Find your Path

How you can use ancient Chinese philosophy to successfully find your path in life.

While simultaneously nurturing mental and physical health, performance and wellbeing.

Hi! I’m Simon Darnton

Over the last 21 years, I have been drawn to develop a deep interest in Chinese philosophy – Five-phase Theory (Wu Xing) in particular – because of the impact it has had in my life.

I want to share the power and elegance of classical Chinese thought to show you how it can practically empower all of us to live better, more happy and fulfilling lives that follow a path, or multiple paths, truer to our nature.

I share my passion for this philosophy through coaching and consultancy and through my writing on this site.

Five-phase Theory (Wu Xing)

Five-phase Theory (Wu Xing) is an integral part of Chinese Classical thought. It is so sophisticated that scientists in the West have likened it to a Complexity Theory.

Although lesser known to us in the West, Five-phase Theory is as important as Yin/Yang Theory and ‘The Dao’ to Chinese culture.

As a refined way to view the healthy function of any complex system while simultaneously guiding us to lead a good life and act in harmony with those systems, Wu Xing is as valid today as it was over 2000 years ago when it was formed during the first unification of China.

Learn more about Wu Xing…

In contrast to Western Philosophy, which is about finding the truth, ancient Chinese Philosophy is about successfully finding a way in the world.

I blend this time honoured philosophy with contemporary approaches to learning and psychology as well as a concept of Rhythm that I researched in the domains of psychology and performance in motorcycle racing and extreme sports

Whole Person Learning and Inquiry

A method of learning, derived from a mixture of Whole Person Learning, Action Inquiry, Co-Operative learning, and Heuristic Inquiry, I developed as part of a Master’s in Psychological Coaching research project. This learning method was specifically designed for ongoing and deeply transformational professional development, but which also infuses all my ongoing personal learning in life.

More to come soon, but why not explore Five-phase Theory (Wu Xing)

Rhythm

Rhythm is something I came across as both a motorcycle racer and in my research into the psychology of elite motorcycle racers. Rhythm is about a unified physical and mental relationship with the environment where you perform and compete, with a built in process of continuous learning to achieve more consistent performance and results.

Rhythm has been confused with the concept of ‘Flow’ but it sets itself apart in many ways.

Find out how rhythm is different to flow in sport..