The real human

This is Geng Xiaghuang (1887-1972), a famous martial arts master. Maybe he is not the same Master Geng mentioned in the text. Maybe he looks like his ancestor.

Ten steps, a hundred steps, a thousand miles, ten thousand miles-- it goes out gradually. If you just let it go with no restraint, it will get lost and never return. 


Master Geng said, "The ancient way has not yet collapsed, it is in people. It was not only in the people of the past; it is also in people of the present day; it will also be in people of the future. The real human has never grown more or less; the real human being has never died or been born."

This is Thomas Cleary's translation of a work attributed to an author who wrote in 1739 under the pen name Cultivator of Realization. Master Geng gives us a lot to think about, which is very different from our every day lives. Email me with your suggestions!