TAIJI SWORD

Taiji sword work is completely different from iaido sword work. First, the sword is much lighter, which affects the movement of the blade through space. Second, the double-edged blade means I don't have to be as aware about which way the blade is facing. Third, the movements are slower and more deliberate, even though they aren't necessarily less powerful or dynamic.

This morning, I started working on "body geometry" (my term for it) with Master Shirley. The primary focuses of these early lessons were economy of movement, relaxed form, the sword as an extension of the arm, and moving along a plane. It has been great to remove rigidity from my stances, to apply circular motions toward the angles of the sword and my body, and to learn (again) how to channel energy as it spirals up from the ground while my body moves but my arms mostly don't (at least in relation to my body).

ZERO at the BONE

That moment when you encounter a kindred soul.

In my recent faith explorations, I have discovered many overlapping books, articles, and authors. Books on Buddhism have pointed me to journals on Christianity. One of those is Comment magazine. A review on the Comment website of Christian Wiman's book Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair found me immediately driving to a nearby bookstore to pick up a copy for my upcoming "bachelor weekend."

I'm finding this mix of poems, quoted passages, short essays, meditations on life and death, and observations on God and faith speaks to my soul. This is the book that I needed for the here and the now. Amen!

SUNBATHING

The Dog sunbathes in some winter sunshine while TWT gardens.

FAKE CONFIDENCE

"I miss [my old teacher Miriam's] knack of knowing me and looking like all the answers of life belonged to her, even the impossible ones. I am an adult now and I feel no such surety; I hope I fake confidence as well as she did. Perhaps that is the role of a responsible person—to fake the confidence he doesn't feel so that the young can believe in something. Except there are no young ones any more. I'm not sure who I'm faking for."

—The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley

NIMONA

Tonight was Oscar Nominees movie night.

First up was "Live Action Short Film" The After (2023) directed by Misan Harriman. This film is the right length. Any longer and it would have lost its punch. A meditation on loss and grief. This one is a must see. Streaming on Netflix.

 
Next up was "Animated Feature Film" Nimona (2023) directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane. I had no idea what this would entail. It's a mix of mythology and monsters. But it's really a challenge to our current culture and the notion of conformity, or lack thereof. And it's about inclusivity (at the greatest end of the spectrum) and tolerance (at the least). And about the walls we build, literally and metaphorically. And about breaking down walls. And love. I will definitely be seeing this again. It was very well done. Streaming on Netflix.

WHITE RIVER DISC GOLF COURSE

It's been a while since I've played at White River.

I headed out this morning in 31ºF chill and was on the course before 8:00 a.m. I had the park to myself, except for a couple of walkers. When I left, just before 9:00 a.m., it had warmed to a balmy 35ºF but the sun was shining so it somewhat countered the cold.

If there was a tree, I hit it. And this course has a LOT of trees. To my credit, though, I had a lot of chain skims and basket hits. But those don't count as in, so those extra easy shots added up.

I had an excellent time, so the cold and trees and misses were all worth it!

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Hole 1 - 3
Hole 2 - 3
Hole 3 - 3
Hole 4 - 5
Hole 5 - 6
Hole 6 - 5
Hole 7 - 4
Hole 8 - 4
Hole 9 - 3
Front nine - 36 (+9)

Hole 10 - 5
Hole 11 - 4
Hole 12 - 4
Hole 13 - 3
Hole 14 - 4
Hole 15 - 3
Hole 16 - 3
Hole 17 - 4
Hole 18 - 4
Back nine - 34 (+7)

Total - 70 (+16)

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Since the last time I played, they put up new signage for the "short" course (red course), which was helpful. Plus there are red arrows hanging in the trees near baskets, pointing you to the next hole. Thanks to whomever took the time, energy, and effort to make the course very navigable.

BREATHING UNDER WATER

For the past few years, I have felt myself to be in spiritual exile (which is a bit ironic since I work for a church), so I finally decided to do something about it. I have enrolled in a 15-week online course: Breathing Under Water through the Center for Action and Contemplation, based upon the work of Father Richard Rohr.

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In addition to course work, videos, discussion forums, and the like that open each week, the core texts I am reading: 

1. Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps.
2. Breathing Under Water Companion Journal, which is really a study guide with additional explorations and questions.
3. New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton.

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What is fascinating to me, is the overlap of mystical Christianity, Zen Buddhism, and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. I'm intrigued by the places where they find common ground, where they differ, and where they move forward into a better, beautiful world, lifting up others around them and into fellowship with the Divine (God).

PLU MEADOWS

My best 9-hole round of disc golf at PLU Meadows today! Two under par!

Hole 1 / par 3 - 3
Hole 2 / par 3 - 3
Hole 3 / par 4 - 3
Hole 4 / par 3 - 3
Hole 5 / par 3 - 3
Hole 6 / par 4 - 4
Hole 7 / par 3 - 3
Hole 8 / par 4 - 4
Hole 9 / par 4 - 3
Front nine / par 31 - 29 (-2)

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My body felt loose. My mind felt empty. The discs went where they needed to go.

I didn't overthink what I was playing. I just followed the discs down the fairway and into the basket.

POOR THINGS

The Wife and I saw Poor Things (2023) directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, at The Grand Cinema in Tacoma.

Poor Things is perverse in many senses of the word, an absolute delight, and peak Lanthimos. The film is a coming-of-age story with a twist. It examines the prison of existence, misogyny, and freedom. Prepare to see a lot of naked skin. It takes place in a steampunk Europe that easily could have been. Highly enjoyable!

爪 / TSUME

A new sword joins my family of weapons. The "fourth beast" is different from all the rest, in that she is a Chinese sword rather than Japanese. Also, she is a one-handed weapon and double-sided. She is used in tai chi, qigong, and meditation.

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爪 / tsume / claw

jian / unsharpened Chinese straight sword

Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet.

—DANIEL 7:19

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頤 / ago / jaw
"Musashi oar" suburito / heavy oak wooden sword

Then he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached down and took it, and with it he killed a thousand men. And Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men.”
—JUDGES 15:15-16

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舌 / shita / tongue
katana iaito / unsharpened long sword

In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.
—REVELATION 1:16

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牙 / kiba / fang
wakizashi iaito / unsharpened short sword

Fire and hail and famine and pestilence, all these have been created for vengeance; the fangs of wild animals and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction. —ECCLESIASTICUS 39:29-30