POST 722 Aug.16, 2025 Exercises Sang Song, Anti-Aging The Traveler, various items and pictures

 

WELCOME to Post 722

POST 722 Aug.16, 2025

 Exercises Sang Song, 

Anti-Aging The Traveler, 

The Two Old Masters 

various items and pictures

 

	Wishing you a great summer.   Catch the sun, feel the joy!

 

 

 

		Along My Path     Charles Phan Hoang
		THE TWO OLD MASTERS Post 722 August 16, 2025
		The Two Old Masters By Charles Phan Hoang   A long time ago in the busy city of Saigon, there were two boys who were best friends—and big rivals. Both of them were strong, fast, and smart in martial arts. They even had the same name: BAO, which means Panther.   They weren’t brothers, but they looked almost like twins: same height, same weight and same shoe size. Even their birthdays were only one day apart! Because of that, people at their martial arts school gave them nicknames. The older one was called BAO ANH (Panther Senior), and the younger one was called BAO EM (Panther Junior).   But Panther Junior didn’t like being called “Junior.” It made him feel like he was second-best. So one day, he said, “My name is BAO NHAT —Panther the First!”   From then on, their friendly rivalry grew stronger. They didn’t just compete in martial arts—they competed in everything! Who had the cooler clothes? Who could kick higher? Who had more fans at school?   As they grew up, both Bao Anh and  Bao Nhat became famous martial arts teachers. But their competition never stopped. If one was featured in a magazine, the other made sure to appear in the next issue! One day, some friends decided to settle the rivalry once and for all. They invited the two Panthers to a special contest: a tile-breaking challenge. With their bare hands, they would try to break as many tiles as possible. Both Panthers loved the idea.   The contest began with a stack of four tiles. Easy! Then increased to five... six... and finally seven. But when they tried to break eight tiles, neither could do it. They were both incredibly strong—but the eighth tile was too tough. So the contest ended in a tie. Everyone gave them a new nickname: Bay Ngoi—Breakers of Seven Tiles. They were both honored and respected.   Years passed, and the two old friends retired. They left Saigon and opened small martial arts schools in their hometowns. People slowly forgot about the Panthers.   But one day, a young journalist read their story and had an exciting idea: “What if I bring them back for one last contest?”   He found Bao Nhat, Panther the First, and told him the plan. “I love it!” said Bao Nhat. “Let’s do it!”. Then the journalist visited Bao Anh, Panther Senior, and gave him the same offer. But Bao Anh shook his head. “We’re too old for contests now,” he said. “The past is the past.”   The journalist was disappointed. But he went back to Bao Nhat and said, “If Bao Anh won’t compete, we’ll just name you the winner in a big news story!”. Bao Nhat was happy to hear that, but he wasn’t sure it was fair. “I didn’t really win anything,” he said. “There was no real contest.” Then he had an idea.   “Let’s do a demonstration,” he said. “I’ll break eight tiles in front of everyone!”. The journalist was thrilled. He prepared a big event with posters, music, and lights. The crowd came in excited to see a master at work.   A tall stack of eight tiles stood in the center of the room. Bao Nhat walked out slowly and bowed to the audience. He shouted a loud kiai and brought his hand down with all his strength. CRACK! All eight tiles shattered into pieces!   The crowd cheered wildly—until they saw Bao Nhat fall to the ground. His hand was broken. All his fingers were badly hurt. He had done the impossible—but paid the price.   That day, the people learned something important: Even the strongest get old; the greatest strength is to know when to stop. Charles Phan Hoang, (Post 722, August 16,  2025)

 

 

No 17 - TURTLE Stance: Advancing in an unnoticeable way The Turtle Stance embodies patience and subtlety. Just like a turtle moves slowly and quietly, it can avoid detection and advance without drawing attention. This stance is about strategic, deliberate action without fanfare, knowing that slow and steady action often wins the race. Don’t rush, let time and strategy work in your favor.

 

  

		POST    2024                                    Linda’s Thursday Quotation
		Nothing is so dangerous to the progress of the human mind than to assume that our views of science are ultimate, that there are no mysteries in nature, that our triumphs are complete and that there are no new worlds to conquer. Humphry Davy

 

 

 

	Blog www.clubmasterhoang.blogspot.com     POST 722  Sharing online ============  POST 722 "Latin Love Songs 2021 - Best Romantic Latin Love Songs"   https://youtu.be/KdDUt3TQgCI?si=hG9XFQu17qxbJyAC   ================          25 Most Amazing Ancient Ruins of the World    https://youtu.be/fq70UHD8DrM   ------------------------------   Sharing online     Romantic Saxophone | Smooth Jazz Saxophone | Relaxing Background Music .   https://youtu.be/CrjUiAjxBeM
	Sharing online  In the Sky   https://youtu.be/0faJH7uMLis

 

  

 

 

 

CELEBRATING GREAT SUMMER VO HA, The Summer 3. SANG SONG – Crossing the River Inspired by the Heart Sutra Mantra “Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha” (Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond. Enlightenment – all hail!) In the third movement of the VO HA form, SANG SONG – Crossing the River – we embody the spiritual journey of leaving behind confusion, fear, and suffering to reach the other shore of insight and peace. This exercise draws deep inspiration from the final mantra of the Heart Sutra (Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra) — one of the most profound and beloved teachings in Buddhist literature. During his 2010 teaching sessions, Master Phan Hoang interpreted this mantra in the context of this form as: "Ending all sufferings, arriving to the shore of Enlightenment." This powerful image of crossing the river reflects a transformative process — moving from the familiar yet troubled side of life to a place of clarity, balance, and awakening. The river symbolizes the challenges, doubts, and attachments we all carry. Crossing it is not about escaping life, but about changing how we relate to it — with wisdom and compassion. The Mantra in Other Translations: While Master Hoang offers a practical and accessible interpretation for Vietchidao practitioners, the mantra itself holds deep meaning across cultures and translations: Edward Conze: Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, O what an awakening, all-hail! Donald S. Lopez, Jr.: Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, enlightenment! Thích Nhất Hạnh: The Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore Lok Sang Ho: Transcend, Transcend, Transcend beyond all, Transcend completely, Awaken! Let this be! HARISCHANDRA KAVIRATNA) Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond (to the other shore)! O enlightenment! Be it so! DALAI  LAMA) Go, go, go beyond, go totally beyond, be rooted in the ground of enlightenment. Each of these reflects the universal call to move beyond limitation — to embrace freedom and wisdom. ===========================   Movement and Meaning in SANG SONG: This form is dynamic, purposeful, and reflective. Reflection: SANG SONG reminds us that we can cross the river of suffering — not through avoidance, but through insight. When practiced mindfully, this form becomes a living meditation on letting go, moving forward, and awakening. Let this form be your mantra in motion. Every step, every breath, every pause — a quiet echo of Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate. Bodhi svaha.