The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## The Egg Painter

I found the workshop by accident, following the sound of singing through a village I was passing through. The voice led me to a small studio with windows overlooking a garden just coming into bloom. Inside, an elderly woman sat at a […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

Joint us for a fun and rejuvenating event on May 9 and also support women who want to better their community by sharing the healing art. For more info, visit www.ImmortalSisters.org. #taichi #taiji #meditation #qigong #mindbody #health

Find out how to support this important event and be healthier, visit Immortal Sisters www.immortalsisters.org/events. #taichi #taiji #qigong #meditation #mindbody #health

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## Pushing Hands (Tui Shou): The Art of Yielding and Listening Energy

Pushing Hands, known in Chinese as Tui Shou (推手), represents the essential bridge between solo Tai Chi form practice and practical martial application, serving as the primary method for […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## The River’s Choice

I followed the hiking trail along the ridge until it descended to where a river split around a wooded island. The water moved with spring energy, swollen from snowmelt, its surface catching the afternoon light in shifting patterns […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

From Playful Elephants to Focused Minds: How “Tai Chi for Kids” is Transforming the Classroom In an age dominated by digital distractions, rising adolescent anxiety, and the relentless pressure of academic performance, the solution to student well-being might not be found in a new app or a …

Let's save our future and help kids. #taichi #taiji #qigong #meditation #mindbody violetlitaichi.com/from-playful...

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## Wild Greens

The woman at the farmer’s market had a small table covered with bunches of leaves and plants I didn’t recognize. While other vendors sold early greenhouse produce – lettuce and herbs in neat bundles – her offerings looked wild and slightly […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

Taiji’s Drive Hunt Season Has Ended On February 28, Dolphin Project can confirm that the main part of the 2025-26 dolphin drive season ended. The smaller beaked dolphin species including bottlenose, striped, rough-toothed, spotted, and Pacific white-sided can now safely pass by the coast of Taiji. Based on observations over the past seasons, pilot whales are still in danger and may be targeted through the end of April. While the hunter’s focus has shifted to fishing, especially for the popular bonito, they may attempt to drive in a pod of pilot whales, if they are spotted. Sadly, pilot whales are valuable for their meat, which is said to be very popular in the local region. **What changed this season?** Based on independent observations from within Japan, it is estimated that approximately 84 dolphins were taken captive, and 416 dolphins were slaughtered for their meat. Species included: striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, melon whales and short-finned pilot whales. During the last month of the hunting season, Dolphin Project Cove Monitors were on the ground in Taiji. While there, a number of observations were recorded. Captures decreased slightly from the previous season, but totals remained high, with the vast majority being bottlenose dolphins – the most popular species in aquariums. Sadly, the number of dolphins slaughtered increased, reversing the trend of declining figures over the past two seasons. There is no way to know the reasons for these changes, but capture figures show that demand is still strong. As for the slaughters, it is possible that the Kuroshio Current’s closer proximity to the coast this year brought dolphins nearer to Taiji. The current meandered in the previous season, which was thought to keep dolphins farther offshore. Marine life uses ocean currents to conserve energy as they move through the water, and dolphins follow their food sources along the current. Even though the slaughter totals increased from the previous season, the overall figures are small compared to historical data. In the 2017–18 season, the estimated total of dolphins slaughtered was almost twice as high. Although there could be several reasons for the decline over the years, the sustainability of slaughtering entire pods must be considered. Killing mothers and releasing calves and juveniles, whose survival rate is unknown, or killing calves and juveniles along with their mothers, and wiping out entire gene pools, are all possible factors in the decline. > “The brutality of the dolphin hunts in Taiji continues and bearing witness to that violence never gets easier. But this season, something shifted. The growing presence of Japanese activists showing up, raising awareness and pushing for change from within Japan has made incredible headway. Their courage is not only inspiring, it’s fuel. It reminds us that change is possible.” ~ Cove Monitor Alex Divers grab a bottlenose dolphin during a brutal captive selection process. Credit: DolphinProject.org Divers wrestle a Risso’s dolphin over to the skiff to be carried under the tarps. Credit: DolphinProject.org This season, Cove Monitors noted a decrease in the number of dolphin hunting boats, with the fleet dropping from 13 boats to 9 due to hunters joining offshore whaling activities and hunter retirement. However, a number of younger men could be seen participating in the drive hunts. Cove Monitors also saw hunters drive a large pod of bottlenose dolphins into the Cove, only to select none and release the entire pod, possibly suggesting that orders from the captive industry are for dolphins of a specific sex and age. There was also an increase in unsuccessful drives. In the past, it has been rare to see a pod escape once it was driven near the Cove. This season, there were more escapes than ever before. Although it is impossible to confirm the species, based on observations of past escapes it is likely that the majority were Risso’s dolphins. Risso’s can dive deep and hold their breath for about 30 minutes, and they always fight hard to escape the hunters. Hopefully, the dolphins are learning new techniques to evade them. There was also greater involvement by Japanese activists, including an increase in both their numbers and their efforts. When _The Cove_ movie first came out, it sparked a wave of protesters from the West. During the 2013-14 season, a single Japanese activist documented the entire season, another documented the 2016-17 season, followed by a few more in subsequent years. Now, there is a network of Japanese activists working hard to raise awareness within Japan. Blood is seen on the pectoral fin of a bottlenose dolphin being transferred in a sling. Credit: DolphinProject.org **What is Dolphin Project doing to help raise awareness of the drive hunts?** Dolphin Project is exploring new possibilities and ideas for supporting and working with Japanese activists, as we believe their efforts will have a huge impact on ending the dolphin drive hunts. There are still many people in Japan who are unaware of the hunts and have not made the connection between the dolphins they see “smiling” at shows and the reality of captivity. Deep-rooted educational efforts must take place within Japan, and it is crucial that these initiatives are led by Japanese activists. This work is already happening, as activists protest outside aquariums, hold educational events, post videos and information about both the drive hunts and captivity, and place signage in key areas to raise awareness. Dolphin Project is also continuing to work closely with Life Investigation Agency, utilizing effective approaches such as legal actions. Through legal victories, we have already learned valuable information about the sale of captive dolphins in Taiji, including the number of dolphins sold, sale prices, and the amount of time dolphins remain in captivity. Dolphin Project supports all activists within Japan who are working to help end these hunts. Japanese activist Rikako Fukumoto at the Taiji harbor as hunting boats head out. Credit: DolphinProject.org By documenting the hunts each year, collecting information, and supporting and working with Japanese activists, Dolphin Project hopes to develop strategies to help end them. Although supporters of the hunts often claim the dolphin drive hunts are part of Taiji’s traditions and culture, the town’s history states that while there were a few scattered hunts dating back to 1933, they did not occur on a regular basis until 1969, when the Taiji Whale Museum opened. The plan was to include exhibits on the history of whaling (since Taiji is considered the birthplace of modern whaling), as well as to display local dolphin species. Today, the hunts have evolved into a multimillion-dollar business feeding the global trade in captive dolphins. The human desire to get close to these incredible animals has created a large demand for live dolphins, as aquariums require them for displays. Business 101 teaches the fundamental concept of supply and demand. The dolphin drive hunts are a business, and they survive because of the demand for captive dolphins. Although the upward trend in captures isn’t good news, the fact that we have the power to change things is. Your power is in your wallet. If people simply refuse to support any business that holds dolphins captive, demand will drop dramatically. If demand drops, supply drops. While this does not directly address the slaughter itself, captive sales reportedly generate over 80% of the profits from the drive hunts. Imagine a business losing 80% of its profits – surely it would close down. Although no one knows exactly what it will take to end these hunts permanently, reducing the demand for captive dolphins would be a huge step in the right direction. That is why we continue to ask people around the world not to buy a ticket to a dolphin show. Change IS happening in Taiji. Let’s continue this momentum by coming together and being one powerful loud voice for dolphins. _Featured image: Risso’s dolphins swimming wild and free, Monterey, California. Credit: Cynthia Fernandez_ **LEARN MORE** about the dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan.

Taiji’s Drive Hunt Season Has Ended www.dolphinproject.org/blog/taijis-drive-hunt-s... 🐬 #Cetaceans #MarineMammals #MarineLife #MarineBiology #Dolphins #Whales #Science #Whaling #AnimalCruelty #Taiji #AnimalAbuse #CaptivityKills

Infinite Dao p.64 - by Patrick Kelly

Daily practice has two aims.
The first is to maintain the Mind-Energy-Body system.
The second, much more important, is inner evolution.
#taiji #taitxitxuan #taichichuan #meditation #innergrowth

youtu.be/vHXgWuI8e1c?...

#taichi #taichichuan #taiji #taijiquan #pushhands #tuishou #qigong #chikung #internalmartialarts #montclairnj #cleartaichi #newjerseytaichi

Tales by the Wanderer on the path to harmony, sprinkled with wisdom on the topics of mindfullness, practice, emptiness and being in the present moment.

## The Night Garden

I took a wrong turn on the way back to town and found myself on an unfamiliar road as dusk settled. Rather than backtrack, I followed it, curious where it led. The pavement gave way to gravel, then dirt, winding through pine forest […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## The Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin): Ancient Qigong for Modern Wellness

The Eight Pieces of Brocade, known in Chinese as Ba Duan Jin (八段锦), represents one of China’s most enduring and scientifically validated qigong exercise systems, with origins […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

@gbtaiji: Girona Taiji seminar is round the corner, looking forward to it. It's always good to be back, even for a short period, to support the effort of the teacher and students at Yuan Shen.
Video: @gbtaiji
#taiji #taichi #taitxi #meditació #meditation

Danke, Kunito, dass du für das Richtige einstehst und eine Stimme für jene bist, die nicht sprechen können. 🩵

©️ @captainpaulwatson @kunitos

#CPWF #KunitoSeko #Taiji #Dolphindrivehunts #Delfintreibjagd

Tales by the Wanderer - on the path to Harmony. Sprinkled with wisdom on mindfulness, emptiness, practice and simply "being".

## The Stone Polisher

The shop was down a narrow alley in the old quarter, marked only by a wooden sign carved with a spiral pattern. Inside, the space was small and cluttered, every surface covered with stones in various stages of transformation – rough […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

10 Years of Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy recently celebrated its tenth anniversary since commencing classes in South-Eastern Wisconsin. Sifu Ray Gates took the opportunity to crunch the numbers and see how far WT…

It's been interesting to take a look at how far Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy has come in 10 years. Even more interesting to see where we can go in the next 10. Find out where we are and where we want to go: wisconsintaichiacademy.com/10-years-of-...

#taichi #taijiquan #taiji

2026 Spring Chen 18 & Silk Reeling Tuesdays, 03/17/26 - 06/30/26A 10-week online small group class for in-depth instruction on Chen 18 and Silk Reeling . An interactive learning experience with timely feedback and open discussion to le...

Register soon for Spring Chen 18 Tai Chi and Silk Reeling. #taiji #taichi #meditation #health www.violetli.com/post/2026-sp...

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of wisdom, of inspiration, and of taiji, its history, historic masters and in general about spirituality.

## First Thaw

I woke to a sound I hadn’t heard in months – water dripping from the eaves in a steady rhythm. The night had been warm for late winter, and when I opened the door, the air felt soft instead of sharp, carrying moisture instead of that dry […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

Tales by the Wanderer - Sumi-e Painting of a bare lone tree

The Wanderer's Path to Harmony - tales of taiji, its history, historic masters and spirituality.

## The Philosophy of Blank Space: Taoism’s Influence on Chinese Brush Art

The art of “leaving blank” (liú bái) in Chinese brush painting emerged not from oversight or incompletion, but from a deliberate philosophical stance rooted in Taoist cosmology […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

please #sign🐬
#Dolphin drive hunts that take place each year in #Taiji #Japan have garnered international attention as the world has learned about the mass #slaughter of #dolphins and ruthless captive selection process💔
The brutal hunts are documented by #CoveMonitors
outdated+unnecessary #Cruelty

#Taiji #Japon
32 dauphins assassinés ce matin

#RedCove on the 22 of February 😡💔😭 A pod of Stripped Dolphins was driven into #TheCove where they all lost their life's 💔😭🤬 #Taiji #Japan #StopKillingDolphins #DontBuyATicket

A tragic day in #Taiji where killers killed 32 dolphins Those who documented this atrocity heard loud thumps in the water as the dolphins slapped their fins against the surface Today the ocean turned red A government that allows the massacre of whales, and bears is despicable.
#KunitoSeko #Taiji

Tales by the Wanderer - Sumi-e Painting of a bare lone tree

## Between Seasons

The path along the river took me through territory that couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Patches of snow lingered in shadows where the sun never reached, but in open meadows, the ground had thawed to mud that sucked at my boots […]

[Original post on brush-and-tale.com]

Thank goodness the dolphins managed to escape the evil #Taiji hunters 🙏
#BlueCove day 💙🐬🐳💙

Harnessing Tai Chi for Healing: An Interview with Dr. Ruth Taylor-Piliae Tai Chi has long been celebrated for its meditative, flowing movements, but in recent decades, modern science has begun to uncover its measurable benefits for health and rehabilitation. Few researc…

Through comparison study, Tai Chi Chuan is better than brisk walk for people with hypertension. #taichi #taiji #qigong #meditation #HeartHealth violetlitaichi.com/harnessing-t...

It's a #RedCove day for 3 dolphins who have been held captive by the #Taiji hunters and trainers 💔💔💔💔

#Taiji #Japon
3 dauphins tués

Risso dolphins slaughtered by the #Taiji hunters

Three innocent souls needlessly slaughtered by the evil #Taiji hunters. A very sad #RedCove day 💔💔💔💔

#RedCove on the 15 of February 😡😭💔
3 Risso's 💔💔💔💔 lost their life's in #TheCove Iam lost for words 😭 #Taiji #Japan #StopKillingDolphins #DontBuyATicket