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Greetings Friends,
Welcome to the second Green Mountain Tai chi Newsletter.
In this issue there is info about classes, articles on deepening your Tai chi practice and Qigong tapping. The follow up from last month's philosophy article on the three treasures of Tao is also included.
Like most, I am enjoying the crisp fall weather while getting ready for the upcoming winter. I really enjoy the change of seasons. I like to see how my body and mind respond to nature's lead. Not labeling as good or bad, just observing. It is a reminder that with time, all things will change and will come around again. To prepare for what is to come, enjoy what is. It is a great way for me to keep things in perspective.
Peace, prayers and happiness,
Rich
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Announcements
New location and times for the
Manchester classes
Classes are being moved to
The Collaborative 3757 Richville Road in Manchester
Qigong: Tuesday 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Beginner Tai-chi: Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Intermediate Tai-chi: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Pawlet classes will continue at the Pawlet Library
Beginner Tai-chi: Saturdays 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Intermediate Tai-chi: Fridays 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Look for announcements in the near future about me and the Collaborative will be teaming up for classes and seminars
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Tai chi Tip
DEEPENING YOUR PRACTICE
It has been said " If your legs are not tired when you are done practicing Tai-chi, you are not practicing Tai-chi". Master Chen says " When you push the limit is when progress is made". I say " Discomfort can be the bridge to breaking through from our current state of being ".
It is very common when moving through Tai-chi form to straighten the weight bearing leg, to "stand-up", when transitioning from one leg to another. Primarily, I observe this as being a way to give the leg muscles a break. However, by relieving the discomfort we lose the benefit of our hard work. By standing up, we are dispersing the Qi instead of allowing the Qi to go deep into the muscles and bones.
I give the following analogy. You go to your job and they say " Work all week and we will pay you, but if you just go through the motions and go on a break each time the job is difficult we will reduce your pay or give you no paycheck at all" Of course we would work through even when it was difficult (within reason of course :) ). We want a full paycheck.
Well the same holds true with our Tai-chi practice. If we relieve the discomfort each time it shows and just go through the motions of our form then there will be little or no money when it is time to write a check (applying
our Tai-chi) since we have not earned the paycheck.
Going low and deeper in our stances is not the real goal however. The goal is to cultivate Qi, so there is money in the bank, not just fancy looking checks. An important word of caution: Do not compromise your physical alignment ( ex: bending forward or putting pressure in your knee) just so you can stay low.
So the next time your legs are tired and/or burning, remind yourself that you are building a Qi account, giving you the ability to write a valid check and apply your Tai-chi.
Happy practice!
Beginner and intermediate/advanced
Tai-chi classes are held each week in both Manchester and Pawlet
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Qigong
TAPPING
There is a Qigong exercise that I simply love. It is so simple to do yet has a profound positive effect on our health. This exercise is tapping.
The primary reasons for tapping is to strengthen the immune system and to invigorate the qi. In my experience of practicing, both are accomplished.
What do I mean by tapping? You actually use the fingers, palms or fists to tap the body. We don't want to be too nice to ourselves and tap very lightly yet not so hard we knock ourselves out. :)
I have learned this method from different teachers, but I enjoy Chen's method the most because not only do we tap the entire body but there is also a particular rhythm to it. I find this brings my body to a particular frequency that only helps me feel better and more invigorated.
Tapping is just great not only for daily health maintenance but also for those days you might feel sluggish.
Qigong classes are held each Tuesday evening 5:30-6:30 in Manchester
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Life philosophy
THREE TREASURES OF TAO
(The following is the second half from of last month's artlcle)
The following discussion is my understanding and interpretations of the oral teachings of Master Yun Xiang Tseng (Chen).
The three treasures of Tao are conscience, mercy and forgiveness.
It important to note, that being able to apply conscience, mercy and forgiveness to ourselves is a pre-requisite before being able to apply them in a relationship with others. In chapter 33 of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tzu teaches us: "Knowing others is wisdom. Knowing the self is enlightenment. Knowing others requires force. Knowing the self needs strength".
What is it that pulls us down from the cloud of mercy before we act upon the opportunity to forgive? Once again I will refer to the teachings of Lao-Tzu. He says in chapter 12:" The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels not by what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that". When we give in to our need to satisfy the five senses we become attached to the outcome of our situation. In this case we are putting ourselves in a position to either defend ourselves or to attack to preserve our perceived need. A need not based on our virtue but based on desire and emotion. How then can we see clearly the relationship as it is when our mind is clouded with a need for self-satisfaction? Chen has taught" Ask me what is Tao and I will ask you what is need?" If our needs block us from realizing Tao, they are surely a blockage to the three treasures of Tao.
When we have a clear conscience and our spirit has risen to be able to look down with mercy we no longer have an agenda. We can see the situation for what it actually is without a need for a particular outcome. We no longer need to forgive to be a hero saying " I am letting you off the hook for doing me harm". We no longer need to forgive so we can hold onto this forgiveness as a weapon for another day saying "look how I have forgiven you even though you did this to me" being the victim turned persecutor. With mercy our forgiveness is based on one thing, compassion. We can truly look within and know that we are all only being human. Being imperfect. So when we let go of the judgement and agenda we can realize that there really is nothing left to forgive. Yet at the same time, attaining the ability to forgive without agenda, our lives will maintain the right direction. Without this ability our lives will detour. So it is not necessarily the actual act of forgiveness that is critical. It is the ability to know that we can forgive with no strings attached that is crucial to maintaining steadiness and true course in our lives.
It is said, follow nature and return is the way of the Tao. When we are virtuous and kind we will have a clear conscience. When we have a clear conscience we will rise upward and be merciful. When we are merciful we can forgive without agenda and judgement.
When we do not have the ability to forgive, we can no longer be merciful. How can we be merciful when we are judgmental and have lost our compassion? When we have fallen off the cloud of mercy, how can we in good conscience face others and ourselves.
The three treasures of Tao; conscience, mercy and forgiveness. The three "thieves"; victim, persecutor and hero. The choice is ours to make. Life can play with us or we can play the game of life.
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Thoughts For The Month
"When the details of life are overwhelming, look to the big picture. When the big picture is overwhelming, pay attention to the details."
"Where there is tension, there is disconnection"
-Rich
" It just it "
-Master Chen
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I know Karin and Drew and highly recommend them both.
This is a cool site I have come across
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Richard Marantz www.GreenMountainTaiChi.com
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