By not exalting the talented you will cause the people to cease from rivalry and contention.
By not prizing goods hard to get, you will cause the people to cease from robbing and stealing.
By not displaying what is desirable, you will cause the people's hearts to remain undisturbed.
Therefore, the Sage's way of governing begins by
Emptying the heart of desires,
Filling the belly with food,
Weakening the ambitions,
Toughening the bones. [60 minute Slow Sets]
In this way he will cause the people to remain without knowledge and without desire, and prevent the knowing ones from any ado.
Practice Non-Ado, and everything will be in order.
Translated by John C.H. Wu 1923
MASTER TUNG CHEN-WEI
2006 LATE SUMMER
NEW HAMPSHIRE SEMINAR
The last day of Master Tung Chen-wei's seminar, a unique visitor came into the gymnasium. The visitor was a dragonfly that flew around the gym pausing for a few seconds near each student. Could it have been one of the old Masters checking our postures? It was up to the students to make the corrections in their form, for the dragonfly did not speak...as the Masters of the past do not speak.
MASTER TUNG KAI-YING'S
2006 AUTUMN
NEW HAMPSHIRE SEMINAR
THE SECRET TO
TUNG FAMILY STYLE
PUSH HANDS
FORM MUST BE PRACTICED TO GET THE
FEELING TO FIND THE
FREEDOM TO FOLLOW OUR HEART
Dragonfly:
Illusion
One of the most magical sights on a summer day or early evening is that of the dragonfly. With its shimmering wings and delicate form it seems a creature from the land of Faerie, and it is a power animal which can help to put us in touch with nature spirits.
Dragonfly, like Frog, Butterfly, and Salamander, is one of nature's shapeshifters. During the first two years of their life, when they are called nymphs, they live in the water. As adults they take to the air. Those who find themselves overwhelmed by emotion and seek some detachment from their problems so that they can solve them can benefit from Dragonfly medicine.
In this context Dragonfly also symbolizes transformation. You can work with this power animal to help you to initiate the changes you know are necessary, the ones you've been avoiding through procrastination or neglect.
On a larger scale Dragonfly can cause you to question the illusion which you call reality, particularly that part of your reality which limits your ability to grow and create transformation in your life. Dragonfly speaks of greater dimensions of reality, and help us to travel to a realm of light and color in which spiritual expansion is possible.
This power symbol is especially helpful for those who feel unable to grow spiritually and for those who feel blocked in their creativity. Dragonfly reminds that ordinary physical reality isn't all that available to us. Its rainbow wings remind us that we can live in a world of magic.
