Jan 09

MEDITATE

Written by Peter Robinson

This week, I just want to briefly open your mind to the variety of meanings the word meditate can have. Most people think of meditation as a single thing that many people do, but, in fact, there are many kinds of meditation, with many kinds of purposes.

On the surface, meditation means “to think deeply on, or focus one’s mind for a period of time.” And this definition is a true definition, one which encompasses all kinds of meditation. However, the intent of the meditation changes the effect of the meditation. To give you a brief series of examples:

Mike Siegman “Quiet and Humble”

Mike Siegman is the essence of humility. He’s not one to brag. He simply and quietly does his work. You’ll often see him training on his own after class, or taking a place in the back or in the corner, as he does his practice. He does not seek the spotlight, and yet, I recently had a chance to train with him, and was startled by how his practice, and his teaching skills have grown. Mike is like the masters in the Tao, “Because he doesn’t display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words.” We are honored to have Mike as a colleague and teacher.

January Self-Healing Tips

Written by Julie Festa, L.Ac.

When our economy plummeted, the mainstream finally had a realization – we need change. Many people were saying this for some time. Now that we have become this unpopular in the eyes of other nations, now that we are this much struggling in our own financial crisis, now that we are this dire for a revolution, we have finally elected for change. The nature of the earth, human beings, and the universe is change. It is only through resisting change that we incur national problems, housing market collapses, and personal illness.

Yuko Miyahara "The Perfect One"

Yuko’s smile is like the sun, ever shining, and warm on our hearts. She has a dedicated practice, taking what she learns in class, and drilling it repeatedly on her own, in her own time. Is it any wonder that Master Zi named her “Si Ma Gi,” or “the Perfect One” in her recent promotion to Sifu? The perfection she instills in her practice is the standard we’ve been given to aspire to. The joy and kindness she embodies is the gift we’ve been given to help light the way as we seek to follow in her footsteps.

A Winter Warrioress

Written by Megan Marie McDonald

The winter wind
brings upon it
a sweet nostalgia,
as I take the first step
into the pristine snow.
It fell
from the sky
like forgotten memories -
quite peaceful in it’s
pileup.
My other foot taps the surface
as it cracks
like a delicious creme brulee.
It is deceitfully beautiful.
I walk
to the center of the street,
the yellow lines
buried by my past.

I see no limits here.