Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Welcome!

What, you might ask, is the No Way Café? Like any café, it is a place to relax, have some refreshment, visit with friends. The “way of no way” is what’s on the menu. As the name suggests, it cannot be clearly defined. Just as a basic ingredient can be used in many different dishes, the way of no way can be tasted in countless forms, although it itself is formless. Think of it as an opening, inviting us with our whole selves to be fully aware of and engaged in the present moment. 

For the last two years, I have enjoyed in person gatherings to explore the way of no way in discussion, body awareness, and silence. This blog is an invitation to expand the conversation to include anyone who would like to stop by.

So pull up a chair and enjoy the chef’s special of the day. You are always welcome here.

Note: Bruce Lee revolutionized martial arts by developing an approach he described as “having no way as way.” He believed that practicing one style exclusively, no matter how expert you become, limits your ability to respond to the immediate unpredictability of an actual situation–real life, in other words. The name of the No Way Café is inspired by his martial arts philosophy, which was deeply rooted in the Tao Te Ching.

40 comments:

  1. I love the idea! Being in a cafe with a nice cup of tea and a riveting conversation is simply the best. Looking forward to the posts.

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    1. My first comment on the new blog and it's from an old friend! Thank you for your support and encouragement.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, for your encouraging response! Nice to hear from you.

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  3. So glad you're back Galen! Looking forward to keeping up and dropping in often :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Vishnu. And thanks for all your encouragement and good advice.

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  4. What a wonderful surprise! It's so great to see you back in the blogosphere, Galen. I've missed you!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! Glad to be back. (This was the missing comment. Don't know how it jumped into this spot!)

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    2. Thanks, Beth! Glad to be back. (This was the missing comment. Don't know how it jumped into this spot!)

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  5. My favorite blogger and dear family friend..welcome back. We missed you.

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    1. Thanks, Bob. You are always a good friend. Thanks for your support and encouragement and all the good advice!

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  6. very pleased you´re back! Looking forward to your "no way"
    sincerely, Sanne from Germany
    just bought your book after reading about you at fireflies and hummingbirds......

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    1. Welcome, Sanne! Thanks so much for stopping by, and for buying my book. I hope you like it.

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  7. Sounds delicious and adventurous to me! Welcome back!

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    1. Thanks, Karen. It is indeed an adventure, at least for me! Good to see some friendly and familiar "faces."

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  8. So excited to see you back writing!

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    1. Hi, Julie! The best part of a new blog has been the visits from good blog friends I've missed these last two years.

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  9. Hugs! SO good to see you back! :) I was traveling and just returned tonight. Looking forward eagerly!

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    1. Hi, Vidya! You are always such a good friend. I'm grateful for your encouragement and support--both for the blog and in life!

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  10. Nice to see you back. The cafe sounds like a wonderful idea.

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  11. My goal for this year is to flow like a river. Sounds like the Tao, like your little cafe!

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    1. Hey, Phil! Thanks for stopping by. Being like water (including flowing) is exactly what we reflected on in the last in-person gathering of the No Way Cafe. You are right--that is exactly what this little cafe is about! And the Tao Te Ching is full of comparisons of the Tao to water. I'll post something about it soon.

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  12. I love this concept, Galen! Best of luck as you explore the experience of waylessness ;-)

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    1. Thanks, Jeffrey. I've been exploring waylessness for some time now in my life, so the challenge is to put into words what really can't be put into words! It is, as you said, an experience rather than a concept. We'll see what happens.

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  13. So happy that you are back. I have missed you.

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  14. Thanks for the invite and the welcome puts you in a relaxing tone! Welcome back and thanks for inviting me to your blog!

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  15. It's so lovely to find you back in the blogosphere! I thought of you on New Year's Eve (for the first time I tried something similar to your ritual, writing letters to the past and future years ; it was very liberating). Thank you for the invitation to your café! I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts again.

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    1. Thanks, Beliza. So glad you tried the News Year's Eve letters and found it liberating. Glad to have you here!

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  16. Love the name and the concept, Galen. So happy to have you back to blogging!

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  17. So excited to have you back and blogging again, Galen! I will definitely sign up to receive your posts in my inbox. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks, Martha! So pleased to reconnect with you.

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  18. Hi Galen,

    Let's try this again! I have no clue what my first comment was--the one that floats just outside your cafe door--so I'll chime in with the others and say a big CONGRATS! It is so good to see you back in a new/old space. It's been a little lonely without you! Can't wait to see and experience what this new venture unfolds for you.

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    1. Ha, so funny Beth--I found your missing comment above. So now I have two comments from you! Double the fun!! Thanks so much!

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    2. Ha, so funny Beth--I found your missing comment above. So now I have two comments from you! Double the fun!! Thanks so much!

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