Tao Te Ching - Verse 2

video on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx4gEsajmdg/

Today I'm gonna talk about the 2nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, following the post about the 1st verse which I wrote a couple of days ago. The second verse is about the complementarity of opposites and the attitude of the sage (I recommend you to find your favorite translation of the Tao Te Ching because they are all slightly different). When I think about opposites I can clearly visualize the yin and the yang of the Taijitu. The Taiji is this famous symbol ☯️ representing the infinite movement of the yin yang in harmony, literally translated as the 'supreme ultimate (taiji) diagram (tu)'. In this second verse, there is a very important sentence about it: "So the sage lives openly with apparent duality and paradoxical unity". I think this part is essential to understand Taiji (Tai Chi) and its practice: duality and complementarity. In Tai Chi, moves are all connected, but they are all different and equally important. In this practice, the end of a move is the beginning of a new one. When I practice the 108 Taiji form I try to think about it and connect every movement, but also I try to remember the importance of each posture. I'm also attempting to apply this to my daily life, enjoying the present, but keeping in mind the great picture. I'd like to leave you with the last part of the second verse: "When the work is done, it is forgotten. That is why it lasts forever". (This translation of the Tao Te Ching is from the book: Living the wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer). The sage is someone who doesn't crave for rewards, the sage doesn't want to lead, but at the same time, because this person knows the Tao, the sage is a real inspiration. For this verse, I've chosen the third posture of the Ba Duan Jin, where the hands connect and exchange at the center (I often use this practice to prepare myself). Please remember I'm not teaching movements or postures here, but just showing them!

Tao Te Ching and Tai Chi - Verse 1

From now on, I'm gonna study the Tao Te Ching and publish some posts about it. I read this book many years ago, but now after practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong intensely for many years (and after deciding to change my approach to spirituality), I've thought it was about time to read it again under a new light. The Tao Te Ching was probably written around the 6th century BC. You can read a lot about its history and its author Lao Tze on the internet (or on many books). Tao means way, Te means virtue or integrity and Ching can be translated as classic or book. So this book can be considered a guide into Living the Way of the virtue. You can find the complete 1st verse on the internet, but I like to show you the beginning and the end of it: "The Tao can that can be told is not the eternal Tao" (first part) "And the mystery itself is the doorway to all understanding" (final part). I love these two sentences and they remind me of this Tai Chi (Taiji) posture called Wuji. Wuji means nothingness, emptiness, the great void. I'm not gonna teach you how to do it, because it requires a lot of time and practice in class, but I decided to show myself doing it. I like that one of its translation is "free man". In this posture, we are still, but moving inside, ready to start something. In this posture, I've always felt relaxed and calm and the center of myself and the universe. I think this is the right position to associate with the mystery and the eternal Tao (my personal vision). I'd like to learn this lesson from this first verse: I want to enjoy the mystery in calmness and be ready to move into something great. 

Reiwa - a wonderful gift

A wonderful present from one of my Tai Chi students. This amazing woman studies shodō (artistic Japanese writing) and from time to time she amazes me with these wonderful presents! For the end of this spring session, she gave me this paper with the new Japanese era kanji. For this new era was chosen the word: reiwa. Reiwa means beautiful harmony. Rei actually means 'command' or 'decree' and wa means 'harmony' or 'peace'. I love kanjis and the fact that they could mean different things at the same time and that there's something ancient and profound behind them. A really amazing gift!!

My latest Green shopping

My latest purchases: "Living the Wisdom of the Tao" by Dr.Wayne Dyer and Evolve Organic Beauty facial cream. 

I've decided to go back to studying the Tao and its wisdom. This time I'm gonna do it with Dr. Wayne Dyer help. I really love Wayne Dyer and his view, so I'm sure I'm gonna enjoy this journey. 

I've also decided to properly take care of my skin with this amazing product: Daily renew facial cream by @evolvebeautyuk.

This cream is organic, vegan and natural. This product contains natural peptides, hyaluronic acid, and argan. I've been using this cream for two weeks now and I'm really happy about my purchase! Thanks to @eccoverdefor shipping this product to Italy! 😍

Here we have a very inspiring Monday! Namaste 🙏🌼