For Whom the Writer Blogs

 

In San Miguel I picked up a little book called “Gringo Haiku” in which the ex-pat author or one of her friends had written the following:

 

In San Miguel ask

Not for whom the bell tolls, nor

why it tolls, nor when.

 

Or something like that.....and for any visitor to San Miguel this haiku will easily bring a chuckle of recognition for the church bells are ringing all the time and at all hours or even just moments past the hour. There were mornings we classmates would ask ourselves, “Is it is a special occasion today or just 9 o’clock?” We never knew. And then, of course there were the days when fireworks announced the dawn…..set off at the house next door I am positive!

 

Well, on a similar note, today one of my students asked me, “Do you have a particular audience in mind when you are writing your blog?”  What I should have told her was…..”yes, I am thinking of you, dear reader”  Whoever you may be.  Because, I do truly hope that anyone who reads this finds something interesting or useful or entertaining and maybe even slightly related to your tai chi practice.

 

When I am writing -  I am thinking of three people – one is “my student” a composite of all my real live students and myself as student.  Can I offer something helpful to your practice? The second person is “my teacher” -again, a composite of all my real live teachers and my own teacher-self.  Can I offer something reasonably true to the principles that each has taught me? And finally, I am in many respects writing to me. Me today to discover what I am thinking, and me in the future to remind me one day of where I have been on this strange journey of mine. Can I offer something honest and courageous?  Helpful, principled,  honest and courageous.

 

I am not sure this blog fits the bill…..But, I am reminded that blogs these days are a bit like the church bells in San Miguel – going off all the time in every direction. I have to ask not for whom the writer blogs – for in truth I believe the writer blogs for themselves and none other. And like bells ringing through the streets, sometimes the blogs hit just the right note for that someone else who happens to be within hearing range. And sometimes, it is just more noise.

 

Til the next blog- Enjoy your practice

 

Dorian

Study, Play, Learn

 

I am inspired by an article I read by Rabbi Rami Shapiro in Spirituality and Health Magazine this month, in which he discusses the three methods of study, pray, and learn as they relate to religious practice.  In the briefest terms he explains that “study puts you outside the text, praying puts you inside the text, and learning puts the text inside you.”

 

Well, I didn’t have to think very long to feel the truth of the effectiveness of these methods in relation to my tai chi – I just make a conscious substitution of ‘play’ for’ pray’ (though one might be tempted to make a case that they are synonymous) and I find his thoughts are completely applicable.  So with shameless borrowing of his words, I offer the following:

 

When I study tai chi, I examine it objectively, looking for clues to its meaning and effectiveness in Chinese culture and cosmology, in the structure of human anatomy and emotion, in theories of movement and sports dynamics, and in martial history and comparative arts. I read the classic writings and interpretations and explanations.  I listen to and consider my teacher’s instructions.  The art is clearly something outside of me.

 

When I play tai chi, I do not stand outside tai chi, but inside it. When I begin my form I do not stand outside myself and watch from above, but rather, I inhabit my form, exploring the sensation of peng, feeling the strength of brush knee, the calm of wave cloud hands. When I practice the eight preparatory push hand drills, I feel the force from my partner and the emotions and energy that may come with that, and I do what I need to remain neutral and to receive their force. I feel the power of transformation, of harmonizing inner and outer, and I let Tai Chi change me.

 

When I learn tai chi, I internalize it and allow my imagination to take me beyond the drills and the forms as taught. Nothing about the texts or contexts of Tai Chi, nor the playing of the forms and drills as written, can reveal to me what my ego conceals. But with learning, I step beyond the texts and the teachings and I co-create a living art. Think of it as improvisation, or just mixing it all up. The art acts as a catalyst for self-revelation. I am no longer practicing the art, I am practicing being myself.

 

His advice is to practice all three fearlessly. I agree - study, play, and learn fearlessly – and with great joy.

 

It’s good to be home, enjoy your practice

Dorian