Why have bulk of great men retreated to natural environment and even harsh circumstance, with only basics of survival to sustain them, while they cultivated excellence? The answer to this question brings us to integration of First Principle with Second: "Nature shows Way." Correct me if I am misguided, but I can't seem to recall advice from any culture in synch with its environment that directs us to "come downtown" for wisdom and health.

When a human extricates himself from rhythms of Earth he becomes a foreigner in his own house. The strident make-up of modern life-style has left most of us without means of carrying forward natural abilities and skills we inherited as a creature of natural rhythms.

The Zen Tao Ch'uan Fa group recently met with me for a training session that lasted 3 ½ hours. That wasn't too radical in itself (we've met over 2 ½ days before, isolated in woods), but toss in heavy snowstorm that swirled around us, and you get idea. Actually, maybe you don't: we've found that it's difficult to impart to observers changes in self-regard, increase in focus and intent, and more importantly, appreciation of just being outside.

As I continued to watch my daughter, Manteee, and this other girl hit better and better I could not help but feel an enormous amount pleasure. They were transforming in front of me. Whatever those coaches told them and whatever those two girls absorbed from their coaches was generating solid hit after solid hit.

I could not believe how happy I was for my daughter and girl I did not know. There is something wonderful about learning and that willingness to be taught. Even though I only watched them I felt as if I was part of what was evolving in front of me.