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

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 lessons@thepeacefuldragon.com.Please 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:lessons@thepeacefuldragon.com

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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.

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