Shake the Dust Off Politics and Kindness

I’ll admit it now: I’ve avoided telling you about something I’m passionate about.

I figured that RealTaiji was not the place for it. I was wrong: it is the perfect place for it. I’m certain because I feel as if I cheated with my silence. I cheated because I feared that you’d run away from here, that you’d disagree and flee.

• But the vision is already here.
• And I’m certain you’re brave.

Politics is in integral part of Taiji. The definitions of the term are vague, but in a world of kindness we might simply consider it sharing. In a world of treachery: hoarding. But sharing or hoarding of what? Anything really…usually we think of how money or wealth gets distributed, but information or martial arts experience might be an important, valuable part of that wealth and the distribution of it.

Modern Politics Reveal Martial Tendencies

Like it or loathe it. Call it distribution, sharing, radical ideologies, or conservative concepts — politics surrounds us.

There are topics that we’re supposed to avoid in civilized social circles, right? Isn’t that what They say? “Avoid discussions of politics and religion.” Hmm… these things need to be flushed out and fleshed out to both broaden and refine our experiences as martial artists and as human beings. Don’t you think?

Great. Me too.

See: there’s a buttload of political issues that point to heroes and villains. Take for example…

• Villains: they’re hot these days. The Koch Brothers run empires of pollution. Governors of several States have been acting as tyrants (Mr. Scott Walker takes the cake). And everywhere are stories of tragedy and doom.
• Heroes: they’re brave. They free countries. They resist tyrants, and they risk their lives that others may see another day.

They’re stories offer us insights into many martial and healing arts issues: how to stand up for yourself with both kindness and assertion…how to not-act like a greedy fool or a belligerent tyrant…how to act with fearlessness (while feeling afraid).

No doubt, you’ve noticed my allegiance by now. My passion of following politics is biased…and, I think, it veers toward Taiji principles. I like individuals of most political persuasions and I end up cheering on kind radicals, realistic liberals, tender conservatives, and A-listers…like Anarchists.

• Taiji is, after all, a liberating art.

When we free ourselves from excess tension, drop the heavy ego, and admit that we’re tender and eccentric and eccentric and eccentric, then we’re pretty darned radical in a very personal ways.

It’s time to seek some balance in this cattywampus world. Get ready to well-up and shed some tears with me while watching this eccentric, heroic poet: Anis Mojgani…

Shake the Dust

Now go practice Taiji.