What is Taichi? To answer that question, we need to go back to the roots of Chinese culture – 6,000 years ago – to the story of Fuxi and NüWa. Chinese legend tells that the land was swept by a great flood in which civilization was lost and all people perished. Only Fuxi and his sister Nüwa survived. They lived on Mount Kunlun in Northern Tibet, and asked for a sign from the Emperor of Heaven to be man and wife. Their union was approved and they began to create a new human race. Fuxi is said to have showed…

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In ancient times, both Chinese and Yogic traditions developed sacred writings on the highest spiritual practices. It turns out both systems have eight branches, and they are somewhat different. Shall we compare them? In this article we look at the Eight Branches of Chinese Medicine, and the Eight Limbs of Yoga. In Eastern wisdom, medical practice and spiritual work were considered one and the same path. By noticing what the ancients believed to be the most important elements of a spiritual life, we can learn a lot about ourselves and the world around us! The 8 Yogic Branches originate from the Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali in the…

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Ancient traditions have left us artistic images of the internal sacred body. Perhaps these representations can help us visualize what’s going on inside our energy body as we cultivate higher awareness. This article shows several images of the internal body from Daoist, Chinese, Yogic, Greek and Egyptian sources. Which images resonate most strongly in your inner experience? A Sapta Cakra is a depiction of the seven chakras. This comes from a Yoga manuscript in Braj Bhasa language. 1899 British Library. This modern Tibetan medical drawing shows the cosmic gates located at Huiyin, Dantien, Heart, Throat, and Forehead.   Two wood block diagrams show the development of the “immortal fetus” in the dantien, and the flowering of consciousness…

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By Jane Barthelemy. What is your most valuable personal asset? Most people would agree that intelligence is right up at the top of the list. We spend time and effort building our appearance, and our physical assets. But how can we stimulate healthy brain function? What can we do to build intelligence? Surprisingly, scientists are now saying you’ll find intelligence in the gut. Recent studies show that a high-functioning brain is dependent upon two essential factors: a balanced nervous system, and a healthy intestinal environment. Yep, the brain and the gut are intimately connected. And both these factors are determined by the foods we eat. Certain foods cultivate a tranquil nervous system and balanced intestinal micro-biome. Other foods can stress our nerves or challenge gut bacteria. We’ve all experienced it – you eat a low-nutrient lunch, your mood…

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This is a game to help you train your mind to relax. It stimulates positive thoughts and letting go of thoughts that block your happiness. Ha Ha! There are 21 tools – just choose three, and do them every day for a week. Then pick another three, until you’ve done all that you like. No matter what your political views, many of us agree the roller coaster has left its tracks. Yes, we’re careening fast in a new direction. How does that make you feel? Well, here are a few tips and tricks to help you balance. Prepare yourself, as you know I like to think outside the box. Don’t…

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OK, will the best human diet please stand up?  What general dietary guidelines are best for all humans? Or should we all just follow the current diet craze? How about the latest US Food Pyramid? Should we try the Paleo Diet? Or is it better to eat Vegetarian? Vegan is supposed to be cleaner, but is it? Going back to basics, what percentage of your food should be leafy green veggies? How much processed food is acceptable? How much meat should you eat, if any? Are there any foods everyone should avoid? While every person’s optimum diet is unique, yes, there are a few simple guidelines that work for most every-body. Keep it…

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My workshop in Gubbio, Italy was called “How to cultivate your personal Mogadao practice and improve your health through the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine”, with Anneli Arpolahti, a talented MogaDao guide who lives in Gubbio. This is a group of serious student practitioners with much experience in Qigong and Yoga. Anneli and I spent a week planning the 3-day workshop and choosing the Qigong sequences. Our goal was to assist people to deepen and design their home practice through self-observation. We began each day with a Yoga practice led by Anneli, with a specific awareness of the 5-Elements. In Qigong,…

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A Microcosmic Journal is a diary for the purpose of deepening your spiritual awareness. It is a useful practice on the path to a complete life and a powerful tool to internalize your attention and understand yourself. Journaling helps one become a true self-observer, to process emotions and events without judgment or assumption. A journal is easy to do, and it helps to relieve stress. There’s no format to it. You can make it neat or messy, using any grammar you like. You can write as little or as much as you like, and it may serve as a useful tool to remember past events. Journalling with specific…

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