Rugby is cool
and I am a believe that EVERY sport is better in the snow. But that's just me.
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Perhaps my avatar, and my "location" help explain my username a little more clearly. Maybe through the irony of the "Don Quixote", my position would become more clear. Originally, my avatar was going to be 3 sided, but I haven't figured out how to work the 3rd side in yet, so I just stuck with the two images for now. Briefly... there is one side that is in pursuit of lofty ideals, and another than is more cycnical and realistic. That was brief, at least.....
The "Tan T'ien" can mean many things...
A definition in regards to the "Tan T'ien" as understood through Taoism:
"A human being's life force consists of three energies (generative, vital, and spiritual). These energies are said to become impure through attachment and craving. Spiritual growth corresponds to the purification of these three energies. This purification is said to occur at three different tan-t'ien (fields) within the human body. The lower tan-t'ien is one inch below the navel. The middle tan-t'ien (also known as the Golden Palace) is centered at the solar plexus. The upper tan-t'ien is centered between the eyebrows. The tan-t'ien are thought of as cauldrons within which the three energies are refined until they have acquired their original purity. Within the tan-tien, there is also a transmutation of lower energy into higher energy (i.e. from generative to vital to spiritual energy)."
So, basically, this definition referes to three fields, or areas, on the body. But in 'my location', it is a somewhat metaphorical reference, and, obviously, not literal.
If you are interested in that specific definition, or more on Taoism, the internet is an interesting place to snoop around. But there are a lot of people with many opinions about everything on the net... I'm no different, really.
For some of the other things listed in my "location", they can be "found" here, in this "creed"
http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/bushido/bcreed.html . Another interesting take on a sort of "code of honor", if you will. There is an interesting bit of similarity and difference between western and eastern "chivalry", so to say...
Also... I want to say that I'm no expert in any of this stuff, and I am always looking to understand things like this better. At very best I'd say I'm an amatuer when it comes to these sort of topics.
Lastly, and this is something I have a little more experience in, one, more specific, definition of Tan T'ien is "the centerline". If you look at the Taoist definition, all of those areas on the body are located, essentially, in the center of the body. So not only would they be... good targets to strike if you were face to face with someone, but more so, the centerline is also the shortest distance between two points. Kind of "A to B".
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I suppose there is also a fair blend of "east" and "west", if you look at the Don Quixote references and things like the Tan T'ien. I suppose that sort of duality is fitting.
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I don't think I can translate your signature - what does it mean?
I can still remember one year there wasn't any snow for the December holidays - it was very odd for me...
I have an issue that I don't know how to address here yet, but I may come back and write it out
