Eight Seated Brocades First Exercise – The Heavenly Drum (Awakening the Shen) Begin in a comfortable seated position. You’ve already entered a quiet, meditative state. Your posture is upright, your spine gently extended, and your front body softening down. Let the breath settle and allow stillness to envelop you. Now, we begin the first part: Clacking the Teeth. Bring your awareness to your mouth. Keep your tongue lightly on the roof of the…
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The Open AI Revolution: A Path to Transparency and Collaboration Artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the defining technologies of our time, transforming industries and reshaping lives. Yet, for all its potential, the development of AI often feels like a closed world dominated by a few corporations with vast resources and opaque processes. Against this backdrop, Open AI has risen as a powerful alternative—a vision for a future where AI is accessible, transparent, and collaborative. Open AI is about…
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五息直指阐微 The Five Breaths: A Direct Explication of the Subtleties By Zai Xuzi (在虚子) (Understanding Translation and AI) Overview For some time now, I have been working on this document to explore how AI can assist in translating ancient Daoist texts. These works are inherently complex; they require a deep understanding of the subtle nuances embedded in the original language and cultural context. My objective is to leverage AI’s capability to integrate information from diverse sources, creating translations that are both faithful to the original texts and enriched…
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Building AI Products: Turning Vision into Impact Imagine an AI system that helps farmers optimise their water usage, reducing costs while conserving resources—this is the kind of real-world problem AI can solve. Developing an AI product is an exciting opportunity to address challenges that truly matter. It is not about chasing trends or deploying shiny algorithms for their sake. It is about creating solutions that make a meaningful difference. Building AI products involves strategic thinking, technical expertise,…
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Natural Breathing: A Path to Stillness Although we’ve all been breathing for quite some time, it’s important to recognise that most of us don’t breathe naturally any more. Over the years, we’ve developed bad habits—slouching, shallow breathing, and tension—that take us away from the natural way our bodies are meant to breathe. Natural breathing can improve your posture, release tension, and create a sense of calm and balance in both body and mind. What we’re going…
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The Five Virtues of Confucius: Foundations for Ethical Practice Confucius, one of the most profound thinkers in Chinese history, developed a system of ethics that continues to influence personal and social development. Central to his teachings is cultivating virtuous character, which is essential for harmonious relationships and the smooth functioning of society. At the core of his philosophy are the Five Virtues (五常, wǔ cháng), which provide a framework for ethical practice and self-cultivation. Ren (仁) – Benevolence, Humanity,…
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Zhen Qi Yun Xing Fa: A Pathway to Health and NeiDan History of Zhen Qi Yun Xing Fa Zhen Qi Yun Xing Fa, which translates to the “Method of True Qi Circulation,” is a deeply refined practice with roots in Daoist internal cultivation, specifically the tradition of NeiDan or internal alchemy. The method was developed and refined over 60 years by Dr Li Shao Bo, a renowned Daoist practitioner and teacher. His work aimed to offer a practical and accessible path…
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Clan Sumo Demo at Edinburgh fringe festival Explore this stunning gallery of photos capturing the dynamic sumo demonstration by Clan Sumo at the Edinburgh Fringe, proudly supported by the Japanese Consulate. The event was a spectacular showcase of traditional Japanese culture, combining athletic prowess with rich historical tradition. Take a moment to delve into these powerful images, which bring to life the energy and discipline of sumo wrestling, as performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Each…
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Penglai Fellowship Summer 2024 Lectures: Summer has come again and with it many of us are turning our minds toward recreation and holidays, so what better could you do with your free time than join us from 1 to 4 PM EST July 20th for a free afternoon series of talks by experts in the meditation and Qigong space Wes Tasker, Ian Burgess and Robert Coons? In Brief: What: three talks on internal alchemy and…
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The Impact of Credit Card Requirements on SaaS Free Trials In recent discussions with our customers, a recurring theme has been the impact of requiring a credit card upfront for free trials. Many have expressed concerns about balancing the attraction of high-quality leads with maximising sign-ups. This blog explores the benefits and risks associated with requiring a credit card before allowing a free trial for high-value SaaS products. Conversion to Paid Users Requiring a credit card typically results in a…
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