Archive for November 2007
The Role of Discipline and Attitude
Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 7:18 AM by Sifu Smith
"Discipline ourselves" is an often used phrase to encourage ourselves or others to behave in a certain way and/or accomplish certain tasks. Discipline also has other meaning and can create a different 'mind-context'. The original latin meaning of discipline is 'teaching,learning, from the latin work 'disciplina'. The term discipline is used today often as 'punishment'; as we correct the behavior of someone or ourselves. It is also less frequently used as the term describing a field of study.
Why talk about discipline to today? Recently a friend and myself were
discussing some 'life fires' they were facing and what impact these
events were having on their life. It was during the conversation that
the importance of attitude came up and one of the most powerful
statements I had ever read. The Dalai Lama wrote the following
statements and when I read them many years ago, things changed for me
tremendously.
"The only places where it is appropriate to apply discipline is in our lifestyle and attitude." This simple statement created tremendous reflection for me, because of some poor habits I had been exercising.
The Dalai Lama also wrote the following about attitude;
"Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it."
I came from a strong disciplinarian background and the context I had of the term 'discipline' was being punished for poor behavior or failure to meet expectation. When I was in my early twenties and started training with Master Chin we had began practicing Tai Chi, Kung Fu and of course, Posting. Master Chin would say, we must discipline ourselves to practice each day, to hang in there.
You can see the link-up in my mind. My tilted interpretation of Sifu Chin's encouragement created inner-tension, I practiced my posting, and if I messed up an exercise, I would make myself start over and do it without error. There was no fun or interesting experiences. One day as Sifu Chin, my classmate Paul, and myself were talking I shared with them this practice and Sifu Chin told me that I can not do that, it creates an inner tension.
This experience was powerful for me as it made me aware I had to have patience with myself, allow myself to make mistake, but keep working to improve. Rather than punish myself for each error. After nearly 20 years of embracing, applying, and sharing this understanding, I now apply it to the raising of my son.
I encourage you to exercise a bright attitude and allow yourself the personal wiggle room to grow. The discipline is to go out each day and practice and cultivate the inner soil and cleanse ourselves of the stresses and pressures. Some days a great practice, somedays not as noticable, but hang in there. The chi will cultivate and circulate much better in ourselves this way.
Master Chin Prime Life Magazine Article
Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 9:19 AM by Sifu Smith
Master Chin and Sifu Smith were interviewed in early 2006. The
following is an excerpt from the article.
"Becoming a Tai Chi Master is a lifelong
commitment. It doesn’t just happen overnight. Traditionally the
knowledge is passed from teacher to student in a relationship based on
time, dedication, and trust.
For Chin, the journey to master has
proven harrowing and epic – from fleeing communism to suffering three
heart attacks and multiple bypass surgeries, and then relearning his own
teaching to ensure his own recovery.
YOUTH IN TURMOIL
Chin was
born in Sun Wei City, Canton Province, China in March, 1943. Soon after
he was born his father left to join an American Army unit fighting the
Japanese in WWII. "
Posted in Stories
Tai Chi at NCSU
Posted on Thursday, November 08, 2007 at 10:12 AM by Sifu Smith
We had an excellent time sharing and practicing Tai Chi Chuan at NC
State University in Raleigh in the Courtyard of the Carolina's area.
There was a large turn-out and the NC State students practiced for an
hour. The work with Chi Kung and Tai Chi challenged the young group, and
they also had excellent questions.
They worked on Turn the Moon and Cloud Hands during the hour.
Here are some clips from the evening. It was a breezy evening so the audio isn't clear.Swimming Dragon Chi Kung and Tiger Licks Mane
What practice is complete without chin-to-toe?
Posted in Raleigh, Stories, Tai Chi
Our Student John
Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2007 at 7:46 PM by Sifu Smith
Many of you have asked about the update on John. As many of you know, he and his mule suffered a fall negotiating a 1700 foot mount in Hawaii. He broke 6 ribs, 4 lumbar spine. He is able to walk and has requested our thoughts and support.
Posted in Students
Raleigh School Schedule Nov 3 - 9
Posted on Friday, November 02, 2007 at 1:01 PM by Sifu Smith
Busy Week coming up. Master Chin's 4 day workshop is forecasted to be quite busy. Sifu Smith will hop down there peridiocally to assist Master Chin & Sifu Heintzmann where he can. The Tuesday (Nove 6th) class will be unaffected by this. The thursday evening class will certainly continue, either with myself, or led by senior students for the evening.
This Saturday; Nov 3, we have a new private student starting at 8:30,
then class. The forecast is for cool, so plan to be outside; by I will
have school open for anyone if it is too cool. Sunday Nov 4 from 7:45 -
11 am, there are 3 private kungfu sessions. We need some fresh
vegatables for lunch on saturday. Also I made a new Three Pepper Garlic
Sauce Today. Guarenteed to cleanse, Thank Dwight for the fresh
jalepeno's, the crushed red and cayenne are my contribution :) 
Monday, Nov 5th, Sifu Smith has confirmed to present a Tai Chi Introductionary Seminar at NC State at 4:30 pm. Expecting 50-100 participants.
We started a new private student today, Carol, who was a pleasure to work with and get to meet.
Friday Morning, Sifu Smith went and got more cleaning done in preparation to painting the new training hall.
Posted in Raleigh