Philosophy

The Goal of Zhandouli

The Goal of Zhandouli

When you practice Baguazhang, your attacker will be confused because he cannot know what you will do and you also will not know what you are about to do but your body will know instinctively how to react.” Li, Long-dao Martial ability (zhandouli ) is a term we use frequently in Jiulong Baguazhang.  At...
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Matter in Motion: The Physics of Jiulong Baguazhang

Jiulong instructor Barry Solway in Colorado offers a very impressive analysis of the physical properties of the Nine Dragon methods.  This is a fascinating exploration which helps us understand the Jiulong movements from the perspective of physics and provides a clear explanation of what happens when we correctly apply the methods. There is no...
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Tibetan Qigong

Tibetan Qigong

Here is an article written by Bernie Jackson, a Jiulong student. He outlines his experience with a Tibetan practice involving trees and the much misunderstood concept of beginner’s mind. Of particular note is his scientific training (he holds a masters degree in electrical engineering). He talks about his experience with this practice as an...
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Void

Void To make the soul The eye of the hurricane To make the spirit A still pool To let the eyes Reflect the depth of sky To make the will A silent arrow To make one’s purpose An unresisting river To root the center Like the earth embracing oak To have a heart of...
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What is The Dragon?

What is The Dragon?

Jiulong Journal readers will remember this guy. He posed the question, “Play with me and someday I will show you something. What do I mean?” So what does this mean? The answer to this question takes us into the realm of spontaneous action. First, let’s identify the Dragon. He’s a reference to the any...
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Root Cause of Illness and Healing

Root Cause of Illness and Healing

Illness comes to us all at some time in our lives. There are hundreds of mitigating factors that cause it to appear in our bodies. We can talk about the nerves, the flow of blood and lymph and how to adjust these things and that is part of what good daily circle walking especially...
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Perfect Practice – a personal story

Several years ago I read a phrase which has stayed with me ever since. “If practice makes perfect, imagine what perfect practice would do.” I thought this to not only be an excellent use of words, but one which contained one of those slightly hidden truths, the answer for which one would have to...
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Imagine the Gompa

Look into your mind’s eye. That fleeting part of your awareness that can see remembered images and create new ones. You know how to do this. You’ve known it since you were a child. When you were young you called it pretending. “Let’s pretend we’re tigers.” yelled a friend, and a chorus of high...
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Yin, Yang, and Dao

Yin & Yang & Dao Many people practice Chinese martial arts both internal and external. They talk about Yin and yang and Dao. The question is, how many truly understand the implications of these terms and how they apply to the philosophy of the health and martial practice known as Baguazhang or any other...
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