The Year of The Dragon

A spiritual friend of mine, Greg Leveille, in his book Tao Consciousness Before the Tao Te Ching and After Ramana tells the legend of the Dragon Gate from ancient China.  There is a high mountain where a waterfall descends.  Near the top of this mountain is the Dragon Gate.  It is said that carps who can swim up this waterfall and leap through the Dragon Gate, can transform into a magnificent yellow dragon and fly to the heavens.  Personally I envision the yellow dragon as a golden dragon since it is a symbol of an awaken state.  We all have the potential within to awaken to our magnificent nature.

This process of awakening to my own magnificence only comes when I can calm my mind and be in the present moment.  It isn't to be carried away with the currents of thoughts rushing through my mind.  That only depletes my energy and brings ill health.  One way that I can calm my mind and root myself in the present moment is through practicing my tai chi and qigong.  This brings me joy!  Sharing my practice with others also brings me joy.   

The organizers of World Tai Chi Day in Stillwater decided to honor the Year of the Dragon by bringing forth a dancing red dragon.  Red is the color for happiness.  Whenever we experience joy, we expand our energy and feel more alive.  Being in the moment with this red dragon and doing tai chi with others brought me so much joy!  Hopefully in the Year of the Dragon you can experience an abundance of joy and awaken to your own magnificence.