Good to see you back. Apologies for being not as good in replying as I used to be.

What are the reasons, and what is going on in my life? As discussed with you yesterday, the recession is hitting Britain hard. Whilst our industry is still growing faster than the overall economy shrinks and our jobs are safe, we are looking at longer sales cycles, longer decision making processes and overall more work per individual to get the same income.

Where does that leave me? Honestly. A bit stressed. But I am working on it and will actually soon write about some stress management over at my personal blog. But also, I have been looking into Tai Chi. Do you know why I like it?

I like Tai Chi as for 1 hour my mind is turned off. It is as if I meditate whilst moving slowly and do figures. It is amazing and I enjoy it so much. You know I had difficulties sitting down and meditate even for 10 minutes. But Tai Chi allows me to move and free my mind at the same time.

Now, that does not mean I am not going back to meditate additionally. I believe Tai Chi is just another form to do it, wouldn’t you agree?

Marcelo, it is all about stress management for me at the moment. My baby is fine, I am going to be a dad and I need to re-think my position. You often say I don’t change that much, and maybe you are right. Maybe I think I prepare myself for the big change in June. Then life might even be more stressful.

But, there is another thought. My mother in law does not like the word stress, and to be overly honest me neither. I like to think of it as a challenge. And sometimes this challenge goes above our horizon, our means and our capabilities.

When we have to meet this deadline and do 3 other things at the same time. Or just when we got on top of things we get thrown off the path again. Sometimes, these challenges are overwhelming, just like life itself.

But I believe that we need to counteract it. Tai Chi, Meditation, exercise, family life. The right life life balance, you remember we were speaking about it earlier?

Marcelo, I leave you with these thoughts for the weekend. Don’t forget to check my personal blog and remember that I am trying to move this blog to a new platform next weekend. Apologies in advance.

Love and Happiness to you.
Volker

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Marcelo and I have been very busy. Apologies for that. I try to keep this blog going in this transition period and would like to cover a post a week, mainly at the weekends.

If I say busy, what does that mean. Does not everyone have the same amount of time in a day? Yes, but some have more tasks than others and I for instance enjoy my work to the extend that it is mainly work I am doing. So no work-life balance because it becomes more of a work-work or life-life balance.

Karma, particular at the beginning of a year, pops up in so many discussions. Buddhism teaches us that it is not only our actions but also our intentions/thoughts that result in karma.

On a page about Taoism, I found the following information about Tai Chi.

In Taoism, Tao, roughly translated as path, is a force which flows through all life and is the first cause of everything. The goal of everyone is to become one with the Tao. Tai Chi, a technique of exercise using slow deliberate movements, is used to balance the flow of energy or “chi” within the body. People should develop virtue and seek compassion, moderation and humility. One should plan any action in advance and achieve it through minimal action.

That means by practising Tai Chi, my course starts in 2 weeks, I hope to be able to work my spiritual practise and my body in one way, to create a whole out of the both. I hope that makes sense.

Even years ago, long before I was introduced to Buddhism, I said that one is oneself if the body and spirit are a 100% match. If you are one. If the spirit is 100% inside you. Like Ying and Yang.

On another website I found a very interesting article on Tai Chi. It is meant to bring you self discovery, a part of self or personal development. It speaks about chakras and how your upright spine is helping you to let the energy flow and relax. Anger management comes naturally with that too I am looking more and more forward to this course so that I can get a weekly “workout for spirit and body” at the same time.

One benefit is outlined nicely as “The most important is that it helps you watch your mind. When you can control your mind you will become more peaceful and less likely to get agitated. From this state of mind it will then be much easier to practice patience and compassion, which I believe are the true results for any spiritual practice.”

That is definitely something I am looking for. Patience, Compassion and a mind at ease. A less stressful life.

I guess this is enough reading for a weekend. Have a relaxing one. I leave you with Buddha’s thought:

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

Love and Kindness,

Volker

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Now, as the house is my castle and I can relax when home, I can concentrate more on work and what I would like to achieve in life, ergo I can concentrate on me.

I recharged my batteries and energy is flowing back into me. Taking my time for myself, taking care of myself.

This is important and part of it is my spiritual development. Part of it is to re-connect with my roots and the Buddhist way of life.

Speak soon,
Volker

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Apologies for taking that long to get back to you.

Is balance resulting in determination, e.g. do we need to practise patience and balance to keep up with UPs and DOWNs?
I think so. Yes.

As an example, I went to an event this weekend and if one has a great time, you do not find the determination to go to leaved, e.g. you carry on and on and on. And that is not a problem then. However, you do not think about being tired the next day and the day after. Things carry on.

What I mean, if we have an UP and really power ourselves out (a party, in the gym, at work) then sooner or later we feel exhausted, DOWN (hangover, exhausted, not concentrating enough).

So if we use determination and willpower to bring balance in our lives, then all we do is practising patience and being sensible. The “golden path” is in the middle. Being sensible not to drink to much at a party, not to overdo it in the gym and not to work at work until you collapse. The middle ground with the power to realise the UPs and DOWNs would be the way…

Would that answer what you mean?

Volker

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I would like to start and post about something I just wrote on my own blog.

Ballueder’s Blurb

Is it possible that if you strive for success and for more possession (not only monetary) that you get to a point of contentment?
And if so, would you actually be able to reach this point without

• self monitoring
• personal development

I strongly believe that contentment at any point in life is like coming to a place where you can build a home, settle down and enjoy what you have – job, career, family. Instead of going out in the rough sea, seeking for more islands. Follow that link for some thought on that. I will shortly publish an essay on that and will let you know.

Marcelo, what do you think this is all about?

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