8th ANNUAL WORLD TAIJI AND QIGONG DAY
T'ai
Chi Ch'uan As A Spiritual Path
One aspect of T'ai Chi training that sometimes
seems to be getting lost or ignored in the west is that
of T'ai Chi as a spiritual path. This is equally important
with the health benefits and the self defense possibilities
of our art.
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is based on the principles of Taoism.
In the Taoist monasteries in China T'ai Chi is an integral
part of a monk's training. Certainly it leads to good health
and, years ago when necessary, it provided the tools to
defend against marauding bandits. But it is also part of
the spiritual training since being able to truly meditate
in movement allows us to recognize our movement as the movement
of the trees, the animals , and the stars and planets.
Not only our standing meditation work but our T'ai Chi
practice itself can lead us to deeper levels of awareness.
In the Taoist tradition, the spiritual path goes beyond
having health and a calm, peaceful mind. Both of which are
usual results of regular practice. We need to move to an
even deeper level where one is able to relax and dissolve
the blockages within, energetic and emotional. Only then
can you refine the three treasures (jing, ch'i, and shen)
and move them appropriately in your body so that you can
approach spiritual enlightenment. Without this stage you
cannot reach enlightenment or, as Bruce Frantzis puts it,
"connection to the Universal Consciousness".
Taoists believe we can achieve enlightenment through the
hard work of meditation and practice, in which each person
delves deeply into his or her consciousness until it is
discovered, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that ones consciousness
and all others are the same. Until one recognizes the oneness
of the three powers: heaven, earth and man. Only then will
you naturally focus (wu wei) through you the qualities of
love, equanimity, compassion, generosity, kindness, and
wisdom. The qualities that make it possible for an enlightened
person to live in the world and be an example to the world.
This seems like a very good result to me. It can lead to
a very full and satisfying life. It is not necessary to
become a hermit.
The final stage of merging with the formlessness of Tao
may, indeed, require withdrawing from the world into retreat
whenever you reach the time that you are ready to continue
to this stage of practice. Many of us may not chose to do
so but the previous levels are available to us if we choose
and will greatly enhance our life and that of those around
us.
Nameste`
David
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Starting September 20 David will, for the first time, begin to teach the Wu, Yu Xiang
Style Long Form (sometimes called the Hao Style). Dr. Jay , who learned the
form from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa our Grandteacher, shared this form with
David over the last five years. Master Jou felt this form demonstrated the highest
development so that beyond it "the only possible evolution was formlessness".
It is truly a wonderful Form.
Starting September 25 - David will teach the Wu Qin Qigong - The Five Animal
Frolics. This Qigong group was developed by Hua To (? - 203 A.D.) This is
perhaps the premier qigong which can be used both to maintain your health,
treat illness and as part of your spiritual practice.
November 3, 4, 5 - Dr. Jay Dunbar will be returning to teach The Luohan Qigong
workshop. This is the carefully crafted detailed qigong first taught to the monks
of the Shaolin Temple by Bodhidharma, 28th patriarch of Buddhism. This is not
the simple series often seen but the finely crafted, full detail series learned by
Dr. Jay from three Chinese Masters.
Our Classic this session is the Taijiquan Jing of Wang, Zhong Yue.
It will be studied on six Saturdays starting October 7th (Skipping
11/4). We will meet from 10:45 to 12:45 at the school in East
Haddam.
The Sensing Hands class continues on Wednesday evening and everyone finds their whole practice of Taiji changing and growing as a result. I'll send an announcement when the introductory workshops are going to be offered again.
I hope you all have wonderful holiday season.
David
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