The Art of Peace

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 49

The heart of a human being is no different from the soul of heaven and earth. In your practice always keep in your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water and fire, yin and yang.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 50

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 51

There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 52

To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 53

The totally awakened warrior can freely utilize all elements contained in heaven and earth. The true warrior learns how to correctly perceive the activity of the universe and how to transform martial techniques into vehicles of purity, goodness, and beauty. A warrior's mind and body must be permeated with enlightened wisdom and deep calm.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 54

Always practice the Art of Peace in a vibrant and joyful manner.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 55

It is necessary to develop a strategy that utilizes all the physical conditions and elements that are directly at hand. The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 56

A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 57

The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move freely. The physical center is your belly; if your mind is set there as well, you are assured of victory in any endeavor.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 58

Move like a beam of light:
Fly like lightning,
Strike like thunder,
Whirl in circles around
A stable center.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 59

Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 60

If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 61

Functioning harmoniously together, right and left give birth to all techniques. The left hand takes hold of life and death; the right hand controls it. The four limbs of the body are the four pillars of heaven, and manifest the eight directions, yin and yang, inner and outer.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 62

Manifest yang
In your right hand,
Balance it with
The yin of your left,
And guide your partner.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 63

The techniques of the Art of Peace are neither fast nor slow, nor are they inside or outside. They transcend time and space.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 64

Spring forth from the Great Earth;
Billow like Great Waves;
Stand like a tree, sit like a rock;
Use One to strike All.
Learn and forget!

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 66

The body should be triangular, the mind circular. The triangle represents the generation of energy and is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of applied control.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 67

Always try to be in communion with heaven and earth; then the world will appear in its true light. Self-conceit will vanish, and you can blend with any attack.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 68

If your heart is large enough to envelop your adversaries, you can see right through them and avoid their attacks. And once you envelop them, you will be able to guide them along the path indicated to you by heaven and earth.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 69

Free of weakness,
No-mindedly ignore
The sharp attacks
Of your enemies:
Step in and act!

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 70

Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 71

Each day of human life contains joy and anger, pain and pleasure, darkness and light, growth and decay. Each moment is etched with nature's grand design --- do not try to deny or oppose the cosmic order of things.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 72

Protectors of the world
And guardians of the Ways
Of gods and buddhas,
The techniques of Peace
Enable us to meet every challenge.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 73

Life itself is always a trial. In training, you must test and polish yourself in order to face the great challenges of life. Transcend the realm of life and death, and then you will be able to make your way calmly and safely through any crisis that confronts you.

[mudra]

Art of Peace # 74

Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.