In our Neigong class recently Susan Watson mentioned
a quote from Philo, "Be kind, for everyone you meet
is carrying a great burden." She called me later
to tell me the quote actually said, "Be kind, for
everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." I
think I actually prefer her paraphrase. However, in these
economic times everyone is either carrying a burden or
fighting a battle so it is particularly appropriate. Do
not let your burden or battle cause you to judge someone
else. Be kind! It is so easy, when we are under stress,
to forget our basic precepts of not judging and not creating
division. And we need to be kind to ourselves as well
as to others. In order to do this we need even more to
focus our practice to help us remain calm and clear regardless
of the threats and pressures that appear. We can only
respond most appropriately and effectively by staying
centered in the present moment. This is one of the benefits
of continuous regular practice of our T'ai Chi, Qigong
and meditation. As Master Jou said, "make a little
progress each day." That is what it takes. Perseverance
without being critical of oneself. We must not focus on
the result but just try to do our best at each moment.
Listening to the teaching was not easy since this is
a major work of
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Some of you may have noticed the Buddhist Prayer
posted in the school. Our guide in China in 2001,
Jason Wei, started each day with saying these words:
Let all things be healthy.
Let all things be peaceful.
Count your blessings at least once a day.
Forgive those who have hurt you, forgive those who
have offended you.
But most of all forgive yourself for what you have
done, and what you have failed to do.
What is done, there is no need to speak of.
What is past, there is no need to blame.
Have self control, self knowledge and self respect
and
the courage to dare.
Strive to make the spot where you stand beautiful.
Then harmony, happiness and longevity will follow
you all your days and all your ways. Amen.
It makes no difference whether these words are
Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim or Christian. There are
many roads to the top of the mountain. Our road
contains T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Practice one day at a
time. Open your heart to the flow of the universe
(Tao). Be Kind, for each person you meet is carrying
a great burden or fighting a battle. WINTER 2010
NEWSLETTER
WRITTEN AT WANG RIVER ESTATE IN THE RAIN
Rainy days in the empty forest. Smoke rises
late
as I steam greens and boil millet to take to
the paddies.
Above the foggy waterfields fly white egrets
and an oriole sings in dense shade of summer
trees.
In the mountain I practice silence, contemplating
morning hibiscus.
I pick hollyhock beneath a pine, a vegetarian
now,
no longer looking for position, an old man living
in
the wilds;
why should seagulls still be wary of me?
Wang Wei (699 - 761?)
Note on the last line by the translator: There is
a Chinese fable about a young man who used to frequent
the seashore and play with the sea gulls. The sea
gulls never flew away when he was there. When his
father came to know this, he asked the young man
to catch a sea gull and bring it home. The next
day the young man went to the seashore with this
thought in mind, but the gulls would no longer come
to play with him.
A reminder that mind intent is always an important
element of our practice.
Happy holidays and may the new year bring renewed
peace and harmony
to you, your family and all the families of our
universe
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Nameste`.
David
UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - Check the Flyers
QIGONG CLASSES
RISING LOTUS QIGONG and PRIMORDIAL QIGONG OF ZHANG, SAN
FENG
The RISING LOTUS is a practice shared with us by Lisa
O'Shea at the Beginning Qi Gong Healers Training. It is
a lovely medical qigong that is very effective
In the second half of the session I will teach the PRIMORDIAL
QIGONG which is said to have been created by Zhang, San
Feng (the legendary founder of T'ai Chi Ch'uan). It has
been passed down through Wudang Taoist masters and taught
to us on my last trip to China. A very powerful and essential
qigong with both gathering and refining qualities. The
practice of this qigong is said to slow time. Indeed it
develops a life of its own as you practice it. Each flow
depends on that moment. Wednesdays 6:00 p.m.
CLASSICS CLASS
TAIJIQUAN JING (TAIJIQUAN CLASSIC) by Wang, Zhong Yue
will meet
Thursdays starting January 7 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Beginning Qi Gong Healers practice sessions will be held
Saturdays, January 16 and 30 at 1:00p.m. This is in preparation
for the next Qi Gong Healers weekend (See below).
LISA O'SHEA will be leading the next level, INTERMEDIATE
QIGONG HEALERS TRAINING, on February 5, 6, and 7. This
will be held at the Lymes Senior Center as was the first
one. The change in title is due to the classes now being
eligible for continuing education credit. The material
presented will remain the same.
STEPHEN WATSON will be coming March 14th, 9:00 to 5:00.
His subject is Myths and Meanings of T'ai Chi. This year
he will begin with Taoist Contemplation. Then we'll explore
the hidden messages and metaphors of the energies, postures,
names,
and directions of the T'ai Chi Dance.
WORLD T'AI CHI AND QIGONG DAY will be April 24th this
year.
Watch for more information.
This year's SAN SHOU INTENSIVE with Dr. Jay Dunbar and
Kathleen Cusick will be in August. Still trying to finalize
the date. Saturday through Tuesday this year. Watch for
more information.
Watch for NEW DVD'S: working on several!
Happy New Year (Although it isn't until February 14th).
It will be the Year of the Metal Tiger - 4707 on the Chinese
calendar.
Come join us at our school in the woods!
Nameste`.
David
