Have you ever wondered what a Tai Chi master really is? It’s a fascinating question—and needless to say, there is no definitive answer.
Still, if you are at all interested in Tai Chi, or a “Tai Chi Master’s Strategy of Life,” some of these observations may be helpful for you to consider.
The most common ideas on what a Tai Chi master really is usually center around the following characteristics:
The Tai Chi Master is:
1) someone who performs the Tai Chi Forms perfectly, with elegance, focus, precision, and power.
2) someone who knows the entire Tai Chi System to a high level. **
3) someone who is an excellent fighter and can overcome any adversary.
4) someone who combines all the above qualities.
All of these qualities would indeed define a high-level Tai Chi master. But I would suggest there is something even more, perhaps a more elusive and intangible quality.
The following story might begin to illustrate just what this might be…
Some years ago, I was taking cooking lessons with a renowned Japanese chef in the Boston area. One of my fellow students was a young Japanese who was quite proficient in Goju Ryu Karate-do. He was visiting the United States for a while to learn English and to experience American life.
One evening, we went to a local Karate exhibition offered by one of the schools in the city. As the demonstration began, the head of the school came onstage and was addressed as “Master_______.” I have forgotten his name, since this happened several decades ago. He was an American, in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He began showing some Karate kata (solo formal exercises), and I was very impressed by his power, speed, and skill.
My Japanese friend, however, seemed to be getting more and more agitated. When there was a pause in the demonstrations, I asked my Japanese friend what was disturbing him so much. He replied in limited English, “Cannot be master; cannot be master…”
I had no idea what he was talking about.
He went on to explain as best he could that the youthful Karate teacher was “too young” to be a master. He said that a “master” had to be at least sixty years old. I was stunned to hear this, because I had been very impressed by the teacher’s demonstration.
A week or two later, my Japanese friend and I visited a scholar who was fluent in both Japanese and English. Remembering my experience at the Karate demonstration, I asked my friend and the scholar WHY a young American could not be a “master.”
The scholar replied that it had nothing to do with the teacher’s nationality, but that he was “too young.” As our conversation continued, the scholar told me that in the Far East, a “master” was assumed to be someone who had a wide experience in life and skills in many areas, and that accumulating this level of skill and life-experience required many decades. A “master” had to have more than technical martial arts skills.
A few years after that, when I myself began studying Karate, my teacher said something which seemed to confirm what the scholar had said earlier. “Don’t make the dojo (training hall) your world; make the world your dojo.” The force and depth of that comment hit me hard, and I have not forgotten it to this day. From that moment, I personally vowed to “make the world my dojo.”
Later still, when I began studying Tai Chi, I came to realize that each of my teachers seemed to have a quality and charisma which transcended mere skill in the Forms.
After many years of observing my Tai Chi teachers, and masters in other areas, I arrived at a general idea of what the term “master” means to me.
I came to realize that a true Master is someone who can help students in any area of life, from the skills of the art itself to health, life-attitude, and even spirituality. Many Tai Chi masters of the past were also highly skilled in Chinese medicine and herbs. Some of them could do Qi healing. Others were experts in military strategy.
A modern example comes to mind--the late Grandmaster Cheng Man Ch’ing, who was a “Master of the Five Excellences.” He was a high-level master of Tai Chi, Chinese medicine, painting, calligraphy, and even wei qi, or Chinese “chess,” (similar to the game of GO in Japan).
Master T.T. Liang was another Tai Chi adept who excelled in painting and calligraphy, and was taking university courses in English literature in his mid 80’s!
Many Tai Chi masters excelled in Chinese medicine. Traditionally, if a student fell ill, the well-rounded Tai Chi master could offer remedies for the illness; if a student sustained an injury while training, the master could heal that injury. When a student needed advice on some pressing life problem, the Master could offer wise counsel, based on years of observation and experience.
(I was beginning to comprehend why the Japanese scholar years earlier had said that a “master” needed to be a mature and seasoned individual).
A master also has “kung fu.” In America, we think of “kung fu” as a form of martial art, or a set of forms or techniques. Actually, “kung fu” really means something more like “inner development of skill refined after years of study.” And ‘kung fu” is not restricted to martial arts.
A supremely skilled Chinese physician who can deftly place a needle with perfect precision on an acupuncture point, or who can create an elegant and effective herbal formula, has kung fu in medicine. A superb cook has kung fu in the kitchen; and an expert calligrapher or painter has kung fu with the brush.
Developing profound kung fu requires years, if not decades.
I have personally come to believe that a Tai Chi Master should also understand Yin/Yang on many levels, since Yin and Yang and their transmutations are the very essence of Tai Chi. So a Tai Chi master could relate the Universal Principle of Yin/Yang to nutrition, medicine, meditation, and even social events and personal economy.
Most often, a well-rounded master is also a highly skilled teacher. And there is truly an exalted kung fu in the art of teaching! A real master is always compassionate and caring for students, even though the teaching and discipline may be strict. There is absolutely no excuse for a master harming or exploiting a student in any way.
A master is also supremely perceptive and can unfailingly perceive precisely what a student needs to progress. If a student’s best interest demands that s/he go on to a different teacher, the master is detached and can “let go” when the student is ready to move on.
Many students are surprised to learn that the genuine masters are still the MOST TEACHABLE of students. No real master ever pretends to know it all, since the very process of achieving mastery reveals that there is always a far horizon where there is more learning yet to attain.
I am reminded of a story told to me by my martial arts brother, Sifu Ray Hayward.
He was studying with the late B.P. Chan in New York City when T.T. Liang stopped in for a visit. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chan promptly asked Liang to observe his Form and offer corrections. Some of his students were shocked. Chan, after all, was a master of five entire “systems” of Chinese martial arts, each “system” being roughly equivalent to a Ph.D. in the West.
After Liang had left, Chan’s students demanded to know why in the world he, an eminent master in his own right, would ask another master for “corrections.” Chan replied, “What kind of teacher would I be if I failed to try to perfect myself? The best teacher must also be the most humble student.”
That attitude is the hallmark of a true master, and an interesting contrast to the young student of meager experience who comes to a teacher and demands to learn the “good stuff,” or advanced material, claiming that he already “knows” all about the basics. A master in any art is ALWAYS practicing and refining the “basics.”
In the end, I believe that studying with a master is essential to acquire true depth in Tai Chi. It is possible to learn forms and techniques from a less skilled teacher, or even from a video presentation. But there is another dimension altogether which one senses in the energy orbit around a true master. The great Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki characterized it well when he called it a “transmission from warm hand to warm hand.” There is really no substitute.
Another of my teachers, in a totally different area of study, once told me “When you enter a room, you either brighten the room or you dim the room.” In my experience, I have found that a genuine master always brightens the room.
** To learn more about the Tai Chi System, you can check out my book Drawing Silk
at http://www.totaltaichi.com/Drawing%20Silk--Tai%20Chi%20Masters'%20Secrets.htm
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tai Chi and the Three Teachings
Some years ago I was visiting with a professor of Chinese history at a prestigious college and asked him if there was “one best way” to understand the essence of Chinese philosophy. He unhesitatingly replied that there were TWO ways. One was to “Eat an excellent Chinese meal” and the other was to “Study Tai Chi.”
The first came from a wonderful book by Lin Yutang, a Chinese scholar in the early 20th century who wrote in impeccable English because of his Oxford education. When asked to summarize the Chinese approach to life, he answered, “All of Chinese philosophy can be reduced to one good meal.”
Lin wrote a wonderful book entitled The Importance of Living. Although its style is a bit antiquated by modern standards, it is well worth the read, and to be perused slowly, like smoking a fine cigar or enjoying a cup of truly excellent tea.
Other than Lin’s advice, the best way to learn Chinese “philosophy” is by studying Tai Chi. Of course this is NOT about learning a bunch of abstract philosophical “head-trips.” Chinese philosophy has always been practically oriented, centered on how best to live and enjoy life.
And since many elements of the practical application of Chinese philosophy have endured for several millennia (notwithstanding the tremendous changes to China in the past century), it just might be interesting to take a look…
There are three main “paths” or teachings in China—Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Although many Westerners would call the latter two “religions,” they are not religions in the commonly accepted sense. They are more like ways of life, each effective in its own area. In the West it would be unthinkable for someone to be an Orthodox Jew, a devout Catholic, and a Presbyterian at the same time. Yet it is not at all unusual for a traditional Chinese to be a Confucian in regard to family matters, a Taoist in terms of overall life-attitude and health cultivation, and a Buddhist when it comes to the “afterlife.” Each of the teachings serves its own proper sphere.
The best example of the practical use of these Three Teachings came from my main teacher of Tai Chi, T.T. Liang
Master Liang often advised his students to be good “Confucians” until age 60—that is, get a good education, find a good career, have children and grandchildren, etc. Each successive step would be a big “Raising of Rank.” During this time it would also be necessary to practice health and QI development to form a foundation for later life. By establishing a good foundation of family, career, finances, and health, a student would have a good "root" for the remainder of his/her life. Since most of Master Liang’s students of the early 1970’s were “hippies” and “seekers,” it was quite amusing seeing them reject his admonition to be good “Confucians!”
Then, Liang recommended being a “Taoist” from 60-80, emphasizing further cultivation of QI and Spirit for long life and the perfect health necessary to ENJOY the fruits of the first 60 years! I remember a very touching incident which perfectly illustrated this maxim. One Summer, Master Liang was teaching at an education center in New York State. He and his students were practicing in a pine grove; the air was fragrant with pine and soft white clouds drifted across the blue sky. A perfect day!
After they had finished a round of the Tai Chi Solo Form, there was a short respite. One of the students took advantage of the break to ask the Master why he still practiced at his advanced age (he was around 80 at the time). Liang looked surprised for just a moment, then replied that he practiced to make his life beautful! The student appeared a bit confused, so Liang went on to explain that he had experienced considerable toil and stress during the "Confucian" period of his life--and he needed to be in excellent health now to enjoy the fruits of his earlier labors. Tai Chi ensured that he could remain in perfect health, so he could now have the abundant energy and alertness to enjoy his life to the fullest.
If he did not have his health, he said, his first 60 years would have been in vain. But now, he found every day beautiful.
Finally, after age 80, Liang recommended one become a “Buddhist,” that is--meditate frequently, and remember that in the end “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is Form.” This way one could have a perfectly clear and calm mind, devoid of any stress or striving. As Liang once said to me—“In the end, nobody cares who’s who—all are dust!” And Liang seemed to perfectly exemplify each stage of the Three Teachings and passed away peacefully at age 102.
In Tai Chi practice there is a fascinating mix of the Three Teachings.
The Confucian aspect of the art lies with the teacher/student and student/student relationship. The teacher/student bond is based squarely upon Confucian norms of respect. There is a respect for the Founders of one’s Style and for the Founders of Tai Chi in general—that is a respect for the Lineage. There is a kind of vertical dimension, in which both teacher and student revere the Lineage of the past, and realize that someday they will be a part of that Lineage, and be esteemed in turn by their Tai Chi “descendents.”
In the horizontal dimension, students respect each other as members of the same family in a spirit of mutual help and support.
The “Taoist” aspect of Tai Chi is that many of the fundamental principles of the art—such as the mutual interplay of Yin and Yang, neutralizing aggressive Yang energy with Yin yielding, and a concept of a firm “root” which ensures one’s physical stability in the midst of movement and change—all have a distinctly Taoist flavor.
And , while there is no markedly Buddhist aspect to Tai Chi in terms of underlying philosophy, many of the Tai Chi movements probably derived from elements of Shaolin martial arts, since Shaolin anteceded Tai Chi, and formed much of the martial arts “repertoire” for many centuries in China.
In sum, going beyond the Tai Chi “Solo Form” and exercise routine and exploring the profound spiritual and philosophical roots of the art can be a rewarding study, with many positive ramifications in real-world everyday life.
For an entire audio seminar on Tai Chi and the Three Teachings, go to http://www.totaltaichi.com/ click on the left on “Audio CD’s” and find “The Secret Life of Tai Chi” audio program. It is currently available as CD’s, and will be available as an MP3 download early next year.
Also, we are continuing with our Tai Chi Master Key series, using the Tai Chi principle as a guide to many areas of life. The first in this series, an e-book on “The Tai Chi Master key to Healthy Eating” can be found at www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_Eating.htm
The first came from a wonderful book by Lin Yutang, a Chinese scholar in the early 20th century who wrote in impeccable English because of his Oxford education. When asked to summarize the Chinese approach to life, he answered, “All of Chinese philosophy can be reduced to one good meal.”
Lin wrote a wonderful book entitled The Importance of Living. Although its style is a bit antiquated by modern standards, it is well worth the read, and to be perused slowly, like smoking a fine cigar or enjoying a cup of truly excellent tea.
Other than Lin’s advice, the best way to learn Chinese “philosophy” is by studying Tai Chi. Of course this is NOT about learning a bunch of abstract philosophical “head-trips.” Chinese philosophy has always been practically oriented, centered on how best to live and enjoy life.
And since many elements of the practical application of Chinese philosophy have endured for several millennia (notwithstanding the tremendous changes to China in the past century), it just might be interesting to take a look…
There are three main “paths” or teachings in China—Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Although many Westerners would call the latter two “religions,” they are not religions in the commonly accepted sense. They are more like ways of life, each effective in its own area. In the West it would be unthinkable for someone to be an Orthodox Jew, a devout Catholic, and a Presbyterian at the same time. Yet it is not at all unusual for a traditional Chinese to be a Confucian in regard to family matters, a Taoist in terms of overall life-attitude and health cultivation, and a Buddhist when it comes to the “afterlife.” Each of the teachings serves its own proper sphere.
The best example of the practical use of these Three Teachings came from my main teacher of Tai Chi, T.T. Liang
Master Liang often advised his students to be good “Confucians” until age 60—that is, get a good education, find a good career, have children and grandchildren, etc. Each successive step would be a big “Raising of Rank.” During this time it would also be necessary to practice health and QI development to form a foundation for later life. By establishing a good foundation of family, career, finances, and health, a student would have a good "root" for the remainder of his/her life. Since most of Master Liang’s students of the early 1970’s were “hippies” and “seekers,” it was quite amusing seeing them reject his admonition to be good “Confucians!”
Then, Liang recommended being a “Taoist” from 60-80, emphasizing further cultivation of QI and Spirit for long life and the perfect health necessary to ENJOY the fruits of the first 60 years! I remember a very touching incident which perfectly illustrated this maxim. One Summer, Master Liang was teaching at an education center in New York State. He and his students were practicing in a pine grove; the air was fragrant with pine and soft white clouds drifted across the blue sky. A perfect day!
After they had finished a round of the Tai Chi Solo Form, there was a short respite. One of the students took advantage of the break to ask the Master why he still practiced at his advanced age (he was around 80 at the time). Liang looked surprised for just a moment, then replied that he practiced to make his life beautful! The student appeared a bit confused, so Liang went on to explain that he had experienced considerable toil and stress during the "Confucian" period of his life--and he needed to be in excellent health now to enjoy the fruits of his earlier labors. Tai Chi ensured that he could remain in perfect health, so he could now have the abundant energy and alertness to enjoy his life to the fullest.
If he did not have his health, he said, his first 60 years would have been in vain. But now, he found every day beautiful.
Finally, after age 80, Liang recommended one become a “Buddhist,” that is--meditate frequently, and remember that in the end “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is Form.” This way one could have a perfectly clear and calm mind, devoid of any stress or striving. As Liang once said to me—“In the end, nobody cares who’s who—all are dust!” And Liang seemed to perfectly exemplify each stage of the Three Teachings and passed away peacefully at age 102.
In Tai Chi practice there is a fascinating mix of the Three Teachings.
The Confucian aspect of the art lies with the teacher/student and student/student relationship. The teacher/student bond is based squarely upon Confucian norms of respect. There is a respect for the Founders of one’s Style and for the Founders of Tai Chi in general—that is a respect for the Lineage. There is a kind of vertical dimension, in which both teacher and student revere the Lineage of the past, and realize that someday they will be a part of that Lineage, and be esteemed in turn by their Tai Chi “descendents.”
In the horizontal dimension, students respect each other as members of the same family in a spirit of mutual help and support.
The “Taoist” aspect of Tai Chi is that many of the fundamental principles of the art—such as the mutual interplay of Yin and Yang, neutralizing aggressive Yang energy with Yin yielding, and a concept of a firm “root” which ensures one’s physical stability in the midst of movement and change—all have a distinctly Taoist flavor.
And , while there is no markedly Buddhist aspect to Tai Chi in terms of underlying philosophy, many of the Tai Chi movements probably derived from elements of Shaolin martial arts, since Shaolin anteceded Tai Chi, and formed much of the martial arts “repertoire” for many centuries in China.
In sum, going beyond the Tai Chi “Solo Form” and exercise routine and exploring the profound spiritual and philosophical roots of the art can be a rewarding study, with many positive ramifications in real-world everyday life.
For an entire audio seminar on Tai Chi and the Three Teachings, go to http://www.totaltaichi.com/ click on the left on “Audio CD’s” and find “The Secret Life of Tai Chi” audio program. It is currently available as CD’s, and will be available as an MP3 download early next year.
Also, we are continuing with our Tai Chi Master Key series, using the Tai Chi principle as a guide to many areas of life. The first in this series, an e-book on “The Tai Chi Master key to Healthy Eating” can be found at www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_Eating.htm
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tai Chi and the Yin and Yang Calendars
For many years I have been fascinated by the “wider view of Tai Chi”---from simply a form of exercise or martial art to actively using the Universal Principle of Yin and Yang for a more elegant understanding of Life as a whole.
Part of my quest was motivated by something I read in a book on Aikido by the great master Koichi Tohei. He said that the real meaning of Aikido (the "Way of Harmony with Chi," or Universal Energy) was to become so in tune with the Universal Energy that Nature would protect us at all times. What a huge and powerful idea! Following this suggestion, I set about to make part of my Tai Chi practice a study of cycles and patterns of energy in Nature.
One of the simplest ways to go about this is to study the Yin and Yang calendars of ancient China. The Yin was the lunar calendar; the Yang was the solar calendar. Right here we will not look at the solar calendar per se (as in the usual 365 ¼ day calendar), but the Solar Terms, which are 24 periods of the year, or “mini seasons,” sometimes called Qi-nodes.
These “mini seasons” last for approximately 15 days each, and each one of them indicates a subtle shift in the QI of that time period. Since they were developed in North China, they would correspond most accurately to the northern part of the United States. I have often been amazed at just how accurate they are, and they seem to be effective from Vermont to as far south as North Carolina. Of course, the opposite conditions would apply to the Southern Hemisphere.
Here is a summary of the Solar Terms:
The Chinese “Solar Terms”
(Reverse these for Southern Hemisphere)
Lesser Cold Jan 5th
Greater Cold Jan 20th
Establishment of Spring QI Feb 5th Time to allow a slight adjustment away from Warm and Building foods
Rains and Waters Feb 18th Cool Spring rains
The Awakening of Insects Mar 5th Stirrings underground, as insects awaken from hibernation.
The Spring Equinox Mar 20th Quarter of Great Yang begins
Pure Brightness Apr 5th First signs of Spring light and warmth. Traditionally a day to celebrate early Spring and “Sweep the graves of the Ancestors”
Grain Rains Apr 20th
Establishment of Summer QI May 5th You can begin to start taking cooler foods
Lesser Fullness of Grain May 21st
Grain in The Ear Jun 5th Grains start to ripen
The Summer Solstice Jun 21st Apogee of Yang; start of Quarter of Lesser Yin
Lesser Heat Jul 7th
Greater Heat Jul 23rd The hottest time of the year
Establishment of Autumn QI Aug 7th Time to make subtle changes away from cooling foods
The End of Summer Heat Aug 23rd
White Dew Sep 7th
The Autumn Equinox Sep 22nd Beginning of Quarter of Great Yin
Cold Dew Oct 8th
Descent of Hoarfrost Oct 23rd First faint signs of cold weather
Establishment of Winter QI Nov 7th Time to begin using warming foods to prepare the body for Winter
Lesser Snow Nov 22nd Light snowfall in northern regions
Greater Snow Dec 7th It snows heavily
The Winter Solstice Dec 22nd Apogee of Yin; begins the Quarter of Lesser Yang
These Solar Terms are referenced in the Calendar section of my website at:
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Total%20Taichi%20NEWS.HTM
I have found that making subtle adjustments to my lifestyle in each of the “establishment periods” of the seasons (Feb 5th, May 5th, August 7th and November 7th) allows my body to adjust to the COMING season. So on Feb 5th I can begin sleeping a bit less, and ever so slightly start to alter my eating patterns away from very warming to less warming foods. I might also start to dress just a bit lighter. The precise opposite would happen around Nov 7th, as I prepare for Winter.
(You can check out my e-book on the Tai Chi Way of Healthy Eating for more specific details on how to adjust food through the Solar Terms). http://www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_eating.htm
By following the Solar Terms, you will experience the ebb and flow of the Seasons in a very intimate way—and be comfortable and balanced in each Season.
The Yin Calendar of China is the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar varies each year, and generally starts on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice (about 97% of the time). The lunar calendar puts you in tune with the waning and waxing energy of the moon throughout the year and offers an interesting counterpoint to the Solar Terms. The lunar calendar is used in China to celebrate the major popular festivals, which have been observed for hundreds of years.
Here are a few of the festivals celebrated in the lunar calendar:
Needless to say, all references to “month” will be to the LUNAR month, starting with Chinese New Year on 2nd new moon after Winter Solstice.
First Month 1st Day New Year’s Day. Pretty obvious---more profoundly a time to let go of the past year, forgive others and anticipate a bright new beginning
First Month 3rd Day Birthday of Tsai Shen, the God of Wealth. It’s always good to pay respects
First Month 15th Day Lantern Festival, formally ends the New Year Period. First Full Moon of the New Year In some ways similar to Western festivals celebrating the newly born light
Fifth Day 5th Day Dragon Boat Festival. Time of maximum acceleration of Yang energy
Seventh Month 7th Day “Seven/ Seven Day.” Day for lovers—or for long-separated lovers to reunite
Seventh Month 15th Day Festival of Ghosts, sometimes called the “Hungry Ghosts” Note: This is a Full Moon day. It was believed the spirits of the departed come to the earthly world to visit their families. Time to respect your departed ones…
Eighth Month 15th Day “Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival.” Celebration of the Moon and of the harvest. Generally corresponds to Western “Harvest Moon.”
Ninth Month 9th Day “Nine/Nine Day.” Time to enjoy the chrysanthemums and to climb a nearby mountain
Tenth Month 15th Day “Respect the Water God.” As the year nears its greatest Yin period
Twelfth Month 23rd Day Chinese folk festival: “Kitchen God Returns to Heaven.” Kitchen God reports on the conduct of the family—somewhat like Santa Claus “who knows if you’ve been bad or good!”
I hope you have fun watching these lunar festival and Solar Term periods of the year. It is a wonderful way to experience the undulating wave-form of seasonal energy and to hone your understanding of Yin and Yang.
In line with this whole idea, I am developing the “Tai Chi Master Key Series”™ which will give you numerous practical applications of the Yin Yang principle of diverse areas of life—from Meditation to economics and home decorating with much in between.
The first publication in this series is the “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating” mentioned above. http://www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_eating.htm
Till next time, enjoy the flow of the seasons and the rhythm of the Tao!
And don’t forget to give Thanks, as I thank all of you.
Part of my quest was motivated by something I read in a book on Aikido by the great master Koichi Tohei. He said that the real meaning of Aikido (the "Way of Harmony with Chi," or Universal Energy) was to become so in tune with the Universal Energy that Nature would protect us at all times. What a huge and powerful idea! Following this suggestion, I set about to make part of my Tai Chi practice a study of cycles and patterns of energy in Nature.
One of the simplest ways to go about this is to study the Yin and Yang calendars of ancient China. The Yin was the lunar calendar; the Yang was the solar calendar. Right here we will not look at the solar calendar per se (as in the usual 365 ¼ day calendar), but the Solar Terms, which are 24 periods of the year, or “mini seasons,” sometimes called Qi-nodes.
These “mini seasons” last for approximately 15 days each, and each one of them indicates a subtle shift in the QI of that time period. Since they were developed in North China, they would correspond most accurately to the northern part of the United States. I have often been amazed at just how accurate they are, and they seem to be effective from Vermont to as far south as North Carolina. Of course, the opposite conditions would apply to the Southern Hemisphere.
Here is a summary of the Solar Terms:
The Chinese “Solar Terms”
(Reverse these for Southern Hemisphere)
Solar Terms with Month, Date, and Special Information
Lesser Cold Jan 5th
Greater Cold Jan 20th
Establishment of Spring QI Feb 5th Time to allow a slight adjustment away from Warm and Building foods
Rains and Waters Feb 18th Cool Spring rains
The Awakening of Insects Mar 5th Stirrings underground, as insects awaken from hibernation.
The Spring Equinox Mar 20th Quarter of Great Yang begins
Pure Brightness Apr 5th First signs of Spring light and warmth. Traditionally a day to celebrate early Spring and “Sweep the graves of the Ancestors”
Grain Rains Apr 20th
Establishment of Summer QI May 5th You can begin to start taking cooler foods
Lesser Fullness of Grain May 21st
Grain in The Ear Jun 5th Grains start to ripen
The Summer Solstice Jun 21st Apogee of Yang; start of Quarter of Lesser Yin
Lesser Heat Jul 7th
Greater Heat Jul 23rd The hottest time of the year
Establishment of Autumn QI Aug 7th Time to make subtle changes away from cooling foods
The End of Summer Heat Aug 23rd
White Dew Sep 7th
The Autumn Equinox Sep 22nd Beginning of Quarter of Great Yin
Cold Dew Oct 8th
Descent of Hoarfrost Oct 23rd First faint signs of cold weather
Establishment of Winter QI Nov 7th Time to begin using warming foods to prepare the body for Winter
Lesser Snow Nov 22nd Light snowfall in northern regions
Greater Snow Dec 7th It snows heavily
The Winter Solstice Dec 22nd Apogee of Yin; begins the Quarter of Lesser Yang
These Solar Terms are referenced in the Calendar section of my website at:
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Total%20Taichi%20NEWS.HTM
I have found that making subtle adjustments to my lifestyle in each of the “establishment periods” of the seasons (Feb 5th, May 5th, August 7th and November 7th) allows my body to adjust to the COMING season. So on Feb 5th I can begin sleeping a bit less, and ever so slightly start to alter my eating patterns away from very warming to less warming foods. I might also start to dress just a bit lighter. The precise opposite would happen around Nov 7th, as I prepare for Winter.
(You can check out my e-book on the Tai Chi Way of Healthy Eating for more specific details on how to adjust food through the Solar Terms). http://www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_eating.htm
By following the Solar Terms, you will experience the ebb and flow of the Seasons in a very intimate way—and be comfortable and balanced in each Season.
The Yin Calendar of China is the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar varies each year, and generally starts on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice (about 97% of the time). The lunar calendar puts you in tune with the waning and waxing energy of the moon throughout the year and offers an interesting counterpoint to the Solar Terms. The lunar calendar is used in China to celebrate the major popular festivals, which have been observed for hundreds of years.
Here are a few of the festivals celebrated in the lunar calendar:
Needless to say, all references to “month” will be to the LUNAR month, starting with Chinese New Year on 2nd new moon after Winter Solstice.
MONTH , DAY and FESTIVAL MEANING
First Month 1st Day New Year’s Day. Pretty obvious---more profoundly a time to let go of the past year, forgive others and anticipate a bright new beginning
First Month 3rd Day Birthday of Tsai Shen, the God of Wealth. It’s always good to pay respects
First Month 15th Day Lantern Festival, formally ends the New Year Period. First Full Moon of the New Year In some ways similar to Western festivals celebrating the newly born light
Fifth Day 5th Day Dragon Boat Festival. Time of maximum acceleration of Yang energy
Seventh Month 7th Day “Seven/ Seven Day.” Day for lovers—or for long-separated lovers to reunite
Seventh Month 15th Day Festival of Ghosts, sometimes called the “Hungry Ghosts” Note: This is a Full Moon day. It was believed the spirits of the departed come to the earthly world to visit their families. Time to respect your departed ones…
Eighth Month 15th Day “Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival.” Celebration of the Moon and of the harvest. Generally corresponds to Western “Harvest Moon.”
Ninth Month 9th Day “Nine/Nine Day.” Time to enjoy the chrysanthemums and to climb a nearby mountain
Tenth Month 15th Day “Respect the Water God.” As the year nears its greatest Yin period
Twelfth Month 23rd Day Chinese folk festival: “Kitchen God Returns to Heaven.” Kitchen God reports on the conduct of the family—somewhat like Santa Claus “who knows if you’ve been bad or good!”
I hope you have fun watching these lunar festival and Solar Term periods of the year. It is a wonderful way to experience the undulating wave-form of seasonal energy and to hone your understanding of Yin and Yang.
In line with this whole idea, I am developing the “Tai Chi Master Key Series”™ which will give you numerous practical applications of the Yin Yang principle of diverse areas of life—from Meditation to economics and home decorating with much in between.
The first publication in this series is the “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating” mentioned above. http://www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_eating.htm
Till next time, enjoy the flow of the seasons and the rhythm of the Tao!
And don’t forget to give Thanks, as I thank all of you.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Tai Chi Way to Healthy Eating
Tai Chi and healthy eating? At first you might ask, “What in the world does Tai Chi have to do with healthy eating?” Most people think of Tai Chi as nothing more than the slow-motion Solo Form exercise which they may have seen on TV, observed a friend practicing, or even done themselves.
But Tai Chi is actually a Principle of universal activity, and as such can be applied to numerous areas of life, as I described in my post “Yin, Yang, and Total Tai Chi” (Oct 5, 2009).
One of the most fascinating and functional uses of the Tai Chi principle of Yin and Yang is its application to “diet” and nutrition. Since the ancient Chinese physicians did not have modern scientific facts about foods, such as vitamin, mineral, or protein content, fat grams, etc., they relied instead on the energetic properties of foods to determine the best dietary regimens for their patients.
That is, they considered whether any given food was warming or cooling to the body, and whether it was building or cleansing. Their analysis of the energetic properties of foods was based on centuries of direct observation in real life. Overall, the goal was not so much curing of acute symptoms (which would be addressed by Acupuncture or Herbs), but the cultivation of long-term health, stamina, and longevity.
The ancient doctors had good reason to ensure the health of their clients, for in many periods of Chinese history they were not paid if their clients became ill! It was thought that a good doctor’s duty was to keep patients healthy and teach them the principles of healthy living. Moreover, the Chinese revered and respected old age. So if a doctor could keep clients healthy and cultivate their longevity, this would tremendously enhance the doctor’s own reputation.
The Chinese science of nutrition, called Yang Sheng “Nurturing of life” is very simple to understand and apply. First it analyzes an individual’s body and energy type and only then provides specific direction about whether a given individual requires warming or cooling; building or cleansing. There is no “one size fits all” type of dietary recommendation, since every person is absolutely unique.
I am always amazed by the many dietary fads and fancies we see touted every day which totally neglect to consider a person’s body and energetic type, as well as their age, amount of physical activity, and even spiritual aspiration. These were all taken into account in the ancient Chinese science of Yang Sheng—or the “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating,” using the Yin/Yang Principle.
If you would like to learn more about the Tai Chi way of healthy eating, it is all summarized in a 55 page E-book which distills my 30 plus years of research and observation.
You can find out all about it at:
www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_Eating.htm
Meanwhile, we in the Northern Hemisphere have just gone into the period of Li Dong “Establishment of Winter QI.” So be sure to keep warm, avoid ice-cold drinks, sleep a bit more, and preserve your QI. (Below the Equator, you can do just the opposite).
© Copyright Paul B. Gallagher, all rights reserved
But Tai Chi is actually a Principle of universal activity, and as such can be applied to numerous areas of life, as I described in my post “Yin, Yang, and Total Tai Chi” (Oct 5, 2009).
One of the most fascinating and functional uses of the Tai Chi principle of Yin and Yang is its application to “diet” and nutrition. Since the ancient Chinese physicians did not have modern scientific facts about foods, such as vitamin, mineral, or protein content, fat grams, etc., they relied instead on the energetic properties of foods to determine the best dietary regimens for their patients.
That is, they considered whether any given food was warming or cooling to the body, and whether it was building or cleansing. Their analysis of the energetic properties of foods was based on centuries of direct observation in real life. Overall, the goal was not so much curing of acute symptoms (which would be addressed by Acupuncture or Herbs), but the cultivation of long-term health, stamina, and longevity.
The ancient doctors had good reason to ensure the health of their clients, for in many periods of Chinese history they were not paid if their clients became ill! It was thought that a good doctor’s duty was to keep patients healthy and teach them the principles of healthy living. Moreover, the Chinese revered and respected old age. So if a doctor could keep clients healthy and cultivate their longevity, this would tremendously enhance the doctor’s own reputation.
The Chinese science of nutrition, called Yang Sheng “Nurturing of life” is very simple to understand and apply. First it analyzes an individual’s body and energy type and only then provides specific direction about whether a given individual requires warming or cooling; building or cleansing. There is no “one size fits all” type of dietary recommendation, since every person is absolutely unique.
I am always amazed by the many dietary fads and fancies we see touted every day which totally neglect to consider a person’s body and energetic type, as well as their age, amount of physical activity, and even spiritual aspiration. These were all taken into account in the ancient Chinese science of Yang Sheng—or the “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating,” using the Yin/Yang Principle.
If you would like to learn more about the Tai Chi way of healthy eating, it is all summarized in a 55 page E-book which distills my 30 plus years of research and observation.
You can find out all about it at:
www.totaltaichi.com/Master_Key_to_Healthy_Eating.htm
Meanwhile, we in the Northern Hemisphere have just gone into the period of Li Dong “Establishment of Winter QI.” So be sure to keep warm, avoid ice-cold drinks, sleep a bit more, and preserve your QI. (Below the Equator, you can do just the opposite).
© Copyright Paul B. Gallagher, all rights reserved
Monday, November 2, 2009
"Tai Chi Friends are Best Friends"
Today I am sitting in Virginia Beach, gazing at the gray, windy, drizzly sky, and the rough incoming waves. I remember the times some twenty years ago when I taught several Tai Chi seminars here at the invitation of my dear friend and colleague Almanzo Lamoureux, also known as Professor Lao Ma.
Professor Ma is a long-time Tai Chi Player, Master Teacher, and a very gifted Chinese calligrapher. More than that, he is one of my dearest friends. (He teaches in Chapel Hill, NC.)
Reflecting on old times and friendship caused me to recall a saying oft-repeated by my main Tai Chi teacher, T.T. Liang (1900-2002), “Tai Chi friends are best friends.” Those words were very meaningful to Master Liang because they had literally saved his life.
A high-ranking customs officer in Shanghai during the 1940’s, Master Liang’s duties put him into numerous life and death situations. In his later years, he loved to regale his students with his real-life tales of smugglers, drug lords, opium dens, and back street gun battles.
Sadly, part of that culture rubbed off on Liang, and in his early 40’s he found himself deathly ill from his indulgence in the “five vices.” (I will leave to your imagination just what those were). In fact, a doctor told him he had barely three months left to live.
Master Liang then decided to renounce his former lifestyle and begin a serious practice of Tai Chi. Even after his decision to live a “clean life,” however, gangsters would frequently appear at his home late at night, demanding that he come and join them in the gambling parlors. That made him realize he needed to find a completely new set of associates—and he did! They became his “Tai Chi friends.”
Following the Master’s example, I too developed a group of Tai Chi friends. The very best of them were my “old-time” students, who would come up to my mountain studio in Vermont to train each Saturday morning—even during the harsh Vermont winters--and drive up the steep snow-covered road for two miles from the state highway.
Of course they came on balmy Summer mornings as well.
What a wonderful energy we had training together! Practicing Tai Chi in a group of high-level players creates a powerful QI-field which is very evident to all. Everyone in the group contributes to and can draw from that field of bio-electrical energy. One of my teachers told me, “If you feel great, come to class to share your energy; if you feel down or depleted, come to class to absorb energy.” And that is exactly how the dynamic works.
Practicing Tai Chi with your “Tai Chi friends” creates a greatly magnified energy, which seems to grow geometrically in proportion to the number of people that are training together. In addition to the enhanced QI-field, there is an interesting resonance, as the players share rhythms of movement and breath.
Tai Chi friends can playfully “intimidate each other to advance,” another expression of Master Liang, as he recalled his Tai Chi friends of decades ago coming to take him to the park to practice, even when he didn’t feel like it. Once the gangsters had given up coming in the middle of the night to drag him off to the gambling dens, the Tai Chi friends started coming in the morning to take him to the park.
So—if you are now practicing Tai Chi, or if you plan to become a student of the art, just remember to find a group of Tai Chi friends. They will inspire you to practice, share their energy and insight with you—and they just might become your best friends!
Here is bit of news:
I am now working on the “Tai Chi Master Key Series™” which will use the Universal Principles of Yin and Yang to enlighten and simplify your approach to numerous areas of life. The “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating” is NOW available as a 55 page e-book.
You can learn more about it at
www.totaltaichi.com/master_key_to_healthy_eating.htm
Until then, enjoy the late Autumn (or early Spring), and cherish ALL of your friends, whether or not they are “Tai Chi friends.”
Next day at the beach; sunny skies and good humor...
(C) Copyright Paul B Gallagher
all articles on this blog are copyrighted , with all rights reserved
Professor Ma is a long-time Tai Chi Player, Master Teacher, and a very gifted Chinese calligrapher. More than that, he is one of my dearest friends. (He teaches in Chapel Hill, NC.)
Reflecting on old times and friendship caused me to recall a saying oft-repeated by my main Tai Chi teacher, T.T. Liang (1900-2002), “Tai Chi friends are best friends.” Those words were very meaningful to Master Liang because they had literally saved his life.
A high-ranking customs officer in Shanghai during the 1940’s, Master Liang’s duties put him into numerous life and death situations. In his later years, he loved to regale his students with his real-life tales of smugglers, drug lords, opium dens, and back street gun battles.
Sadly, part of that culture rubbed off on Liang, and in his early 40’s he found himself deathly ill from his indulgence in the “five vices.” (I will leave to your imagination just what those were). In fact, a doctor told him he had barely three months left to live.
Master Liang then decided to renounce his former lifestyle and begin a serious practice of Tai Chi. Even after his decision to live a “clean life,” however, gangsters would frequently appear at his home late at night, demanding that he come and join them in the gambling parlors. That made him realize he needed to find a completely new set of associates—and he did! They became his “Tai Chi friends.”
Following the Master’s example, I too developed a group of Tai Chi friends. The very best of them were my “old-time” students, who would come up to my mountain studio in Vermont to train each Saturday morning—even during the harsh Vermont winters--and drive up the steep snow-covered road for two miles from the state highway.
Of course they came on balmy Summer mornings as well.
What a wonderful energy we had training together! Practicing Tai Chi in a group of high-level players creates a powerful QI-field which is very evident to all. Everyone in the group contributes to and can draw from that field of bio-electrical energy. One of my teachers told me, “If you feel great, come to class to share your energy; if you feel down or depleted, come to class to absorb energy.” And that is exactly how the dynamic works.
Practicing Tai Chi with your “Tai Chi friends” creates a greatly magnified energy, which seems to grow geometrically in proportion to the number of people that are training together. In addition to the enhanced QI-field, there is an interesting resonance, as the players share rhythms of movement and breath.
Tai Chi friends can playfully “intimidate each other to advance,” another expression of Master Liang, as he recalled his Tai Chi friends of decades ago coming to take him to the park to practice, even when he didn’t feel like it. Once the gangsters had given up coming in the middle of the night to drag him off to the gambling dens, the Tai Chi friends started coming in the morning to take him to the park.
So—if you are now practicing Tai Chi, or if you plan to become a student of the art, just remember to find a group of Tai Chi friends. They will inspire you to practice, share their energy and insight with you—and they just might become your best friends!
Here is bit of news:
I am now working on the “Tai Chi Master Key Series™” which will use the Universal Principles of Yin and Yang to enlighten and simplify your approach to numerous areas of life. The “Tai Chi Master Key to Healthy Eating” is NOW available as a 55 page e-book.
You can learn more about it at
www.totaltaichi.com/master_key_to_healthy_eating.htm
Until then, enjoy the late Autumn (or early Spring), and cherish ALL of your friends, whether or not they are “Tai Chi friends.”
Next day at the beach; sunny skies and good humor...
(C) Copyright Paul B Gallagher
all articles on this blog are copyrighted , with all rights reserved
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Tai Chi Art of "Effortless Action"
One of the more mysterious aspects of Taoism, and Tai Chi for that matter, is the idea of Wu Wei, usually translated as “Non-Action.” The Taoist is said to be someone who practices, “Non Action.” That conjures up the image of someone who lives a pretty uneventful, boring life—maybe meditating all day long, or simply sitting on a rock contemplating existence.
But the Taoists were in reality extremely dynamic people. They were tireless experimenters, observers of Nature, and in a sense the “scientists” of their time. They developed herbology, alchemy, martial arts, Qigong techniques, Chinese medical practices, and meditation methods. The Taoists were anything but passive! The 108 temples on the Mt. WuDang complex were not built with "non-action."
Above all, Taoists were great observers, carefully studying the innate tendencies of things and the natural flow of energy. Wu Wei, far from implying passivity, actually means “not forcing,” or “not acting contrary to the natural tendencies of things, people, or events.” By acting WITH the flow rather than against it, the Taoists could produce big effects with little energy input.
There is a great illustration of this in Chapter Three of Lao Tse’s Tao Te Ching. The common translation in English usually runs something like this:
The Sage rules
By emptying their minds
Filling their bellies.
Weakening their wills,
And strengthening their bones.
So in the typical translation we get the image of a “ruler” who seems to make the people as doltish as possible, empty-headed and weak-willed. Of course in Taoist literature there are not the hard definitions of English, so the passage could also mean that this is the way a Taoist (Sage) rules him or herself. The translation above would correspond to the common way in which Wu Wei is interpreted as “non-action.”
But wait a minute…bearing in mind that 99% of translators of the Taoist writings into English were scholars who never had any actual Taoist TRAINING, let’s take a look at how a trained Taoist might have read those same four lines.
In Chinese, “mind” really means “heart-mind,” and the location of the “heart-mind” is in the solar plexus/heart area. So emptying the mind is really emptying energy from the solar plexus/heart area.
Did you ever feel stressed and “uptight?” Almost invariably, the tightness you felt would have been centered in your solar plexus area. A proliferation of chaotic thoughts will essentially BLOCK and congest energy in your heart/solar plexus area. So the Taoist, empties this area by releasing extraneous, stressful thoughts, usually through meditation.
The energy, however, is not just dissipated. Once the heart-mind is cleared, the energy and intention is directed toward the tan tian, or area just below the navel. The Taoist (or Tai Chi Player) releases excessive thought energy and instead gathers energy in their lower abdomen, the reservoir of QI, or bio-electrical vital energy.
So now, by applying just the first two lines of the poem above, the Taoist Tai Chi Player has succeeded in quieting stressful thoughts, releasing energy from a tense heart-solar plexus area, and gathering energy into its natural reservoir for abundant vitality and longer life.
Then the Taoist “weakens the will.” In Chinese medicine the Kidneys, or what we would call Adrenals provide energy for the “will.” So always trying to impose your will on events to make sure they turn out your way will deplete your Adrenals, and later your immune system. The Taoist Tai Chi Player “weakens the will” by practicing Wu Wei . S/he always works WITH the natural tendencies of people and events. So life seems to flow effortlessly, but everything gets handled with the greatest possible ease and effectiveness.
Finally, the Taoist Tai Chi Player “strengthens the bones.” In Chinese medicine, an accumulation of Kidney energy is said to enter the bones and make them resilient, but indestructible. The Tai Chi Chuan Classic says, “Let the Qi sink deeply and permeate the bones...” When the Qi has sunk to the bones, it is a sign that the entire body energy has been concentrated to its core for personal power and long life.
A quick recap for Taoist Tai Chi Players:
Release stressful, chaotic thoughts from your heart area;
Concentrate your intention on your lower abdomen to accumulate QI;
Lessen your “willfulness” in trying to control events
(Follow Wu Wei instead)
Relax all that formerly pent up energy deeply into your bones.
Who knows, you might even become a long-lived “Tai Chi Immortal!”
Monday, October 5, 2009
Yin, Yang, and "Total Tai Chi"
Do you think of Tai Chi as merely a slow-motion form of exercise? What if it could be so much more than that? No, not the martial art, but the PRINCIPLE of Tai Chi itself. What IS Tai Chi, anyway?
The name Tai Chi refers to the two Universal Forces of Yin and Yang, in a constantly changing state of dynamic balance. You have probably seen the Tai Chi Symbol numerous times
Many sciences and technologies of old China were based upon this principle.
Now why should this be of any importance to you? Well, the Yin/Yang principle forms the basis for a consistent system of health practices for lifelong health and vitality. If you have been confused by the multitude of claims regarding widely differing nutrition and exercise systems, the Yin/Yang Principle can act as a set of “magic lenses” to let you see clearly and make sense of it all.
In a couple of weeks, I will have a set of audio MP3’s available at http://www.totaltaichi. com
The name Tai Chi refers to the two Universal Forces of Yin and Yang, in a constantly changing state of dynamic balance. You have probably seen the Tai Chi Symbol numerous times
Many sciences and technologies of old China were based upon this principle.
Now why should this be of any importance to you? Well, the Yin/Yang principle forms the basis for a consistent system of health practices for lifelong health and vitality. If you have been confused by the multitude of claims regarding widely differing nutrition and exercise systems, the Yin/Yang Principle can act as a set of “magic lenses” to let you see clearly and make sense of it all.
In a couple of weeks, I will have a set of audio MP3’s available at http://www.totaltaichi. com
which will explain the “magic lenses” in detail.
For now, let’s just look at a few of the lifestyle areas that are included in the “Total Tai Chi” approach to lifelong health and wellbeing. Many of them embrace the Yin/Yang Principle.
Overall, there are Nine Lifearts which I have dubbed the “Nine Taoist Lifearts,” since many of them were influenced by Taoists. The Taoists might be called the “scientists” of old China. They were tireless experimenters in diverse areas such as herbs, Qi-development movement systems, meditation systems, Feng Shui, and even alchemy.
The Nine “Taoist” Lifearts are:
Meditation. This is the most important of all. It provides a way to calm the physical body and focus the mind, so your energy body, the source of your health and vitality, can be restored to coherence and stability after the disturbances of daily life. It is very easy to learn a practical and very effective form of Meditation.
Nutritional Science (which is much more elegantly called the art of Yang Sheng, or “Nurturing Life” in Chinese) is the study of the properties of foods, and their exact appropriateness for varying body types and physical conditions. This Lifeart categorizes foods into Warm and Building and Cooling and Cleansing. So depending on whether you are a “hot” person or a “cold” person—and depending on whether you are congested or depleted, you can find the right spectrum of foods for your exact needs.
For now, let’s just look at a few of the lifestyle areas that are included in the “Total Tai Chi” approach to lifelong health and wellbeing. Many of them embrace the Yin/Yang Principle.
Overall, there are Nine Lifearts which I have dubbed the “Nine Taoist Lifearts,” since many of them were influenced by Taoists. The Taoists might be called the “scientists” of old China. They were tireless experimenters in diverse areas such as herbs, Qi-development movement systems, meditation systems, Feng Shui, and even alchemy.
The Nine “Taoist” Lifearts are:
Meditation. This is the most important of all. It provides a way to calm the physical body and focus the mind, so your energy body, the source of your health and vitality, can be restored to coherence and stability after the disturbances of daily life. It is very easy to learn a practical and very effective form of Meditation.
Nutritional Science (which is much more elegantly called the art of Yang Sheng, or “Nurturing Life” in Chinese) is the study of the properties of foods, and their exact appropriateness for varying body types and physical conditions. This Lifeart categorizes foods into Warm and Building and Cooling and Cleansing. So depending on whether you are a “hot” person or a “cold” person—and depending on whether you are congested or depleted, you can find the right spectrum of foods for your exact needs.
Learning the basic of Nutritional Science is very easy, and takes just an hour or so. After that, you will be able to critique ANY recommended "diet" and see whether it is right for you.
Movement is the study of QI-developing movement systems (Qigong), whether purely therapeutic or therapeutic and martial, like Tai Chi, Xing I and Ba Kua. Meditation, Nutrition, and Movement are your Top Three daily health disciplines. The remaining six Lifearts are supplementary, and can be used occasionally, as necessary. I will describe each of them only briefly.
Herbology embraces the thorough study of herbs and in the Total Tai Chi context, often the use of tonic herbs for long-term health. Herbs should only be used in conjunction with proper Nutrition and Movement.
Acupuncture is the adjustment of the body’s bio-electrical flow through the insertion of fine needles at nodal points in the energy channels where the flow can be most easily adjusted for very specific effects.
Sexual Science is the study of male and female energies and how to best bring them into perfect harmony. It also includes regimens for healthy pregnancy and after birth.
Feng Shui aims to create a perfect flow of life energy within a space, or even on a piece of land. Sometimes a person experiences difficulties in creating good health, even after they have applied the Top Three Lifearts mentioned before. That can sometimes be traced to a bad energy flow in or around their dwelling or workplace. Feng Shui can address this discrepancy.
Divination deals with deriving information from sources beyond the physical. Now this sounds very far out, but today, we would use the term ”channeling.” In ancient China there were no data banks or computer models! So the rulers would consult specially-trained “Diviners” for their intuitive read on whether crops would succeed, whether it was the right time to engage in battle, whether the Great River would flood, etc.
Finally, Bodywork includes the numerous massage techniques of China and also includes the Chinese unique traditional approach to bonesetting, and external injuries. There is an entire branch of medicine for treating injuries incurred in martial arts training and real combat. This medicine is now extended to any kind of external injury.
I hope that has given you an interesting overview. Thorough mastery of any one Lifeart might well be a life-long endeavor, but some knowledge of a few of them is a good way to preserve your health and vitality for a long time.
As T.T. Liang, my main Tai Chi teacher said, “You should know something about everything—and everything about one thing.”
There is no need to try to master all nine; just remember to practice the “Top Three” Lifearts consistently and you can live a long and QI-ful life.
Movement is the study of QI-developing movement systems (Qigong), whether purely therapeutic or therapeutic and martial, like Tai Chi, Xing I and Ba Kua. Meditation, Nutrition, and Movement are your Top Three daily health disciplines. The remaining six Lifearts are supplementary, and can be used occasionally, as necessary. I will describe each of them only briefly.
Herbology embraces the thorough study of herbs and in the Total Tai Chi context, often the use of tonic herbs for long-term health. Herbs should only be used in conjunction with proper Nutrition and Movement.
Acupuncture is the adjustment of the body’s bio-electrical flow through the insertion of fine needles at nodal points in the energy channels where the flow can be most easily adjusted for very specific effects.
Sexual Science is the study of male and female energies and how to best bring them into perfect harmony. It also includes regimens for healthy pregnancy and after birth.
Feng Shui aims to create a perfect flow of life energy within a space, or even on a piece of land. Sometimes a person experiences difficulties in creating good health, even after they have applied the Top Three Lifearts mentioned before. That can sometimes be traced to a bad energy flow in or around their dwelling or workplace. Feng Shui can address this discrepancy.
Divination deals with deriving information from sources beyond the physical. Now this sounds very far out, but today, we would use the term ”channeling.” In ancient China there were no data banks or computer models! So the rulers would consult specially-trained “Diviners” for their intuitive read on whether crops would succeed, whether it was the right time to engage in battle, whether the Great River would flood, etc.
Finally, Bodywork includes the numerous massage techniques of China and also includes the Chinese unique traditional approach to bonesetting, and external injuries. There is an entire branch of medicine for treating injuries incurred in martial arts training and real combat. This medicine is now extended to any kind of external injury.
I hope that has given you an interesting overview. Thorough mastery of any one Lifeart might well be a life-long endeavor, but some knowledge of a few of them is a good way to preserve your health and vitality for a long time.
As T.T. Liang, my main Tai Chi teacher said, “You should know something about everything—and everything about one thing.”
There is no need to try to master all nine; just remember to practice the “Top Three” Lifearts consistently and you can live a long and QI-ful life.
[I use the spelling "Tai Chi" in these blogs, rather than the older T'ai Chi or the modern pinyin Taiji. "Tai Chi" has the greatest name recognition at the present time.]
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I have recently received some more interesting questions from beginnning Tai Chi students. I hope they help you in your practice! In the next blogpost, I will describe the larger picture of Tai Chi health practices--what is meant by "Total Tai Chi (tm)."
I don’t seem to FEEL much when I do Tai Chi. I have heard that Tai Chi develops QI, but I am not really sure what QI is. Am I supposed to feel the QI when I do my Tai Chi form?
There can be a lot of mystique surrounding the training of QI. But, simply put, QI is a kind of bio-electricity in your body which animates all vital processes. In short, if you are alive, you have QI!
By practicing Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and other methods, you can refine, strengthen, and harmonize your flow of QI. That is, you can cultivate MORE QI-- a higher “voltage” of bio-electricity. You can learn to store your QI in the lower abdomen, so it is not dissipated needlessly. And, especially with Tai Chi, you can harmonize your flow of QI, so it circulates through every part of your body in the right proportions.
When you do your Tai Chi Solo Form, as long as it is a correct form, and you are doing it with reasonable accuracy, in time you will feel a flow of QI. Usually, you first feel your hands get warm and tingly; later you might feel your abdomen having a warm and “full” feeling. The critical requirement is to relax, maintain a perfect alignment of your “frame” or bone structure, concentrate fully on the movements, and let the Tai Chi process do its work.
Being concerned or worried about whether or not you are developing QI is almost certain to hinder the process.
At some point, your teacher may recommend Standing Meditation (“Holding the Post”) or other specific techniques to further develop your QI. But in the beginning, just relax, focus your intention on the movements, allow your breath to be unstrained, and to “sink” to the lower abdomen, and enjoy the Form.
Absolutely avoid any kind of forcing the “sinking” process or the breath.
Is Tai Chi supposed to be a martial art? If so, how in the world can Tai Chi be used in fighting if all we practice are the sloooooow movements?
Many beginning students think that the slow-motion “Solo Form” is the entirety of Tai Chi. But Tai Chi is in realty an entire System of practice. You start with some preliminary exercises and the Solo Form, and then go on to two-person work, such as Push Hands and San Shou (a kind of pre-arranged “sparring” which illustrates the defensive applications of each movement). After that, you study Tai Chi weapons (Saber, Sword, and Staff (or Spear) to fully develop your strength and ability to project energy.
The slow (Yang Style) Solo Form is the initial practice to develop strength in the legs, flexibility in the waist, good alignment of the “frame,” and begin the process of cultivating QI. Part of the reason for the slow movement is to diminish internal muscular resistance when you move. The other reason is to promote full flow of blood to the internal organs for health. Rapid vigorous external strength-based movements will bring more blood to the outer muscles and reduce blood in the internal organs (with the exception of the heart). For health and longevity, you want complete and easy blood flow in the internal organs.
Regarding Tai Chi as a martial art, you first learn Push Hands to developing sensing acuity and San Shou to learn technique. At first starting slowly, eventually those practices are speeded up to approximate combat speed. And, (only with the proper teaching from a qualified instructor) some students, go into Tai Chi “free sparring” at real-time speeds.
The actual development of martial ability of Tai Chi involves specialized training, and goes far beyond the Solo Form. It must be learned from a fully qualified teacher.
If you are interested in learning more about the entire "Tai Chi System," check out my book at:
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Taiji%20Master%20Secrets.htm
I like vigorous exercise, such as weightlifting or sports. But I also like Tai Chi. My problem is that Tai Chi doesn’t seem to be “aerobic.” Is Tai Chi really dynamic enough to create real fitness?
Again, looking at the Solo Form, Tai Chi is not necessarily “vigorous” or “aerobic” like some sports. But once a student progresses to weapons, especially the long staff, Tai Chi definitely develops breath and stamina.
In all of Tai Chi practice, the student learns to breathe in a deep and relaxed manner. But if you ever have occasion to do one hundred thrusts with a Tai Chi long staff (9 feet long), you will surely feel that you have had a vigorous workout!
I notice that there are several “styles” of Tai Chi. Is any one style the “best” style? Why are there different styles of Tai Chi anyway?
Any style of martial art develops because of specific conditions and necessities. That is, a martial art style is developed to respond to other methods of combat which are prevailing at the time, and ultimately to be able to neutralize or defeat them. Don’t forget, in old China, martial arts were a matter of life or death—to the clan, or to the civil authorities who learned and applied them.
(Yang Lu Chan, founder of the Yang Style, is said to have instructed some members of the Chinese Emperor’s elite personal bodyguards).
A style also reflects the founder’s body type and temperament. As an example, Yang Lu Chan had two sons who carried on his teaching. One of them Ban Hou, was famous for his short-range explosive power. The other Jian-Hou, was more renowned for his “soft” neutralizing style. Neither style was better; it was just a matter of what style was the best fit for the masters involved.
The same thing is true of the Styles, as they evolved through the famous Tai Chi “families”—Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun. Each founder developed techniques which worked best for him, in accordance with his physical attributes and natural abilities. Then, these techniques and “forms” were passed down as part of a family heritage, with each generation making some improvements and modifications.
For a beginning student of Tai Chi, the style is not nearly as important as correct teaching. But overall, I recommend the Yang Style for most beginners, of any physical condition or body type. The Chen Style is excellent for younger people wanting vigorous conditioning, and the Wu Style contains many subtle and small-range techniques, which are more difficult for beginners to assimilate.
Remember that less than 80 years ago, Tai Chi instruction was available only to experienced martial artists, who ALREADY were in excellent physical shape and had substantial martial prowess. Tai Chi was a way to further refine and internalize their considerable skills. It might have been called the Ph.D. of martial arts.
With the advent of Tai Chi as a popular health exercise (in the 1930’s and 1940’s) what was once a “Ph.D. level” martial art became a form of physical culture for the masses. I believe the Yang Style is a style which is most amenable to the greatest number of beginners of all ages and physical condition levels.
But whatever Style you study, as long as you get correct instruction, will eventually work for you, if you practice with perseverance.
I don’t seem to FEEL much when I do Tai Chi. I have heard that Tai Chi develops QI, but I am not really sure what QI is. Am I supposed to feel the QI when I do my Tai Chi form?
There can be a lot of mystique surrounding the training of QI. But, simply put, QI is a kind of bio-electricity in your body which animates all vital processes. In short, if you are alive, you have QI!
By practicing Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and other methods, you can refine, strengthen, and harmonize your flow of QI. That is, you can cultivate MORE QI-- a higher “voltage” of bio-electricity. You can learn to store your QI in the lower abdomen, so it is not dissipated needlessly. And, especially with Tai Chi, you can harmonize your flow of QI, so it circulates through every part of your body in the right proportions.
When you do your Tai Chi Solo Form, as long as it is a correct form, and you are doing it with reasonable accuracy, in time you will feel a flow of QI. Usually, you first feel your hands get warm and tingly; later you might feel your abdomen having a warm and “full” feeling. The critical requirement is to relax, maintain a perfect alignment of your “frame” or bone structure, concentrate fully on the movements, and let the Tai Chi process do its work.
Being concerned or worried about whether or not you are developing QI is almost certain to hinder the process.
At some point, your teacher may recommend Standing Meditation (“Holding the Post”) or other specific techniques to further develop your QI. But in the beginning, just relax, focus your intention on the movements, allow your breath to be unstrained, and to “sink” to the lower abdomen, and enjoy the Form.
Absolutely avoid any kind of forcing the “sinking” process or the breath.
Is Tai Chi supposed to be a martial art? If so, how in the world can Tai Chi be used in fighting if all we practice are the sloooooow movements?
Many beginning students think that the slow-motion “Solo Form” is the entirety of Tai Chi. But Tai Chi is in realty an entire System of practice. You start with some preliminary exercises and the Solo Form, and then go on to two-person work, such as Push Hands and San Shou (a kind of pre-arranged “sparring” which illustrates the defensive applications of each movement). After that, you study Tai Chi weapons (Saber, Sword, and Staff (or Spear) to fully develop your strength and ability to project energy.
The slow (Yang Style) Solo Form is the initial practice to develop strength in the legs, flexibility in the waist, good alignment of the “frame,” and begin the process of cultivating QI. Part of the reason for the slow movement is to diminish internal muscular resistance when you move. The other reason is to promote full flow of blood to the internal organs for health. Rapid vigorous external strength-based movements will bring more blood to the outer muscles and reduce blood in the internal organs (with the exception of the heart). For health and longevity, you want complete and easy blood flow in the internal organs.
Regarding Tai Chi as a martial art, you first learn Push Hands to developing sensing acuity and San Shou to learn technique. At first starting slowly, eventually those practices are speeded up to approximate combat speed. And, (only with the proper teaching from a qualified instructor) some students, go into Tai Chi “free sparring” at real-time speeds.
The actual development of martial ability of Tai Chi involves specialized training, and goes far beyond the Solo Form. It must be learned from a fully qualified teacher.
If you are interested in learning more about the entire "Tai Chi System," check out my book at:
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Taiji%20Master%20Secrets.htm
I like vigorous exercise, such as weightlifting or sports. But I also like Tai Chi. My problem is that Tai Chi doesn’t seem to be “aerobic.” Is Tai Chi really dynamic enough to create real fitness?
Again, looking at the Solo Form, Tai Chi is not necessarily “vigorous” or “aerobic” like some sports. But once a student progresses to weapons, especially the long staff, Tai Chi definitely develops breath and stamina.
In all of Tai Chi practice, the student learns to breathe in a deep and relaxed manner. But if you ever have occasion to do one hundred thrusts with a Tai Chi long staff (9 feet long), you will surely feel that you have had a vigorous workout!
I notice that there are several “styles” of Tai Chi. Is any one style the “best” style? Why are there different styles of Tai Chi anyway?
Any style of martial art develops because of specific conditions and necessities. That is, a martial art style is developed to respond to other methods of combat which are prevailing at the time, and ultimately to be able to neutralize or defeat them. Don’t forget, in old China, martial arts were a matter of life or death—to the clan, or to the civil authorities who learned and applied them.
(Yang Lu Chan, founder of the Yang Style, is said to have instructed some members of the Chinese Emperor’s elite personal bodyguards).
A style also reflects the founder’s body type and temperament. As an example, Yang Lu Chan had two sons who carried on his teaching. One of them Ban Hou, was famous for his short-range explosive power. The other Jian-Hou, was more renowned for his “soft” neutralizing style. Neither style was better; it was just a matter of what style was the best fit for the masters involved.
The same thing is true of the Styles, as they evolved through the famous Tai Chi “families”—Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun. Each founder developed techniques which worked best for him, in accordance with his physical attributes and natural abilities. Then, these techniques and “forms” were passed down as part of a family heritage, with each generation making some improvements and modifications.
For a beginning student of Tai Chi, the style is not nearly as important as correct teaching. But overall, I recommend the Yang Style for most beginners, of any physical condition or body type. The Chen Style is excellent for younger people wanting vigorous conditioning, and the Wu Style contains many subtle and small-range techniques, which are more difficult for beginners to assimilate.
Remember that less than 80 years ago, Tai Chi instruction was available only to experienced martial artists, who ALREADY were in excellent physical shape and had substantial martial prowess. Tai Chi was a way to further refine and internalize their considerable skills. It might have been called the Ph.D. of martial arts.
With the advent of Tai Chi as a popular health exercise (in the 1930’s and 1940’s) what was once a “Ph.D. level” martial art became a form of physical culture for the masses. I believe the Yang Style is a style which is most amenable to the greatest number of beginners of all ages and physical condition levels.
But whatever Style you study, as long as you get correct instruction, will eventually work for you, if you practice with perseverance.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Questions from Tai Chi Newbies
I recently have received a number of questions from beginning Tai Chi students.
So these questions and answers are somewhat basic. If you are already an advanced Player, they may be superfluous for you. In my next post, I will feature a few more FAQ from new Tai Chi students.
I want to learn Tai Chi, but have no idea how to find a class.
First, take a look at your Yellow Pages under the heading Martial Arts.
Many Tai Chi schools are listed in that category.
Second, check out your local YMCA, or local Community College continuing education courses.
Third, go to your natural food store or co-op and look at their bulletin board. Many Tai Chi teachers post notices on these boards.
How do I know if my teacher is teaching real Tai Chi? There seem to be many “versions” of Tai Chi—and they are all different!
The most important qualifier for a teacher is that s/he can demonstrate a “lineage” that goes back to a legitimate “style” of Tai Chi. There are the Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun Styles, and the earlier, lesser known WuDang Style. The former are named after famous Tai Chi families who developed them. You can also find modern formulations from “Sports Committees” in China. These are usually called the “24,” “48,” etc. to denominate the number of movements in each Form. Generally, these modern forms are composites, adapting movements from the earlier traditional Styles.
The critical factor is that your prospective teacher can show that the form s/he is teaching derives from one of the Family Styles mentioned above, or from a recognized modern form. They should know the “lineage” of their teachers all the way back to a Family Style founder or modern form.
I have heard that Tai Chi is a martial art, but my teacher said Tai Chi is “non-violent” and is about health and meditation. I am confused…
Tai Chi originated as a martial art. And understanding it as a martial art is ESSENTIAL to successful practice. That is, in practicing any individual movement, you must understand its use in “application,” or self-defense, even if you do not actively practice the defensive aspects.
Remember, Tai Chi, by its very definition, is based on Yin and Yang. We could say that health and meditation are its Yin aspects, and martial application is its Yang element. The art is incomplete without a fusion of these two aspects.
That said, you can get many health benefits, even if you do not engage in the specialized training of Tai Chi as martial art. But you must at least understand the martial art meaning of every movement, or your energy will not be concentrated effectively.
If your teacher has "no clue" about the martial aspects of Tai Chi, I would respectfully look elsewhere.
My teacher got very angry with me the other day. I noticed that there was a back room in our Tai Chi school where some advanced students were practicing. I went over to take a look, but my teacher quickly pulled me back, saying that those students were practicing “secret techniques”—and that I should not look in there again. What did I do wrong?
Your teacher must be very traditional. In old China, before the 20th century, martial arts such as Tai Chi were often guarded very closely as family “secrets.” That is because the entire village or clan used their martial art as their “security system” to protect the people from attacks by bands of roving robbers. With the advent of modern weaponry, most traditional teachers are more relaxed about revealing what used to be “secret techniques.” Even a mediocre user of a pistol can defeat the most advanced expert in “secret” empty hand martial arts.
My own main teacher, T.T. Liang, was very generous in teaching all of his “secrets.” He said the only real “secret” was whether or not a student would practice deeply enough to “get” the technique.
In the case you mentioned above, just be sure to respect your teacher.
Is any Style of Tai Chi the ONLY REAL style? My friend is studying a different style of Tai Chi than I am and tells me his teacher says that his style is the only genuine style and that I am wasting my time. Is this true?
Some teachers have a great deal of pride in their lineage and style. There is nothing wrong with that. However, as long as a style has a legitimate lineage, as discussed earlier, it is a correct and genuine style. A more important question is whether a given style is the best for your own body and physical type.
After all, the original Styles were created by people of different strengths, body types, and personal temperament. They were geared to specific purposes. Some used smaller movements; some larger. Some stressed fast attack; others stressed “softness” and neutralizing attacks.
As long a your style has a proper lineage and is accurately taught, it is “correct.” And you can start with any style. At some point, after getting a solid base, you might want to branch out into another style, to see if it is a better fit to your physical type and temperament.
What is the most important element in learning Tai Chi?
In answer, I will defer to Grandmaster Cheng Man Ch’ing’s reply to the same question.
The most important is correct teaching, followed by perseverance, and natural talent.
NOTE:
I use the spelling Tai Chi in this blog because it is still the most recognized spelling in English, compared to the Wade-Giles “T’ai Chi” or the pinyin “Taiji.”
You can find some more advanced questions and answers about Tai Chi practice in my book Drawing Silk.
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Taiji%20Master%20Secrets.htm
So these questions and answers are somewhat basic. If you are already an advanced Player, they may be superfluous for you. In my next post, I will feature a few more FAQ from new Tai Chi students.
I want to learn Tai Chi, but have no idea how to find a class.
First, take a look at your Yellow Pages under the heading Martial Arts.
Many Tai Chi schools are listed in that category.
Second, check out your local YMCA, or local Community College continuing education courses.
Third, go to your natural food store or co-op and look at their bulletin board. Many Tai Chi teachers post notices on these boards.
How do I know if my teacher is teaching real Tai Chi? There seem to be many “versions” of Tai Chi—and they are all different!
The most important qualifier for a teacher is that s/he can demonstrate a “lineage” that goes back to a legitimate “style” of Tai Chi. There are the Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun Styles, and the earlier, lesser known WuDang Style. The former are named after famous Tai Chi families who developed them. You can also find modern formulations from “Sports Committees” in China. These are usually called the “24,” “48,” etc. to denominate the number of movements in each Form. Generally, these modern forms are composites, adapting movements from the earlier traditional Styles.
The critical factor is that your prospective teacher can show that the form s/he is teaching derives from one of the Family Styles mentioned above, or from a recognized modern form. They should know the “lineage” of their teachers all the way back to a Family Style founder or modern form.
I have heard that Tai Chi is a martial art, but my teacher said Tai Chi is “non-violent” and is about health and meditation. I am confused…
Tai Chi originated as a martial art. And understanding it as a martial art is ESSENTIAL to successful practice. That is, in practicing any individual movement, you must understand its use in “application,” or self-defense, even if you do not actively practice the defensive aspects.
Remember, Tai Chi, by its very definition, is based on Yin and Yang. We could say that health and meditation are its Yin aspects, and martial application is its Yang element. The art is incomplete without a fusion of these two aspects.
That said, you can get many health benefits, even if you do not engage in the specialized training of Tai Chi as martial art. But you must at least understand the martial art meaning of every movement, or your energy will not be concentrated effectively.
If your teacher has "no clue" about the martial aspects of Tai Chi, I would respectfully look elsewhere.
My teacher got very angry with me the other day. I noticed that there was a back room in our Tai Chi school where some advanced students were practicing. I went over to take a look, but my teacher quickly pulled me back, saying that those students were practicing “secret techniques”—and that I should not look in there again. What did I do wrong?
Your teacher must be very traditional. In old China, before the 20th century, martial arts such as Tai Chi were often guarded very closely as family “secrets.” That is because the entire village or clan used their martial art as their “security system” to protect the people from attacks by bands of roving robbers. With the advent of modern weaponry, most traditional teachers are more relaxed about revealing what used to be “secret techniques.” Even a mediocre user of a pistol can defeat the most advanced expert in “secret” empty hand martial arts.
My own main teacher, T.T. Liang, was very generous in teaching all of his “secrets.” He said the only real “secret” was whether or not a student would practice deeply enough to “get” the technique.
In the case you mentioned above, just be sure to respect your teacher.
Is any Style of Tai Chi the ONLY REAL style? My friend is studying a different style of Tai Chi than I am and tells me his teacher says that his style is the only genuine style and that I am wasting my time. Is this true?
Some teachers have a great deal of pride in their lineage and style. There is nothing wrong with that. However, as long as a style has a legitimate lineage, as discussed earlier, it is a correct and genuine style. A more important question is whether a given style is the best for your own body and physical type.
After all, the original Styles were created by people of different strengths, body types, and personal temperament. They were geared to specific purposes. Some used smaller movements; some larger. Some stressed fast attack; others stressed “softness” and neutralizing attacks.
As long a your style has a proper lineage and is accurately taught, it is “correct.” And you can start with any style. At some point, after getting a solid base, you might want to branch out into another style, to see if it is a better fit to your physical type and temperament.
What is the most important element in learning Tai Chi?
In answer, I will defer to Grandmaster Cheng Man Ch’ing’s reply to the same question.
The most important is correct teaching, followed by perseverance, and natural talent.
NOTE:
I use the spelling Tai Chi in this blog because it is still the most recognized spelling in English, compared to the Wade-Giles “T’ai Chi” or the pinyin “Taiji.”
You can find some more advanced questions and answers about Tai Chi practice in my book Drawing Silk.
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Taiji%20Master%20Secrets.htm
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
An Energy experiment--and FREEBIE for you
As students of Tai Chi, we are also students of QI, or students of Energy.
The vast majority of Tai Chi Players are interested in cultivating their QI for greater levels of health and vitality.
A relatively smaller number develop Qi as a means to cultivate Intrinsic Energy (Jin) to be discharged in self-defense situations or, more sportively, in Push Hands practice.
But many years ago, I began to see something very fascinating.
Although I met many people with very strong levels of QI during the time I was on my Tai Chi learning path, I was surprised (as a naïve young student) to find that they were not all “sages of the Tao.”
Indeed, some of them, not withstanding their high levels of energy, seemed to be quite unbalanced in terms of their life as a whole. Some had severe financial problems; a few others seemed dangerously aggressive; and a few more just didn’t seem happy. This came as a severe shock to me.
I had always thought that merely cultivating QI or developing proficiency in Tai Chi would automatically create a person with a balanced health, Spirit, and demeanor. This did not always seem to be true.
So I began to wonder---what HAPPENS to all the energy we cultivate in QI practices, such as Qigong and Tai Chi? The answer seemed to be that the Energy seems to shape itself to our overall Intent and outlook on life. The energy itself is neutral; it is the direction of our overall focus that determines whether the Energy ultimately brings us to our highest and best possible state, or leaves us in a condition of imbalance or dissatisfaction.
Around the time I was trying to solve this question for myself, a special friend and teacher appeared who introduced me to the Law of Attraction. At first, I was quite resistant to learning about it; it seemed to be really “out there,” some kind of product of New Age fantasy.
But I noticed my teacher seemed to be one of the most balanced, energized, and happiest people I had ever met---and she had never done ANY kind of Energy cultivation practices, or meditation whatsoever. She simply applied the Law of Attraction consistently in her life.
Everything just seemed to “appear” for her quite effortlessly. She was extremely prosperous and just seemed to be a magnet for one positive occurrence after another.
In time I myself became a serious student of the Law and have been practicing it for many years now. I think practicing Law of Attraction is an absolute natural course for Tai Chi students! We spend years developing high levels of Energy; why not learn to deploy this Energy in the most beneficial ways for our self and others?
After my own 15 years of investigating and practicing the Law, I wrote down the very best ways I have found to apply and use it practically in everyday life in a 60 page E-book. It is NOT just woooooie, wooooie, “positive thinking,” but a very scientific and precise process.
Here is my experiment:
I have shared this with various friends and gotten positive feedback from all of them. Since I am planning to sell the book, I would like honest feedback from a reliable sample of people.
If you are at all interested in finding out an eminently practical way of applying the Law of Attraction in your life, I would love to hear from you.
I will be happy to send you a FREE copy of the E-book. I only ask that within 60-90 days, you e-mail me back your comments, either positive or negative. If positive, I will ask for your testimonial; if negative, I will improve the E-book!
Just e-mail me at alltaiji@aol.com and I will send you a copy of the e-book right away.
Thanks!
Your friend in Tai Chi,
paul gallagher
The vast majority of Tai Chi Players are interested in cultivating their QI for greater levels of health and vitality.
A relatively smaller number develop Qi as a means to cultivate Intrinsic Energy (Jin) to be discharged in self-defense situations or, more sportively, in Push Hands practice.
But many years ago, I began to see something very fascinating.
Although I met many people with very strong levels of QI during the time I was on my Tai Chi learning path, I was surprised (as a naïve young student) to find that they were not all “sages of the Tao.”
Indeed, some of them, not withstanding their high levels of energy, seemed to be quite unbalanced in terms of their life as a whole. Some had severe financial problems; a few others seemed dangerously aggressive; and a few more just didn’t seem happy. This came as a severe shock to me.
I had always thought that merely cultivating QI or developing proficiency in Tai Chi would automatically create a person with a balanced health, Spirit, and demeanor. This did not always seem to be true.
So I began to wonder---what HAPPENS to all the energy we cultivate in QI practices, such as Qigong and Tai Chi? The answer seemed to be that the Energy seems to shape itself to our overall Intent and outlook on life. The energy itself is neutral; it is the direction of our overall focus that determines whether the Energy ultimately brings us to our highest and best possible state, or leaves us in a condition of imbalance or dissatisfaction.
Around the time I was trying to solve this question for myself, a special friend and teacher appeared who introduced me to the Law of Attraction. At first, I was quite resistant to learning about it; it seemed to be really “out there,” some kind of product of New Age fantasy.
But I noticed my teacher seemed to be one of the most balanced, energized, and happiest people I had ever met---and she had never done ANY kind of Energy cultivation practices, or meditation whatsoever. She simply applied the Law of Attraction consistently in her life.
Everything just seemed to “appear” for her quite effortlessly. She was extremely prosperous and just seemed to be a magnet for one positive occurrence after another.
In time I myself became a serious student of the Law and have been practicing it for many years now. I think practicing Law of Attraction is an absolute natural course for Tai Chi students! We spend years developing high levels of Energy; why not learn to deploy this Energy in the most beneficial ways for our self and others?
After my own 15 years of investigating and practicing the Law, I wrote down the very best ways I have found to apply and use it practically in everyday life in a 60 page E-book. It is NOT just woooooie, wooooie, “positive thinking,” but a very scientific and precise process.
Here is my experiment:
I have shared this with various friends and gotten positive feedback from all of them. Since I am planning to sell the book, I would like honest feedback from a reliable sample of people.
If you are at all interested in finding out an eminently practical way of applying the Law of Attraction in your life, I would love to hear from you.
I will be happy to send you a FREE copy of the E-book. I only ask that within 60-90 days, you e-mail me back your comments, either positive or negative. If positive, I will ask for your testimonial; if negative, I will improve the E-book!
Just e-mail me at alltaiji@aol.com and I will send you a copy of the e-book right away.
Thanks!
Your friend in Tai Chi,
paul gallagher
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A First Hello.....
Hello, Tai Chi Players,
This is the first of many blogs in which I will be sharing exciting and useful news and insight on Tai Chi (Taiji), Qigong, Meditation, Taoism and other "paths to Immortality."
Please visit again soon. You will be happy you did.
Till then,
all best regards,
paul gallagher
This is the first of many blogs in which I will be sharing exciting and useful news and insight on Tai Chi (Taiji), Qigong, Meditation, Taoism and other "paths to Immortality."
Please visit again soon. You will be happy you did.
Till then,
all best regards,
paul gallagher
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