Chapter 1: The Essence of Intuition

In a state of movement, one's body ought to feel light and nimble, with all its components interconnected as if woven together.

"The chi must be stirred,

The mind should be inwardly focused.

Postures ought to be smooth and flawless,

without any misalignments;

while in motion, your form must remain fluid, with no interruptions."

— Tai Chi Classics

As I settle into my new home, the spacious bedroom allows me to engage in my essential tasks without stepping outside. This is truly wonderful! I dedicate time to meditation, reconnecting with my inner child, my heartbeat, and my breath. I reflect on my long-term aspirations, prioritizing what needs to be accomplished today, focusing on the "done by one" principle to advance my goals. It’s essential that my body, career, and family are all harmoniously involved.

Sun Salutation offers a fantastic form of movement, enriched by numerous variations. For just sixty seconds of effort, it’s hard to find something more effective. I also incorporate Hanging Knee Twists, which enhance grip strength, engage my core, and promote rotary movement—again, for a maximum of sixty seconds. Tai Chi flows seamlessly into my morning routine, emphasizing balance, mobility, martial arts, and the joy of teaching and sharing.

Amidst these practices, if I fail to reconnect with my body, I still feel fulfilled. I then shift into "Done By One" mode, focusing on the vital 20% of my objectives through Pomodoro-style 25-minute bursts of concentration. It’s astonishing how much can be accomplished with just four such sessions. Over four hours a day, eight bursts can lead to remarkable transformations.

The Sixth Sense: Insights from Hill's Philosophy

TAGR: The Sixth Sense is the thirteenth step in Hill's philosophy. Despite being a century old, his ideas resonate more with modernity than the Tai Chi Classics. Contemporary insights into high-performing brains align with his notion: when your actions are in harmony with your intentions and values, you’ll experience uncanny occurrences almost effortlessly.

Hill posits that an aspect of the mind generates insights and pure creativity. The discussion becomes intriguing around step eleven (sex transmutation) and deepens with the twelfth step (the brain's capacity to send and receive signals), culminating in a deeper understanding of intuition.

It’s often suggested that the "flow" state represents peak performance. This state marks the limit of ordinary thought, as beyond it, language becomes unreliable. Great mentors can only guide you so far, and once they sense you’ve made a genuine stride, they might simply affirm it with a smile or a nod, acknowledging your progress along an indescribable journey.

What exists beyond flow? Non-dualistic thinking. Much of our language and logic is rooted in dualism; we are venturing into unfamiliar territory. It’s not merely "this or that," but rather "this AND that." Dualistic thought gives rise to various "isms" like racism and sexism, but it’s also foundational to many scientific discoveries. While this dualism isn't inherently negative, straying too far from it without caution can hinder efficiency in certain life aspects.

Consider TAGR's insight: "with the sixth sense, you will be alerted to imminent dangers and presented with timely opportunities." The idea of "psychic" phenomena becomes comprehensible when we think of ourselves and others as interconnected beings, transcending the boundaries of time and space.

This intriguing phenomenon seems to emerge from keen observers of instinct and intuition, striving to decode it and design pathways to enhance their frequency. I believe they’ve tapped into something real, even if they can’t fully articulate what that is.

This realm opens to those who have mastered their craft to the level of Unconscious Competence, enabling them to enter the flow state almost instinctively, even under pressure.

In writing, such individuals can effortlessly generate story after story with clear intent. If their INPUT quality is high, their skills will evolve, allowing them to identify the "gems" of good ideas even in their raw state.

In martial arts, these practitioners remain relaxed, even under pressure. They are adaptable, like water in a balloon. When pushed, they adjust, seeking unity with their partner. As long as both parties remain in flow, the exchange continues indefinitely. However, if one’s ego surfaces and they attempt to impose their will, they create an opening for the other. Their focus shifts, and in that instant, an opportunity arises for a strike or throw.

In relationships, I aim to impart life lessons to my son. Directly pushing him often leads to resistance. Instead, I allow him to determine when to share updates with me, creating a win-win situation. He feels heard and respected, learning the importance of commitment and self-accountability. If he succeeds, fantastic! If not, I can visually illustrate his promises and outcomes, helping him understand the consequences tied to his commitments.

When I remain strong and attentive, my ultimate goal is to guide him toward a fulfilling life of joy and service. He grapples with the fear of stepping into adulthood, preferring the simplicity of childhood while yearning for adult freedoms.

We often shy away from fully committing to a creative life, choosing instead to place blame on external factors for our perceived failures. In reality, we are engaged in a challenging pursuit: expressing ourselves through art rather than settling for mundane jobs. Everyone desires to be compensated for what they would do for free. To succeed, one must join the top 20% of individuals consistently in demand. At the very least, this necessitates outworking, outstudying, and being more transparent and focused than the remaining 80%. It’s a simple yet devastatingly effective truth, yet many unsuccessful writers resist acknowledging it.

Fear of sparring, engaging, or losing can be paralyzing. The pain of defeat—physical, emotional, and social—can deter us. However, losing is the only path to victory. Tai Chi suggests we "play," engaging our childlike selves, captivated by the present moment. If our partner remains in this state, we can flow together, much like expert tennis players exchanging volleys. Staying calm leads to either a more fluid exchange or an opportunity when the opponent’s ego interrupts their flow.

Understanding how "opponent/partner" relates to the external forces and situations in life signifies significant growth.

This approach WORKS. Mastering the ability to enter flow requires managing fear—not eliminating it, but discerning which fears to embrace. The fear of "looking foolish" is purely ego-driven. Conversely, fearing stagnation and disconnection from the present moment is a healthy fear.

Is it possible to remain "in the flow" excessively? To an "non-optimal" extent? Certainly. If each morning you envision the mountain you wish to conquer, you can spend the day hiking, singing, enjoying nature, and socializing. At night, assess your progress: are you closer to the mountain? If so, rest easy; it was a good day!

If you find yourself further from the mountain, channel your frustration into motivation for careful analysis. Reflect on your day positively. Acknowledge that while you may have veered off course, you can recalibrate your path moving forward. Maintain a sense of humor about the journey. The most crucial aspect is to embrace joy and service.

Your morning routine should focus on the mountain while reviewing the previous day's journey. In the evening, reassess your position relative to the mountain. Daily life is simply about "chopping wood and carrying water," engaging in "done by one" tasks or "eight pomodoros," or whatever method resonates with your work intensity. To experience new wonders, one must venture into uncharted territories.

This ongoing sense of progress is our goal. By merging one of history's most profound and beautiful movement patterns with visualization, feeling, breathing, focus, and emotion, we can craft a transformative program. As you navigate your day and life, I encourage you to develop such a program for yourself.

Become the hero in your life's adventure!

Namaste,

Steve

www.firedancetaichi.com

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