About
What’s this blog about?
As Wikipedia puts it used to put it, “jiang hu” is ‘not a physical place or geographic location but the wild and romanticized domain of secret societies, gangs, fighters, entertainers, prostitutes, assassins, thieves, actors, beggars, and wanderers that is roughly the Chinese equivalent to the English terms “bohemian” and “the underworld”‘. Influenced by the Temporary Autonomous Zone, I don’t look at jiang hu as a criminal zone; I see it as place for non-conformists; for bohemians; for ‘new barbarians‘; for mystics; for those who are following their own dreams rather than what society tells them they should be dreaming.
So what’s the “martial arts and mysticism” about? I’ve decided to focus on studying baguazhang, the most fulfilling martial art I’ve ever encountered: not just for its reputed combat value, but also for its qigong health benefits, and its profound philosophical elements. I’m learning about Buddhism and meditation, and I may also try to work harder on getting to grips with the I Ching…
Since both the martial arts and meditation deal ultimately with questions about our own nature and character as individuals, I’ll also write about issues involving identity and perception - as well as anything else I feel is relevant or vaguely interesting!
Contact me at bagualong at gmail dot com.
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