The Quiet Garden Before Dusk

At the edge of a monastery was a small walled garden. I entered just before dusk, when the shadows grew long and bees made their final rounds. Peonies bloomed in one corner, heavy and still, while a frog croaked once at the edge of the pond.

A monk sweeping the stone path paused to greet me. “This is a good time to sit,” he said. “Not much to do, and nothing left to want.”

So I stayed. I watched the golden light fall over every leaf and stone, softening the edges of everything.

“May is when the world opens,” the monk said quietly. “But it opens in silence.”

As the light faded, the stillness deepened. Not empty of life – but full of it, in a quiet way.

The River’s Edge in May

I followed the river as it ran bright and full through the May countryside, its banks thick with reeds and wildflowers. Everything shimmered—sunlight on water, dragonflies in mid-air, even the smooth stones beneath the surface.

I sat on a large rock, letting my toes dip into the cold stream. Time faded.

A fisherman further down the bank called out. “You waiting for a catch?”

“No net,” I replied, smiling.

“Best kind,” he said, returning the smile. “The river gives more when you take nothing from it.”

The water moved on, never pausing, never rushing. No force, no struggle – just flow. And in that quiet, so did I.

A Breeze Beneath the Hills

On a sunlit afternoon, I climbed the low hills that rose beyond the village, each step drawing me closer to the sky. The wind picked up as I reached the ridge, cool and playful, tugging at my sleeves and hair.

I stood still, letting it pass through me. All around, the grasses bent and waved, and the swallows turned in wide, graceful arcs overhead.

Nearby, a man sat cross-legged in the grass, sketching with a stick in the dust.

“What are you drawing?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he replied. “Just following the breeze.”

There was no need to understand it further. The wind was enough. The hillside was enough. Sometimes, it is not thought or effort that brings peace – but the gentle release of both.

The Blossom-Fall Path

A narrow path wound through an orchard where the petals of apple blossoms had begun to fall. They fluttered down with the breeze like pale pink snow, settling into a soft blanket on the grass. I walked slowly, the ground beneath my feet whispering with every step.

Each petal, I thought, had bloomed with all its strength—and now, without struggle, was letting go.

An old gardener pruning a nearby tree looked up and nodded. “This is how spring teaches,” he said. “The flower doesn’t cling. It returns to the soil, and the tree begins again.”

It struck me: there is harmony in release, and balance in knowing when the time has come to yield. I walked on, my steps quieter now.

Beneath the Canopy of Full Green

By mid-May, the trees had become lush with leaves. What once had been bare silhouettes were now complete shelters of green. I wandered into the woods, where the sun filtered through in speckled patterns, dappling the path ahead.

I found an old stone bench beneath a maple and sat, watching how the wind played with the leaves above. There was no urgency, no need for great insight – only the soft hush of wind through branches, and the peace of being.

A gentle voice spoke near me. I hadn’t noticed the old man with a walking stick who had arrived quietly on the other side of the bench.

“The leaves are like thoughts,” he said, gazing upward. “So many, fluttering, overlapping. But they all belong to the same tree. The same root.”

I smiled. “And the trunk?”

“The heart-mind,” he answered.

I closed my eyes then and sat with that truth. Let the thoughts come. Let them go. I would stay rooted.

The Sea’s Gentle Rhythms

In late May, I reached the coast. The sea lay stretched before me like a sleeping dragon, breathing with the rhythm of the tide. I wandered the shoreline, the cool waves teasing my ankles, the sand shifting beneath each step.

Far out, a sailboat moved slowly across the horizon. It didn’t seem to be in any hurry. The seagulls called above it, dipping and circling, their voices carrying far on the wind.

A woman walked by, collecting driftwood and shells in her scarf. She paused when she saw me gazing out at the waves.

“It never stops moving,” she said, following my eyes. “But it never hurries either. That’s the sea. That’s the Tao.”

I nodded, struck by the same thought. The sea yields and reshapes. It doesn’t resist the shore – it embraces it. And yet it carves cliffs over centuries.

That night, I listened to the waves from where I lay, letting their rhythm wash through me like breath. A practice in presence, a lesson in letting go.

The Market’s Quiet Moments

In a small town square, the Saturday market was winding down. Where there had been crowds and chatter, only a few stalls remained. A flute player sat in the shade, offering soft notes to no one in particular. The scent of ripe peaches hung in the air.

I wandered among the final baskets of herbs, handmade soaps, and half-eaten pastries. The noise had faded, leaving only the warmth of the afternoon and the hum of bees drawn to sweetness.

At one stall, an old woman offered me a small bunch of lavender. “Not to buy,” she said. “Just to hold.”

I took it, surprised by the weightless calm it brought. “Why?” I asked.

“To remind you,” she smiled, “that even in the midst of activity, stillness is possible. The heart-mind doesn’t live only in the mountains.”

That evening, I placed the lavender on the windowsill of my room. Its scent lingered, quiet and persistent, long after the sun had set.

The Scent of Rain on Warm Earth

It had rained in the night. By morning, the sun had returned, gentle but sure, bathing the landscape in golden light. As I walked a narrow trail between fields of tall grass and blooming hawthorn, the scent rose to greet me – rich, loamy, alive.

There is a particular aroma that only comes after rain in spring: earth made soft by water, warmth stirring the root-bound breath of the soil. I paused, eyes closed, and drew it deep into my lungs.

A farmer, passing by with a wheelbarrow of seedlings, gave me a nod. “It’s the smell of things ready to grow,” he said simply.

His words settled in me. I thought of how the Tao nourishes – not only with movement but also stillness, with silence as much as with speech. Just as the earth receives the rain without resistance, so too can we receive the moment – without pushing, without pulling, simply allowing the next thing to grow.

Understanding the Monastic Roots of Baguazhang

Introduction

Baguazhang (八卦掌), translated as “Eight Trigrams Palm,” is a Chinese internal martial art known for its distinctive circular movements and fluid footwork. While it is widely practiced today for both martial and health benefits, its origins are deeply rooted in monastic traditions, particularly within Daoist practices.

Historical Background

The development of Baguazhang is closely associated with Dong Haichuan (董海川), a 19th-century martial artist. Dong is credited with integrating various martial techniques he encountered during his travels with the Daoist practice of circle walking meditation. This synthesis led to the creation of Baguazhang as a formal martial art.

Circle Walking Meditation

Central to Baguazhang is the practice of circle walking, a method derived from Daoist meditation techniques. Practitioners walk along a circular path, maintaining specific postures and focusing on breath control. This practice serves multiple purposes:

Physical Conditioning: Enhances balance, coordination, and flexibility.
Internal Energy Cultivation: Promotes the circulation of qi (vital energy) throughout the body.
Mental Focus: Develops concentration and mindfulness.

The circular motion reflects the Daoist understanding of natural cycles and the continuous flow of energy in the universe.

^{Baguazhang Circle Walking and Palm Change – Source: https://www.mountharmonyfarm.com/Pakua2.html}

Monastic Influence

In monastic settings, particularly within Daoist temples, circle walking was more than a physical exercise; it was a spiritual discipline. Monks used this practice to align themselves with the principles of the I Ching (Book of Changes), which emphasizes the dynamic balance of opposites and the constant state of flux in the natural world.

Martial Applications

Beyond its meditative aspects, Baguazhang’s techniques are highly effective in combat scenarios. The art emphasizes:

Evasive Footwork: Allows practitioners to maneuver around opponents strategically.
Dynamic Striking: Utilizes palm strikes delivered from various angles.
Continuous Movement: Maintains fluidity to adapt to changing situations during combat.

These principles make Baguazhang a versatile martial art, suitable for self-defense and adaptable to various combat situations.

Conclusion

Baguazhang stands as a testament to the integration of spiritual practice and martial prowess. Its monastic roots highlight the importance of internal development alongside physical training. Today, practitioners continue to explore Baguazhang not only as a means of self-defense but also as a path to personal growth and harmony with the natural world.

References

For further exploration, consider visiting local martial arts schools or online platforms that offer instructional materials and classes on Baguazhang.

The Returning Swallows

I had not noticed the silence until I heard it broken—a high-pitched cry slicing through the sky. Looking up, I saw them: sleek, dark-winged swallows gliding above, looping effortlessly through the air.

A woman, feeding birds at the edge of the pier, followed my gaze. “The swallows have returned,” she said, tossing a handful of crumbs to the pigeons at her feet.

“They were gone all winter?” I asked.

She nodded. “They travel far, chasing warmth, but they always find their way back.” She smiled, watching them dart through the sky. “They remind us that no matter how far we drift, we can always return.”

I stood there for a while, watching their effortless motion, their certainty in the unseen forces guiding them home. And I thought about my own path, the journeys yet to come, and the quiet pull that would one day bring me back again.

The Cherry Blossoms’ Impermanence

In the heart of the city park, the cherry trees had begun their brief, breathtaking bloom. Their soft pink petals fluttered like confetti with each passing breeze, filling the air with the faintest hint of sweetness. Beneath one of the largest trees, an elderly woman sat on a bench, watching as petals drifted down like snow.

I sat beside her, drawn by the peaceful scene. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured.

She nodded. “And fleeting.” She reached out, catching a single petal in her palm before it slipped away. “That’s what makes it special.”

I watched as the delicate pink blossoms trembled in the wind, their time already ticking toward an inevitable fall. “It reminds me how quickly things pass.”

She smiled. “Yes. But that is why we must be present. Appreciate the bloom while it lasts. Because soon, it will be gone, and only the memory will remain.”

As the breeze stirred again, I closed my eyes and let myself feel it fully—the beauty, the impermanence, the preciousness of now.

The First Thunder

The air had been heavy all afternoon, the sky painted in deep hues of gray. I could feel the weight of an impending storm, though the earth beneath my feet was still dry. Then, as I climbed a sloping hill, it came—a distant, rolling growl across the heavens.

The first thunder of spring.

An old man stood at the hilltop, leaning on a wooden staff. He turned toward me with a knowing nod. “Spring wakes with a roar,” he said, eyes scanning the horizon.

I stopped beside him, watching the sky shift, the wind carrying the storm’s scent. “It’s different from winter’s silence,” I said.

He smiled. “Because winter teaches us to endure. But spring? Spring teaches us to move.”

As the wind picked up and the first raindrops kissed my skin, I felt it—something stirring deep within, answering the call of change.