Thinking Body, Dancing Mind
Thinking Body – Dancing Mind
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind embodies a classic Tao paradox. It immediately encourages us to think differently by juxtaposing opposites. Ancient Taoist master-teachers often used paradox and metaphor to open up their students’ minds to new ideas, new awareness, and profound understandings of deep forces and unseen interconnections. Does the body, indeed, think? It does when you cease to interfere with its deep-seated intelligence, known as instinct or intuitive physical response. Does the mind dance? It does when you free it to flow with life’s natural processes, and when you loosen your tendency toward critical judgment and control. A dancing mind is relaxed, visionary, and open to the full range of human possibility. “Thinking body, dancing mind” means that you have within you all that you need to be and to do anything you desire.
NOTE: Because the original format of this course was designed to be played on audio cassette, you will hear references to “Tape” and “Side.” So each lesson in the course will include a “Side A and B” in the description.
LISTEN TO THE INTRO:
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind – Tao Sports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life – 1992
This Zygon audio course was developed and narrated by sports psychologist Jerry Lynch, and philosopher and Tai Chi Master Chungliang Al Huang. Based on their book, Thinking Body, Dancing Mind, Jerry and Chungliang dedicated the course to the spirit of Joseph Campbell, who, as a world-class runner, personified the Tao Athlete and recognized the significance of sport as a spiritual journey applicable to all aspects of life.
Tao Sports 1
Side A – INTRODUCTION
Here, you will begin your transformational journey by learning about the Tao and the concept of Tao Sport.
Side B – PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a footstep.” Tao Te Ching no. 24
In this first lesson, you will learn how to prepare for your physical, mental, and emotional journey. You will learn how to re-define your potential and unlock the extraordinary powers of your body-mind.
Tao Sports 2
Side A – THE BEGINNER’S MIND
“Those who lack belief will not in turn be believed.” Tao Te Ching no.23
In this lesson, you will learn how your attitudes and beliefs influence what you experience in life; how your personal power is directly related to your mindset, and what you believe is who you become.
Side B – FOCUSING
“Hold your thoughts to the present. Actions that spring from this attitude will be appropriate.” I Ching no. 52
Here you will learn how to focus on the moment to optimize your personal performance.
Tao Sports 3
Side A – FEAR
“All things in the cosmos will be aroused to movement through fear. This movement will be cautious, and cautious movement will bring success.” I Ching no. 51
Fear is a natural emotion that indicates you need to be alert. In this lesson, you will learn how to manage fear to minimize its impact on performance.
Side B – FATIGUE
“Nothing in the world, is as yielding as water. Yet in attacking the firm and inflexible, nothing triumphs so well.” Tao Te Ching no.78
In this lesson, you will learn how to recognize fatigue, and eliminate the tension, anxiety, and stress caused by its onset.
Tao Sports 4
Side A – CONFIDENCE
“Those who cultivate the Tao, identify with the Tao. Those who cultivate Power, identify with Power.” Tao Te Ching no. 23
In Tao Sports, power is an athlete’s inner balance and confidence. And feeling confident is a state of being and an inner spiritual feeling about who you are and how you perform.
Side B – DETACHMENT
“The stronger the attachments, the greater the cost. The more that is hoarded, the deeper the loss. Know what is enough; Be without disgrace.” Tao Te Chink no. 44
In this lesson, you will learn how ‘detachment’ quiets the ego and opens the heart to extraordinary levels of energy, awareness, joy, and personal power.
Tao Sports 5
Side A – COMPETITION
“The highest value is like water. The value in the water benefits all things, and yet it does not contend. Tao Te Ching no. 8
Here, you will learn that the ‘killer instinct’ is not the best path to success. True strength, like water, blends with other forces to achieve heightened levels of performance.
Side B – GOAL SETTING
“Within the Self, there is a central force of character that unifies thoughts and actions. When you are not in accord with your goals, you may feel indecision, conflict, or malaise; when you are, a sense of self-confidence and well-being will surround you.” I Ching no. 45
In this lesson, you will learn about the ‘central force of character’ and how goals are dreams of mental images toward which you choose to work.
Tao Sports 6
Side A – INTEGRITY
“Hold to your ethics and principles and do not for a moment consider compromising what you believe to be right. Acting with integrity is the key.” I Ching no. 29
The heights you achieve in sport are strongly influenced by the depth of your integrity. In this lesson, you will learn how integrity is the refusal to compromise your talents, your inner sense of self, and your values and attributes regardless of the score, the outcome, or different levels of ability between you and your opponent.
Side B – BALANCE
“Evolved individuals Avoid extremes, Avoid extravagance, Avoid excess.” Tao Te Ching no. 29
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind : Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life. By Chungliang Al Huang
Book Overview
Written by a sports psychologist and a renowned T’ai Chi master, here is a guide to enriching all of life’s pursuits through the practice of its simple mental tools and wisdom. Using stories of success from athletes and businesspeople, the authors present techniques and exercises to promote relaxation and enhance performance.
This is an extraordinary program and we encourage you to buy the book.
Tao Sports 1
Side A – INTRODUCTION
Here, you will begin your transformational journey by learning about the Tao and the concept of Tao Sport.
Side B – PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a footstep.” Tao Te Ching no. 24
In this first lesson, you will learn how to prepare for your physical, mental, and emotional journey. You will learn how to re-define your potential and unlock the extraordinary powers of your body-mind.
Tao Sports 2
Side A – THE BEGINNER’S MIND
“Those who lack belief will not in turn be believed.” Tao Te Ching no.23
In this lesson, you will learn how your attitudes and beliefs influence what you experience in life; how your personal power is directly related to your mindset, and what you believe is who you become.
Side B – FOCUSING
“Hold your thoughts to the present. Actions that spring from this attitude will be appropriate.” I Ching no. 52
Here you will learn how to focus on the moment to optimize your personal performance.
Tao Sports 3
Side A – FEAR
“All things in the cosmos will be aroused to movement through fear. This movement will be cautious, and cautious movement will bring success.” I Ching no. 51
Fear is a natural emotion that indicates you need to be alert. In this lesson, you will learn how to manage fear to minimize its impact on performance.
Side B – FATIGUE
“Nothing in the world, is as yielding as water. Yet in attacking the firm and inflexible, nothing triumphs so well.” Tao Te Ching no.78
In this lesson, you will learn how to recognize fatigue, and eliminate the tension, anxiety, and stress caused by its onset.
Tao Sports 4
Side A – CONFIDENCE
“Those who cultivate the Tao, identify with the Tao. Those who cultivate Power, identify with Power.” Tao Te Ching no. 23
In Tao Sports, power is an athlete’s inner balance and confidence. And feeling confident is a state of being and an inner spiritual feeling about who you are and how you perform.
Side B – DETACHMENT
“The stronger the attachments, the greater the cost. The more that is hoarded, the deeper the loss. Know what is enough; Be without disgrace.” Tao Te Chink no. 44
In this lesson, you will learn how ‘detachment’ quiets the ego and opens the heart to extraordinary levels of energy, awareness, joy, and personal power.
Tao Sports 5
Side A – COMPETITION
“The highest value is like water. The value in the water benefits all things, and yet it does not contend. Tao Te Ching no. 8
Here, you will learn that the ‘killer instinct’ is not the best path to success. True strength, like water, blends with other forces to achieve heightened levels of performance.
Side B – GOAL SETTING
“Within the Self, there is a central force of character that unifies thoughts and actions. When you are not in accord with your goals, you may feel indecision, conflict, or malaise; when you are, a sense of self-confidence and well-being will surround you.” I Ching no. 45
In this lesson, you will learn about the ‘central force of character’ and how goals are dreams of mental images toward which you choose to work.
Tao Sports 6
Side A – INTEGRITY
“Hold to your ethics and principles and do not for a moment consider compromising what you believe to be right. Acting with integrity is the key.” I Ching no. 29
The heights you achieve in sport are strongly influenced by the depth of your integrity. In this lesson, you will learn how integrity is the refusal to compromise your talents, your inner sense of self, and your values and attributes regardless of the score, the outcome, or different levels of ability between you and your opponent.
Side B – BALANCE
“Evolved individuals Avoid extremes, Avoid extravagance, Avoid excess.” Tao Te Ching no. 29
