Hexagram 23

 

As time passes it is normal for groups organisations to evolve , membership changes leaders retire, new leaders emerge, visions differ , sometimes schisms occur, how this process is managed can reduce the enevitable sadness, prevent misunderstandings/conflict and focus on the positives.

Recent developments in a group I belong to  have reminded me of events that occured approximately 20 years ago in a different group I belonged to and where the process nearly came to blows. Happily this time negotiations this time were far more professionally handled facilitating a much smoother transition.

I was a member of a martial arts group and the teacher , who had to go away for six months arranged for his friend to "caretake" his class. On his return the "friend" said something akin to "Things have changed, these are now my students and this is my work" and refused to hand back the class. The instructor wasted no time in gathering reinforcements and reminded his friend he would if necessary use force to take back the space. The prompt intervention as "mediator" of a third party respected by both the friend and the instructor avoided violence and the space was returned to the instructor.

Good Friday Agreement

 

The reopening of old wounds in Northern Ireland with the standoff between the Orange Order and the Residents Association over the proposed parade down the Garvaghy Road reawakened a long standing interest of mine in Irish politics.

I was raised a Catholic with at least one Irish Grandparent on my mothers side.I also have ancestry traced back to the House of Orange (Grand Father of William of Orange) on my father's side.
In late nineties I studied Kung Fu and spent a year living in the Buddhist Temple of my Kung Fu School.  My Master Simon Wong was interested in British and Irish politics and was kean to make a difference in the world. He had alot of confidence and would sometimes make grandeous claims I found hard to believe. He would often write letters to the Prime Minister Tony Blair offering Spiritual blessings and Feng Shui Services. I think he eventually received a polite "thanks but no thanks"from the office of the prime minister.
I remember one weekend, just at the time the Good Friday agreement was being signed and the paramilitaries were putting down their arms.Two men arrived at the Temple to visit for a few days.They ran a inner boxing Gym in Northern Ireland, which was non sectarian and taught youth from both sides of the divide. They were interested in Sifu Wongs teaching but only received Buddhist Dharma of the True Buddha School , because Sifu annouced he had stopped teaching Kung Fu.

Tower Block Tales

 

Uncle Dugs

When I first moved to London to attend university I lived in the student accomodation at Temple Mills. While my flat was in one of the maisonettes my friend lived on the top floor of one of the tower block "Templars House" where I spent many hours playing chess. After a couple of years I had moved into the Clays Lane Housing Cooperative opposite. I learned how London pirates like "weekend rush"  would on occasion use  the top of the Temple Mills tower blocks as a site for their transmitter.

After moving out of Clays Lane I spent a year living at the Yellow Dragon Centre/ Jen Wai Tong Temple nr Old Street. We used to do our Sunday "Tai Chi" classes in the park opposite, which was adjacent to a very tall towerblock. Every Sunday my instructor would take the class to the same spot in the park. One Sunday he was not available so my fellow student Black Steve was asked to take the class, he led us to a different area of the park. We were all somewhat dubious about the location change but he was in charge. No sooner had we started the class than we heard a rush of air and a thud behind us. Some poor soul had jumped from the top of the block, We never did "Tai Chi" in that spot again.

A couple of years later for a short period my Capoeira Master "Axé" shared a flat on the top floor of a towerblock in South London. The views over the city were phenomenal, particularly late at night.

Of course the most iconic Tower blocks were the Twin Towers of New York which I visited in the 90's and were brought into conciousness with the events of 9:11 2001

Tower blocks for me resonate something subliminally, so it was no surprise after I thought I had finished this blog post that the final piece fell into place courtesy of the usual suspects at K2 Plant Hire.

Armour Protection of True Buddha School

Written instruction of Armour Protection as taught by True Buddha School

Vajrapani

Demonstration video by  Master Wong - Jen Wai Tong 

4  Guardians

S O S

Sounds of Streets,

S.O.S. - Shamen old Songs / Show of Strength / Save our Statesmen - E.P.

Scientists of Sound,

S O S - DMS and Boneman x

SO Solid

Boneman X

 DMS & Boneman X - SOS

Optimist Creed

RIP

 Rest in peace

Revolution in Progress

Rip