BREATHING - General Rules About Breathing

Sep 5, 2009 12:31am

After the last series of posts about mindfulness, or meditation, it is now time to focus on breathing correctly. In order to achieve the best results from daily meditation, you must know the proper way to breath. We are born so perfect but it does not take very long for...

Mindfulness and Kindness: Inner Sources of Freedom and Happiness

Sep 4, 2009 11:30pm

I just realized that I never posted the resources on Mindfulness as I promised. I am sure there are many people interested in learning how to live a more Mindful life so please forgive me for this omission. This occurred to me while helping a new friend in need of...