Taiji Sword- "Waiting for a Fish" Photo courtesy of Jamie Urquhart |
Taiji Sword- "The Fairy Shows the Way" Photo courtesy of Jamie Urquhart |
That experience made me ponder the value of how I spend my time with myself and with others. I remember my mother, father, aunt, cousins, and friends that have died. Those recollections are always tinged with frayed edges of clarity and I'm never able to fully feel the past exactly as when it originally happened. Being here on the mountain nurtures my desire and capacity to be present at each moment now; savoring it deeply enough to, hopefully, have robust recall in the future.
The weather is gradually warming up and it's beginning to feel more like spring. We've switched from doing the winter set of Four Seasons Qigong to only the spring set coupled with the All Seasons set. I passed the Linear Yin-Yang Symbol test and just missed passing the Peng Lu Ji An stationery test. None of us passed the level 2 Centering test. So, in the next several weeks coming, we'll be retesting what we missed and include testing the Taijiquan form at medium speed. Hopefully, we'll be prepared
Taiji Sword- "The Fairy Shows the Way" Photo courtesy of Jamie Urquhart |
The graduation ceremony for the 10 and 5-year disciples is on June 23rd. Our group has been asked to perform the Taiji Saber sequence as part of the festivities that day. It's an honor to do so as a token of our respect and appreciation for the efforts they have invested in achieving their goals here at the Retreat Center. Many family members and other honored guests will be in attendance to celebrate their achievements.
As we practice the Taiji Saber sequence assiduously in preparation for the graduation performance, we continue to explore and learn the elements and sequences for both the Taiji Spear and Taiji Sword forms. What plays over and over in my mind is the saying, "One hundred days for Barehand. One thousand days for Spear; and ten thousand days for Taiji Sword." We literally began Taiji Sword several weeks ago. So, I have another 30 years of training and practice to attain some level of proficiency in Taiji sword. What is inspiring to me is that we are able to somehow hold these different sequences in our heads and bodies-barehand Taijiquan form, Taiji Staff, Taiji Saber, Taiji Spear, and Taiji Sword. Never mind the various Qigong sequences, too- 8 Pieces of Brocade, 5 Animal Sports, 4 Seasons Qigong, White Crane Soft Qigong, Taiji Qigong, Taiji Sword Qigong, and Taiji Ball Qigong. Then, there are those amusing moments when our minds are prepared to do a particular sequence, but our bodies begin doing something else. We laugh at ourselves and each other with a deep recognition that we are slowly embodying the ability to respond through improvisation rather than just rote memory.
Taiji Sword- "Send the Bird to the Woods" Photo courtesy of Jamie Urquhart |
There are several applicants to the new 3-Year training Program that begins this September. Many have already spent the required 2 week minimum evaluation period with the community here "on the mountain." Those who are selected will be the beneficiaries of the errors and corrections we made and will, hopefully, inherit an improved program experience. More on that topic at a later date.
For now, thanks again for all of your continued support. As I come to the home stretch to complete this program and prepare to be "in the valley," I may need one last generous donation from those of you who are not subscription donors. This summer break, I will be in New York City and have at least 2 workshops that I'm organizing to share some of what I've learned so far, as well as, to raise funds to complete my final periods of training. I will keep you posted on those details.
Taiji Sword Photo courtesy of Jamie Urquhart |
Doc
All things are possible once you clearly SEE it, commit your every action to achieving IT, and KNOW that what appears to be a roadblock in your way or failure is just PREPARATION for more than you ever anticipated achieving. Don't give in; never give up!