***The unbelievably sheer massiveness of the temples and pyramids has left archaeologists, scholars, explorers and plain speculators so skeptical that they attribute the construction to the Lost Continent of Atlantis and Extraterrestials.
But the explanation may be more down-to-earth and accessible: it was human ingenuity and determination that assembled the edifices. Let us not dismiss or underestimate human ability. The ancient Egyptians were capable of such incredible feats of engineering, after all. ***
Year: 2018
Egypt – A photo gallery
These are a select collection of photographs taken within a period of 15 years, some from the time I was teaching in Egypt, some from November 2018 on my most recent tour. The woman with me at the Sphinx is Amal Elfar, a professional guide and Egyptologist of Friendly Planet. She led the group through the history of the country, the machinations of the pharaohs, the generals and the politicians, the intricacies of hieroglyphs on the walls, ceilings and pillars, the geology and geography of the land, the reliefs (high and low), and the obscure details that made the ancient past come alive.
Newsletter – November 2018
By the time you read this, I will be in Egypt. I am looking forward to a few things but I really do not know what to expect. A place can change radically overnight. You have an image or experience of a city in your head and when you return, you are disappointed and frustrated or elated and inspired. Things do not stay the same. Of course, there is always that exceptional surprise if one is open to the wonder. I met a “Guardian of the Temple” in Karnak who demonstrated an important, probably secret, transmission, I had mystical experiences in the Queen’s Chamber (closed to the public) and in Cairo. Continue reading “Newsletter – November 2018”
Power Vortices and Sacred Places
These photos show different places where I felt a strong energy – Peru (Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca), Egypt (Gisa and Luxor) , Philippines (Mt Banahaw), China (Huangshan/Yellow Mountain and the Silk Road), Scotland (Highlands and Hebrides), Slovenia (St Catherine Church), England (Glastonbury and Stonehenge), Cambodia (Angkor Wat), Thailand and Hawaii (Maui and Oahu). If you follow the directions in the essay “Opening the Body to Nature” you will probably feel the same vibration I felt in these places. Continue reading “Power Vortices and Sacred Places”
Last days at AIM
My last few days were full. Aside from teaching from morning till night, I also had guests, old and new friends. Annie came to see me and stayed all day for lessons. Isabel came with Jackson. Annie introduced me to Vivien Tan: she and I talked for 3 hours on Wednesday and it seemed like time passed in a flash. Vivien invited me to her house where she and her women friends meet. The group was a kind of high note for me. I met some of the most interesting people in the city. I was particularly impressed by an Indian woman who knew the Indian classics that I have been studying. I look forward to listening to her ideas about the Gita, especially Chapters 10 and 11. Thanks to Vivien and her father and mother for spending time with me. Continue reading “Last days at AIM”
Baquio City, Ed Maranan’s Grave
Luchie Maranan and I went to the grave of Ed Maranan in the outskirts of Baguio. Here is Ed’s epitaph. Luchie, Ed’s sister, brought the bouquet of flowers. I brought sandalwood incense and a Tibetan bell. In the pouring rain she and I performed a short ritual. Then we spent the rest of the day at Frangelli B&B with Lingling Maranan-Claver. These are some of the photos taken as we toured the villa. Continue reading “Baquio City, Ed Maranan’s Grave”
Ed Maranan
A photo gallery: Continue reading “Ed Maranan”
Books, library and medals
Ms Edna Quiballo, the chief librarian of the Carlos P. Romulo Memorial Library and Museum, invited me to visit to see the books I donated last January. My students and I dropped by last July and spent the morning with the staff. The books were covered in plastic and were shelved. I shipped 6 more balikbayan boxes last June. My brother Florante will sort them out and hand them over to the library. Continue reading “Books, library and medals”
Photos from the past
I want to share photos from the past. Here are 2 of the same posture. One from 1970 taken by my brother Florante Navarro in the Philippines and the other from 1998 taken by Laura Billingham in NYC. I started studying Yang Family Tai chi chuan in 1968 at the Hua Eng Athletic Club in Manila’s Chinatown with Master Chan Bun Te. In 1989 I studied Yraditional Yang Family Tai chi chuan in Boston with GM Gin Soon Chu. Continue reading “Photos from the past”
Tai chi chuan photos
The residential retreat at the ylang-ylang farm in Estipona, Pura, Tarlac on July 20-25 went well. We covered the second section of the Yang Family Tai chi chuan solo fist form, Tai chi chuan dao/broadsword, Tai chi chuan jian/straight sword and the basics of the gan/staff. We also reviewed parts of the Microcosmic Orbit Meditation, Yijinjing, and Xing Shen Zhuang Fa. We watched martial arts DVDs. The core group of 5 will eventually assume teaching responsibilities to carry on the tradition of the eastern arts. Thanks to the staff at the farm for taking care of everything for us. Continue reading “Tai chi chuan photos”