Your page, for your contributions.
Always welcome. Just E Mail to Richard.
Here's a page for you, the reader, the student, the teacher. You can send your comments, ideas or questions to the E mail address on 'contact' page and I will post them here. (Only nice ones of course!) Please use it, don't be shy, your view is as valid as anyone else's. We can all learn, as you will too by joining in.
Our first contributor - well done.
I am new to Tai Chi and therefore feel unqualified to add comments to this website. However Richard has asked members of his Monday Class to contribute from ‘ a students point of view ’ So here goes : -
My first reaction to Tai Chi was - how can any one individual movement be so simple and yet so complicated. Looking at just the movements, ie: where to put one’s hands or feet is relatively simple - How to do it though …….. Where the energy or power to do it, comes from ? - Where the intention lies ? - How to be centred within the body and also focused outside ? - How to look beyond ? - How to move like a cat with the power of a madman ? - And as you can see, words get in the way and stop at theory.
I like my Monday Class. I like where Tai Chi takes me. I like the fact that you can never know it all - it’s never ending. And I like the fact that our teacher Richard is open about his journey and tries each week to bring us some insight or discovery to help open our minds to new ways of seeing.
Part of Nelson Mandela’s speech at his Inaugural Address in 1994 says : -
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that frightens us …………
The practice of Tai Chi I believe, allows us to embrace our innate strength and power, and switch on our light.
Pam
Words of a master, not of a student, it should be on the inspirations page. Richard.
...... and now our second contributor, ........
Here's my comment for your page if you wish to include them:
"The sign of a great Tai Chi teacher is one that does not take himself too seriously, laughs a lot and makes the occasional mistake. You get all three of these qualities with Richard so he must be truly great teacher! ;-)
Joking aside Richard teaches and passes on many of the internal "secrets" of Tai Chi that one may go through many years without discovering for yourself or being shown. They are a short cut to better Tai Chi and sometimes can be a life enhancing "light bulb" moment when it all comes together.
Richard will humbly mention about his own journey through Tai Chi and that he still remains a student in many respects. He will also discuss some of the spiritual aspects of the practice. Many teachers will not do this for either fear of looking foolish or that they are plainly unaware themselves.
As the Tao Te Ching says:
The wise teach without telling,
allow without commanding
have without possessing
care without claiming
Richard will tell you "make your Tai Chi your own" so whether you are going to his lesson to get fitter, heal your mind or for relaxation you can make it whatever you want it to be, with no pressure attached.
On that basis of the above I can whole heartedly recommend Richards teaching and Tai Chi and look forward to many years of continued practice."
Regards
Greg
Wow! Thank you. There's a lot to live up to here.
I feel we are all students together, hopefully friends together, on an exciting journey of discovery to health and longevity ........ each time someone happily joins us on our path, it makes us even more sure it is the right one. Richard.
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Our third contribution and seemingly far too generous ... but what the hell ....
Here is my modest contribution to your reader's page.- hope you approve.
" An Oasis of Peace or a Wonderful Madman in charge - you decide!!
With a generosity of inspirational teachings, a kind heart and a wicked sense of humour.
We might be all luckier than we realise.
With his knowledge he shows us the way, but we have to walk it.
When one moves, we all move.
When one flies, we all fly - let's fly first class with Richard.
William "
When someone so wise as William says it then it must be true! Richard
Hi Richard,
What a lovely class you have!! All seem very wise!
Include the following at your own risk!!
I have known Richard for 1 year now, and have travelled thousands of miles together (well to Beijing, and that coach journey to Handan felt like it!) got to know him well. He is a very modest man, and very humble about his great abilities! Taking with Richard is always such a pleasure, he always listens to what you are saying, he doesn't just hear you talk like many people do! He has a detailed knowledge of Taijiquan and is a excellent practitioner of the art, and im sure a wonderful teacher.
anyway, I must get back to my training ready for the European champs' in Sweden on Thursday!!
Prof. Hu Xiao Fei said to me in China;
"Enjoy Taiji,
Enjoy exercise,
Enjoy life."
Very fitting quote for you my friend.
Best wishes,
Christian Flux (Longfei, Weymouth) & Amy Felstead
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Well, I've accepted the risk .... mostly to my ego I think, and all my students will be wondering if it really was me in China! Good luck in the competition, we all wish you well. Richard
We shall not cease from exploration,
And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive
where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Taken from a poem by - T.S. Eliot - Little Gidding part 5 Four Quartets
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A brahmin once asked the Buddha " Are you a God ?"
" No Brahmin " said the Buddha
" Are you a saint ? "
" No Brahmin " said the Buddha
" Are you a magician " ?
" No Brahmin " said the Buddha
" What are you then " ?
" I am awake "
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A zen story tells of a young man who went deep into the mountains to ask a master to teach him swordsmanship. The young man asked how long this training would take. The master replied ' Ten years.' The young man said, ' My father is old, and I must care for him. If I work hard how long will it take. ?' The master replied. ' That way, thirty years.' The young man was alarmed, ' First you said ten years, now you say thirty years, I don't care how much hardship I have to bear, I must learn in the shortest amount of time.' The master replied. ' In that case, it will take seventy years. '
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More inspiring content from Pam, well done and thanks, Richard
T S Elliot wrote also, 'we are where we are not'. ....... I had to have it explained!
In the exploration quote above, it is the same as in your Tai Chi .... you already have all the answers ... you just don't understand them yet ... keep exploring ! *******************
The article on your website "Martial prowess and self defence" makes interesting reading.
Tai chi, like the diamond, has many facets.
Hope you find this interesting:
Extremes are to be avoided since they are incompatible with balance, putting undue weight on one side or the other, whether religious, political or moral. Extremes are the sphere of the essentially ignorant and immature. All militancy is a mistake; being an extreme measure, it involves 'excess of strength' in which 'there exits regret' and from which it is difficult to retreat in the event of going too far - flexibilty and command of the situation are lost and over-balance and catastrophe become inevitable. All extremes contain a certain degree of pathological, and emotional or mental excess and imbalance: they defeat their own ends in arousing strong opposition and in giving rise to fanaticism and bigotry. Taoism, Confusianism and Buddhism all preach the Doctrine of the Mean. It is a difficult path to tread. "The knowing go beyond it, and the stupid do not come up to it, but 'the perfect man embodies the course of the Mean'. It is 'to show forbearance and gentleness in teaching others', and when 'the stakes of equilibrium and harmony exits in perfection, a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth and all things will be nourished and flourish but the path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left it would not be the path.'
Thanks to William for supporting the web site and sharing his wisdoms with us. Richard
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Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Clear mind.
Tai Chi
Unwind.
Tai Chi
Shoulders relax.
Tai Chi
Soft backs.
Tai Chi
Inner power.
Tai Chi
Feel it flower.
Tai Chi
Open joints.
Tai Chi
Power points.
Tai Chi
Flowing grace.
Tai Chi
Strong base.
Tai Chi
Brush Knee.
Tai Chi
Be free.
Tai Chi
Ever learning
Tai Chi
Perfection yearning.
Tai Chi
Bubbling well.
Tai Chi
On it dwell.
Tai Chi
Brings calm.
Tai Chi
Mind balm.
Tai Chi
Contains all.
Tai Chi
Hold ball.
Tai Chi
A beginning.
Tai Chi
No end.
June Williams
November 2008
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Here is a poem I wrote some time ago.
We arrive with love
We work and learn with love
And we leave with much love
For without love we are as
The candle waiting to be extinguished
But to act in pure love
We illuminate the world
Please include in your website if you approve.
Your friend on the path,
William
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No doubt true but not easy. Richard Have added a photo below.
"Seeing's believing, but feeling's the truth" ;
from Ian,
who according to the group was destined via this synchronistic coincidence to be used as a channel for a higher being ... which is why that fortune cookie fell to him at the Tai Chi group's Christmas Chinese dinner.
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Can you walk on water ? You have done no better than a straw.
Can you fly through the air ? You are no better than a gnat.
Conquer your heart - then you may become somebody
Khwaja Abdullah Ansari of Herat 1005 1090
from Pam
' Before embarking on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.' - Confucius
( Sent in by Pam, well done for supporting the reader's page ... the very life blood of the Universe .
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Mya
'When we frantically search for something in a desperation brought on by fear of running out of time - are we then inadvertently putting ourselves in a constant state of always being the Seeker, and consequently never the Finder? Could it be that it is only when we let go of the outcome, relax into a state of complete stillness, and arrive at the blissful everlasting state of 'now' - that the state of being we so desire, turns up?
Last week I was in Wales - such a fascinating place of contrasts... One day I went to Bodnant Gardens near Conwy, and walked in the rain amongst the tall trees and chattering brooks. It took me back to childhood - to the magic stories of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, to a time when I felt fully present and usually in my 'now' moment. It was easy to feel these familiar feelings in this beautiful place of calm, quiet and safety. I stopped to look at a beautiful milky white bloom, nodding at me from the hedgerow, so vibrant and fresh in the cleansing quality of the gentle Welsh rain. I bent forward to try to capture it's scent, and immediately felt what I can only describe as an embrace. The plant held me in such sweetness and gentleness as I can ever remember. It was wonderful and enlightening to me, and in that 'now' moment I really became aware of the character and personality of the plant. It had a childlike, innocent quality - pure, sweet and loving...
For a moment, me and the plant, in that beautiful Welsh garden, were one...
This, to me, is what we are surely always looking for... this to me, was a moment of pure bliss :'
Another great contribution from Mya, thank you.
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You need to take out the stones and put in more provisions.
Matthew Ricard, Buddhist Monk From William
This is a wonderful analogy and I have used it to good effect already. I was worrying about a couple of things the other evening and I thought, ' Hey, I don't need these in my rucksack, I need something better, something worth carrying., So thanks William.
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COME ON...... DON'T BE SHY ...... YOUR OPINION IS VALUABLE.
Some one must be reading this , so, if it is you, drop us a line and tell us what you think.
FEEL FREE ; FREEDOM IS WHAT WE SEEK IN TAI CHI; AND IT CAN BE YOURS ON THIS PAGE.
Your ideas, your opinions, suggestions, questions!
IF YOU SUBMIT SOMETHING YOU LATER DON'T LIKE .
I'LL REMOVE IT ON REQUEST
GET THAT TYPING FINGER AND YOUR NEURONS INTO GEAR. BE NOT AFRAID.
FEAR IS THE ENEMY.
IF YOU WAIT FOR PERFECTION YOU'LL BE IN THE QUEUE A LONG, LONG TIME !
COME ON - LETS HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS TOO !!