It is nearly time, again, to say goodbye to the great scenery, Taiji brothers and sisters, the local folks, and the great food here on Daqingshan. I am due for this report.
I have only one suggestion to offer my fellow Taiji brothers and sisters for their quests, and that is to watch Shifu. At that, to put it bluntly: shut up, and watch. I remember this photo of me from last year where I had this puzzled look while watching Shifu doing a demonstration. The thought that went through my mind was of bewilderment: I see it, and can understand in my head what took place, but I cannot either replicate it or fathom that it is possible. Ironically, that is the same sentiment that nearly prevented me from starting Practical Method. This year, I still watch in bewilderment, but perhaps, less puzzled.
What is passed on to us from Master Hong is that of very solid principles; every year, Master teaches us the same principles, perhaps explained in a different perspective; nonetheless, the same principles. By watching over and over again, and blindly apply them in our daily practice, you will experience improvement and understanding, or perhaps a better word: enlightenment. The principles are constant, your improvement is the result of what has changed in you.
See you guys next year!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Very well said Nick, missed you guys this year.
Thanks, Linlin. Your are often mentioned in our conversations here.
Nick – I often feel how you look in that picture! Hope to see you next year – Daniel
Yeah, man! It is less of a good time without your jokes.
Ah… saying goodbye. Would that I had been able to visit and train this year! No talking or thinking, just blindly following, very well put.
Hope to meet all of you next year!
Hugo
Thanks for sharing this. The Practical Method is a way to real success.
You are welcome, Niko!
I do want to add one thing here. I would try to be as politically correct as possible. Like any worthy ideas that are promoted, the idea is often shrouded by the promotion. In gong fu, we strive to be practical, however, a lot of other teachers won’t even let you touch them while you learn. Perhaps you might be able to learn something like that; with Practical Method, even when my hands are engaged in a controlled experimental manner, I still don’t get (and with get, I mean replicate) what Shifu is doing.
Our tournament is, although, in its infancy, at least a fair one. We allow anyone and anybody to participate despite the fact that us losing would mean “losing face” for our school, sort of speak. I cannot, and it make me annoyed, that I cannot say the same for some neighbouring ones.
If you can afford it, come next year for support! Better yet, see what ways you could come next year for support!
Openness is a sign that someone not only adheres to those principles in their practice, but in their life. Although it must make the job of teaching a harder road, it helps to insure those very principles be passed on, simultaneously reflecting their validity. I personally find this aspect of Master Chen’s teaching and Practical Method very inspiring.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Bruce. It would be great to see you on the mountain next year.
I would love to be there, and am attempting to simplify my involvements in order to reach that goal.
Excellent!
Master Chen´s Practical Method is really Open-Source-Taiji.
for sure!
With the important distinction that it is not to be modified.
To be more specific as to what I was referring to was Master Chen’s teaching that “Open Structure within a closed system gives life to our taiji actions” from the “Open and Close” video. He went on to say that in nature this is also the case and gave the example of a tree. This made me think alot about this statement for weeks, how so many things in nature from solar systems to galaxies to atomic structure bear this out…reminding me… we cut windows and doors into a house…the structure of the house provides the framework, but the empty space makes it useful…he went on to teach about the many triangles in our taiji structure, and how two sides of each triangle are segments on our body, but the third is in empty space and must be actualized. The nature of this website and Master Chen’s framework for events, workshops, tournaments etc. follow this principle in that he provides us with 2 sides of the triangle and leaves the third leg open for us to participate and learn. It certainly has brought a wellspring of new life and understanding to my Taiji.