With the approach of Master Jiang's calligraphy
workshop I am led to write about the calligraphy I brought
back from Xian, China in 2004.
While the calligraphy itself is not fantastic
the message is a very important one in both Taoism and T'ai
Chi Ch'uan. It is a quote from Zhu Ge Liang
(181 to 234) a famous statesman and scholar of the Three Kingdoms
era. It is a four character phrase, a very popular form in
Chinese literature. The first two characters (read right to
left) Ning 2 and Jing 4 form a two character idiom
meaning tranquil, quiet, still or serene. The third character
Zhi 4 means to arrive or achieve despite difficulties.
Yuan 3, the fourth character, means distant or far.
So we arrive at - Remain tranquil and serene in order to achieve
going far. Dr. Jay suggests, "Be still, go far".
This is the subject of the important Chapter 47 in the Tao
Te Ching:
"No need to leave your door to know the whole world;
No need to peer through your windows to know the Way of Heaven.
The farther you go, the less you know.
Therefore the Sage knows without going,
Names without seeing,
And completes without doing a thing."
If one can know oneself (Master Jou's first principle) then
one can know other persons and families without the need to
travel far to do so. This is also a caution against basing
judgments on acquired knowledge rather than on following the
inward path to enlightenment. We have so much knowledge available
to us that we tend to think that all answers can be found
by asking Google. The most important answers are within ourselves
so there is not necessary to go to Google or anywhere else
in the world since those answers are not outside of ourselves.
This does not mean that acquired knowledge is bad only that
we must keep it in balance. The basic rule is to seek balance
in moderation. Acquired knowledge can have its uses in our
interaction with the world but it is not required to go far
on the path of spiritual growth. As Ellen Chen puts it, "The
knowledge of particular things in the world is not the unitive
saving knowledge. Indeed, the more we accumulate knowledge
of particulars (for knowledge's sake), the less we know Tao."
In order to be tranquil and go far on our path we need to
"abide by the one", in Taoist terminology. Both
remaining focused on the Tao and on the dantian as the center
of our energetic and spiritual practice. "Not stepping
out of the door" or "remaining tranquil" means
to keep our energy focused within the body, not letting it
escape through inattention or dissipation. Not peering through
the window" refers to not being led astray by the senses
- sights, sounds, smells, tastes or excessive desires. And
yet it is in nature (tzu jan - that which is so of itself)
that we gain insight into Tao and there we must use all our
senses to be fully aware of Tao. The Taoist observes without
needing to control Nature. It is all around us so we need
not travel far to observe it. He or she acts with wu wei,
doing nothing to disturb the spontaneous flow of things.
"Be still, go far" reminds us that the spiritual
part of T'ai Chi Ch'uan is just as important as it's health
benefits and the martial applications. Indeed, letting go
of attachment and arriving at the oneness of
"No mind" is essential in order to arrive at the
completeness of all aspects of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
David
QIGONG CLASS
David Shaver will teach the Yi Yue Nei Gong and The T'ai
Chi Ch'i Gong from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa. This class which
includes the introduction to "Breathing Without Breathing"
is required for students wishing to progress beyond the Intermediate
2 level. This class will be taught on four Saturdays Starting
April 21 at 10:45 a.m. See Flyer.
CLASSICS CLASS
This session we will begin the study of "An Internal
Explanation of the Thirteen Postures" by Wu, Yu Xiang.
This class will meet on twelve Mondays at 7:45 p.m. starting
April 2nd. See Flyer.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - Check the Flyers
MASTER JIANG, JIAN-YE will be returning March 31st and April
1st to teach two three workshops. Taiji for Neck and Back
Pain Saturday morning and Chin Na and Anti-Chin Na in the
afternoon. On Sunday he will teach an Introduction to Chinese
Calligraphy. A rare opportunity to gain some knowledge and
experience of writing with a brush. This will be an outstanding
workshop with one of the great living Chinese Calligraphers.
For the Chin Na workshop you should have at least one year
of T'ai Chi experience. The other two workshops are appropriate
for any level of experience. See flyer.
THE 9th WORLD T'AI CHI AND QIGONG DAY will be April 28th
this year. Once again we will be at the Waterford Beach Park
where the event was held last year. This is a wonderful time
to come and play with our Taiji brothers and sisters from
other schools, to see wonderful demonstrations of other styles
and forms and to have the opportunity to take workshops with
other teachers. Bring family and friends and enjoy this day.
The Fall SAN SHOU INTENSIVE with Dr. Jay Dunbar and Kathleen
Cusick will be August 2 - 5, Thursday thru Sunday this year.
Talk to David or one of the senior students who do San Shou
about the value of this training. It will change your T'ai
Chi in positive ways. Mark your calendars now!
Come join us this spring at our school in the woods!
Nameste`.
David
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