Over twenty years ago I started learning Taoism from a master and I did 6 years of training and study. I learned some basics of elemental theory but after a ten year break I learned more detail in the past 8 years. I live my life around elementary theory but I am not super strict about it. Yet I know what it entails to some extent and the benefits.

For example I can at times if pushed by stress or bad actors totally snap. Some of my mates have seen that happen and it isn’t good. It isn’t healthy or something I ever want to happen. So in terms of diet there are certain things I avoid or only have in small amounts. Some foods for example aren’t meant to be totally avoided but the way they are prepared and amounts, also types for example play a role in elemental theory and what they do to your body which is also in fact your mind.

I am actually overly nice in most cases and I think people find that suspicious, also I at times avoid meeting people or interacting with people if I am stressed. I am not ambitious not because I am lazy but because I realise what stress does to my health. Most people have the same problem but will ignore the fact that their health will suffer just to achieve a certain goal. For me I could have way more stuff than I already do but have chosen a middle road.

That way I can enjoy what I do have and be healthy and content at the same time. Things could be better but they could be worse. I could have way more and also have way more headaches. So elemental theory has helped me avoid snapping or having brief psychotic episodes. It has helped me deal with stress and also not thinking that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

Most people reading this won’t have any idea what I am talking about and that is fine because it isn’t like I have things easier than anybody else. I just found a way that works for me and elemental theory is thousands of years old and you have to make constant adjustments anyway to keep the show on the road. I feel lucky that I found this knowledge which only happened through martial arts training by chance.

I have trained with some amazing martial artists and I must admit I am not much of a fighter at all or even much of a martial artist. I don’t like fighting in any shape or form and I think what I have learnt has been purely philosophical and Taoist focused. The problem with anger is it clouds judgement and you shouldn’t fight if you are angry anyway. If you do end up in a fight normally through someone attacking you the calmer and clear headed you are the most likely you will automatically react in a helpful way.

One of the hardest parts of the training I do is the psychological part. Most people can’t deal with the psychological component of internal martial arts. It is harder than the physical component by a long shot. Most people can’t stand it and leave within a few weeks or even after their first visit. Some last a few months. I totally understand how people can’t deal with it. The way I cope is just dealing with the reality in front of me. People have any number of clashing ideas and so forth, so I ignore ideas as they are limitless and look at behaviours and the here and now.