Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan) has been a popular health exercise for many centuries. Its popularity continues around the world. Although people practice tai chi to promote health, in its origin it is a form of martial art, a form of self defense.
My father’s only brother was ten years younger than my father. As a traditional older brother, my father felt a strong sense of responsibility for him. So when my uncle turned twenty, my father began to try to find him a wife. My uncle refused to get married and ran away.
I formally became the disciple of Zen Master Pu Yu of Bubble Spring Temple on Drum Mountain in Fujian Province, China, right after the end of the Cultural Revolution in the late 1970’s. At that time, the temple had few monks and hardly any visitors. After the private ceremony, Master Pu Yu gave me a pep talk that has guided my life since. He talked about Zen tradition, the temple’s history, and also spoke more informally and personally to me.
Pu Yu was the 133rd head master of Yungquan (“Bubbling Spring”) Temple on Gu Shan (“Drum Mountain”) in Fuzhou, China. Established in the Tang dynasty, this monastery has over 1,200 years of history. I formally became his disciple in the late 1970s, just a few years after the end of the Cultural Revolution. At that time, due to the long suppression of religion in China, the temple had few monks and hardly any visitors. As a result, I was able to enjoy quite a bit of time with Master Pu Yu during my stay.
At first glance, tea and wine seem very different. Wine is made and stored as a liquid; tea is made and stored in the form of dried leaves. Wine is best aged while tea can be drunk fresh. Wine is served cold or at room temperature in a glass; tea is usually served hot in a ceramic cup. The temperature at which wine served is critical; tea can be served over a great range of temperature without losing its flavor. However, if we look at the art of wine tasting and compare it to the art of tea tasting, there are interesting similarities.
I was the youngest son among eight siblings (5 boys, 3 girls). In my childhood in Taiwan, my family was relatively well off. That was right after World War II. There were food shortages after the war. But we were fortunate because we had a big farm and hired many farm workers. So, we had plenty to eat.
The FBI’s war against Apple’s strong iPhone encryption has recently been much discussed in the United States. The FBI ruled that Apple must help to see what’s on an iPhone that belonged to one of the shooters involved in the mass killings in San Bernadino, California.
We often hear people say that they want to be on a spiritual path. Often they are people who have achieved worldly success but do not feel fulfilled. Or they may be people who are struggling, and hope to escape from the burdens and frustration of ordinary life.
That form defines energy and energy manifests information is the central concept of Form School feng shui. Every existing thing in the universe has three components: matter, chi energy, and information. What is visible to us is the matter aspect – but that contains the chi energy aspect, and the information aspect, even though they are not directly visible to us.
Chi Energy in Tai Chi Movement
Body, Chi and Mind are the three essentials in Tai Chi and other internal or healing arts.
Chinese medicine says: The Mind leads the Chi and the Chi leads the Blood. Our mind aspect can transcend personal limitations. Our Chi energy can nourish our physical and emotional health. Our movements can manifest as physical beauty.
Dr. Hsu will present these often neglected, though essential aspects of Tai Chi practice. His presentation will guide you through the practice whilst applying the principles of Mind and Chi energy to the movements.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of tai chi practitioners or those who wish to learn to apply these principles.
Time: Saturday October 25, 2014
2 – 4 PM
Place: Mercer Island Community & Event Center
8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, WA
Suggested Donation: $20:00
Dr Shan-tung Hsu began teaching Tai Chi locally in 1971. He was one of the first to introduce Tai Chi to the Pacific NW. He was the inspiration for founding the Five Willow Tai Chi Association. Dr. Hsu has been a committee member of the International Medical Qigong Association. He is the former publisher of World Qigong magazine. He has lectured on Chi energy and design globally for the past 30 years.
For further information contact: Diane Exeriede, 425-452-5581
Fivewillowtaichiseattle.org
