Solala’s blog 4/26/15
One of my pet peeves in the world of Daoism is the various fantastical versions of Daode Jing are out there. Like many students of the Way I have collected various translations and versions of Laozi’s work. Of course most “translations” are not actual translations from classical Chinese but are just the authors own version of idea of what he or she thinks Laozi is saying or, even worse, what the author wants to say. In this case, the […]
Solala Blog for week of 8/25
The wise one who preserves peace in his inner self encounters no dangers on his way. He can fight in a battle and not be harmed by weapons. He has nowhere for the rhinoceros to stick his horn. Tigers can find nowhere to use their claws. No weapon can harm him. Why is this? Because he has no place for death to enter. Daode Jing Chapter 50 Affirmation: If I am able to find true peace within myself […]
Solala Blog for week of 8/15/14
Allowing myself to become empty I abide in stillness. The things of this world come and go as I watch, powerful within my own being. Whatever ends comes round back again. I watch this in a tranquil and peaceful state. I allow myself to return To my original nature. In doing so I connect myself with what can be called “constant renewal.” To truly understand this process can be seen as “illumination.” To not understand that things come and […]
It’s All Relative: Solala’s Blog for week of 8/11/14
There was once a rich man from the country of Chou. He had a huge estate and many workers, who he drove unmercifully. Day after day they toiled under the hot sun to fill the coffers of the rich man. One of these was an old man who had been working for the rich man’s family for many years. His body was nearly worn out with hard work and little rest; his muscles were stringy and his breath came in […]
Fire in the Belly: Solala’s blog for 8/4/2014
We talk a lot about the lower dantian in qigong training. Actually we use it also in meditation and nei dan (internal alchemy) practice as well. The lower dantian, while the first (if you count from the bottom) of three dantians, it is considered the foundation level. As in building a house, we have to start at the bottom, rather than at the top. Many people, on first learning meditation, want to start at […]
Solala Blog 7/16/14
The black girl dog is Lili — short for Lilikoi (Passionfruit) — and the brown boy dog who always smiles and saved Lili’s life when she had kidney troubles as a pup is Koa (like the Hawaiian hardwood). I’ve just returned from a trip to Boulder and Denver. In Boulder I did a short presentation to some of the good folks at Sounds True, my new publisher. It was great to meet some of the people I […]
Solala blog 5/28
Daoist Nature Meditation There was something formed in chaos, coming before heaven and earth, existing in the silent and tranquil void. it stands alone and unchanging, It pervades everywhere without becoming exhausted, it is the mother of heaven and earth. I do not know its name and so call it Dao. For want of a better word I call it great. Being great it is far reaching. It is far reaching yet it returns to its source. Therefore I […]
The Way of Wu Wei (Solala’s blog for week of 6/17)
In Chapter 9 of the Daode Jing Laozi says, Overfilling a vessel is not as good as stopping before it is filled. Oversharpen a blade and it will lose its edge. Pile up gold and jade and it will be impossible to guard it. In going after rank and titles in an arrogant and haughty way you will bring about your own downfall. Withdraw when the work is done. This is the way of Dao. […]
Speaking without Speaking
Solala’s Blog for the week of 2/25 My computer died a week and a half ago and I have been mourning it ever since. I have been without a computer and have had to borrow my girlfriend’s as a back up. Unfortunately, none of my programs are on it and I cannot do the usual projects. It is amazing how much I depend on it! Of course I don’t need a computer do practice qigong or meditation. These things are […]
China Tour
A Journey into Daoist China with Solala Towler Hangzhou • Wuyi Mountains • Chengdu • Qingcheng Mountain October 12-27 2019 Join us this October as we explore Daoist China…we will begin our journey in Hangzhou where we will go boating upon the famous West Lake, visit the temple of the famous Daoist alchemist Ge Hong and drink tea at some of the traditional teahouses there…then we will take a fast train to the beautiful Wuyi Mountains in southern China, a […]
