Just got back from our fall retreat (gasshuku), and some of the powerful elements: the theme “Gratitude and Grace” as we work through with our longtime instructor and friend Joe Z. his experience of chemotherapy and our mutual support…The image of the muntjac deer on the gasshuku brochure with the theme of “encountering” the world and the interdependence that can … Read More
First time with fire sword
This weekend had my first experience swinging the blazing fire sword, as they say, my “virgin burn.” I hadn’t planned on it, had just mentioned to friend Jessie Jewels, who teaches “flow arts,” including the fire hoop, that I’d like to try the fire sword sometime. “Let’s do it now!” she replied. So there it was, my first time with … Read More
An extraordinary run on ocean trails in Australia
Had one of my best runs ever today – up a mountain trail I discovered by chance here in Victoria Australia. Past some waterfalls, up mountain stairs, startled two kangaroos, out to Castle Rock lookout with an exhilarating (and terrifying) view. I’m not a “serious” runner, but sometimes when the land is so gorgeous, it feels good to spend everything, … Read More
Is it Spring yet haiku, 3/5/17
Some warm days then cold / hard to know what’s next, but still / little nubs reach up
Thich Nhat Hahn Meditation: Three Stones
I was fortunate many years ago to attend a 5 day mindfulness retreat with meditation teacher, peace activist, and poet Thich Nhat Hahn, much admired world wide for his work, including the book Present Moment Wonderful Moment. Our days were spent in walking meditation, sitting meditation, mindful eating, lectures, and small group meetings. One of the powerful techniques I learned … Read More
How to defend yourself from a pumpkin with a sword
If you’re ever menaced by a bad pumpkin, here’s one technique. Of course, the best approach is to just walk away from the pumpkin, or avoid it in the first place.
“Jewel words shining in the world”
When you get most of your exercise running around through the woods with a stick, you start to notice changes over time. And now, here in New England in the Fall, I’m aware of leaves…the way sunlight can fall on them through the trees and light them like jewels — golden, red, brown, green — shining beyond me as I as … Read More
Barefoot and rolling around in the grass
It’s one of those sunny October days that feels like an early September day, doing keiko (Shintaido practice) outside, barefoot under a blue sky. It’s an old-timey practice, without sticks, doing some of the roots movements, going down on our knees, cutting our partner, rolling. To be honest, knee walking and rolling are not my favorites. More of a shorter, Japanese body … Read More
Standing in the new world
I’ve been practicing the Diamond Eight Cut in the mornings pretty regularly now. With wooden sword, slowly cutting across, up, down, across. Not just waving the stick around, but feeling the cut with my body as I draw the blade across the space. Cutting the space around me — cutting through things I’ve gotten stuck on. Opening the space around … Read More
New moves with a wooden sword: cutting and blessing
I enjoyed a special workshop with Shintaido Master Instructor Ito Sensei this last weekend, arriving from France with new movements being developed in Europe. I had already practiced an early version of these movements (part of a new kenjutsu form), but good to see them in their latest evolution. So what were the moves? They both involve use of the … Read More