<p>Can a mountain teach us how to live in peace? In his early twenties, George Thompson was living with intense anxiety and a deep sense of meaninglessness. His body carried constant tension, and the voice in his head told him that he was not good enough. That crisis became the catalyst for a decision that would change the direction of his life.</p><br><p>George travelled alone to China’s sacred Wudang Mountains, the birthplace of Tai Chi and a centre of Daoist (Taoist) practice for centuries. There, immersed in mountains, monasteries, and daily practice, he encountered Tai Chi.&nbsp;</p><br><p>In this conversation, George and Wonderstruck’s Elizabeth Rovere explore:</p><p>✦&nbsp;Tai Chi as a martial art and moving meditation: powerful, peaceful, and beautiful</p><p>✦&nbsp;Balance as something dynamic that allows you to hold your centre in the midst of change</p><p>✦&nbsp;The inner critic (“the Underminer”) and learning not to identify with the story it tells</p><p>✦&nbsp;Why peace can’t be learned, but arises through presence and awareness</p><p>✦&nbsp;The universal language of wonder and awe</p><br><p>This episode reminds us to look at what lies beneath the thinking mind, and to discover, as George puts it, that balance is possible.</p><br><p>Chapters&nbsp;</p><p>00:00:00 Introduction</p><p>00:05:49 Journey to the Wudang Mountains</p><p>00:10:22 Finding Balance Through Tai Chi</p><p>00:18:14 Spirituality as a Form of Activism</p><p>00:24:45 Hope &amp; The Vinegar Metaphor</p><p>00:29:58 Love, Connection &amp; Fierce Compassion</p><p>00:35:29 Is Eminem Daoist?</p><p>00:42:04 Awe and Wonder Predates Language</p><p>00:46:27 Nature, AI, and the Technology Continuum</p><p>00:49:42 Why Are We Here?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Follow George:</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@George-Thompson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@George-Thompson</a>&nbsp;</p><p>The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself: <a href="https://youtu.be/9KArWcMldPM?si=fHt4OPWFb8-zSuAx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/9KArWcMldPM?si=fHt4OPWFb8-zSuAx</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Balance is Possible: <a href="https://www.balanceispossible.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.balanceispossible.com/</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Taoist Wellness Community: <a href="https://www.taoistwellness.online/community" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.taoistwellness.online/community</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/george.thompson._/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/george.thompson._/</a>&nbsp;</p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@george.thompson_" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@george.thompson_</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgethompson.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/georgethompson.uk</a>&nbsp;</p><br><p>Follow Wonderstruck:</p><p>Website:<a href="https://wonderstruck.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://wonderstruck.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wonderstruck.org</a></p><p>Substack:&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletter.wonderstruck.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://newsletter.wonderstruck.org</a></p><p>YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpod</a></p><p>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/</a>&nbsp;</p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderstruckpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderstruckpod</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wonderstruckpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/wonderstruckpod</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Spotify:<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>