Tai Chi is an ancient Taoist practice that forms a bridge connecting the mind, body & spirit through continuous, fluid, disciplined movement. Ongoing practice develops a youthful looking, light body, a quiet, relaxed mind, a stable emotionally grounded presence, and an animated spirit. The word "Tai Chi' can be translated as, "The supreme ultimate force". The practice induces a state of supreme relaxation in which every ounce of physical tension dissolves, every thought and emotional wave moving comes to rest as one falls into stillness while in motion. When directly in contact with this stillness in motion one becomes connected to and aware of this underlying "chi" energy intrinsic to oneself and the whole living universe.
I practice the Guang Ping Yang form of Yang Lu Chan's eldest son Yang Ban Hou. This form is one of the least watered down versions of the Yang styles of tai chi and it was brought to San Francisco in the 60's by Master Chiangs teacher, Master Kuo lien ying. It comes directly from Master Y.C. Chiang who is fifth in a direct line of lineage holders of the secret Guang Ping Yang form.
Sean Kelly, Chin to toe in 78 days
Quotes from my teacher Eli and his wife Gangaji regarding Meditation Practice
" My Taoist Teacher, Chiang Shirfu, taught me the meaning of Kung Fu. "Kung" is time and "Fu" is man. Together they point to practice. Whatever you put your mind to you develop Kung Fu, whether it is gardening or drinking beer. I had been an undisciplined hippie when I started with Shirfu, from him I learned the beauty of a disciplined life. I recommend everyone develop their Kung Fu, their practice, their atttempt at perfecting form. This will not lead to self realization but can help in living a healthy disciplined life. True meditation is not about perfecting a form. Who you are is already perfect and needs no practice to be itself. Meditation is the art of completely open, relaxed vigilance. True Meditation is supreme relaxation in Silence. When the mind is open and at rest, it is aware of the most subtle arising of mind waves. Vigilance is the willingness for the mind to be still and not pick up the next wave of thought. If you are not vigilant, old story lines will be picked up, and the mind will become lost back in the dream of personal suffering. Since true meditation is full time and has no requirements, you are free to pursure the activities that appear in the field of consciousness without taking them personally. In the range of possible human activity, sitting quietly, meditation, practice, chanting, yoga, tai chi, gardening, in fact anything can be beautiful practice and more fulfilling than idly wasting precious moments of awareness. The possibility is to meet whatever arises. Then you are living instead of someone practicing. You are Silence instead of someone practicing silence. " Eli Jaxon Bear
"There are practices where you do mantras, visualizations, prostrations, or some kind of selfless service. They are all designed to still the mind so that it is not obsessing on what is needed in order to reveal true fullfillment. Practices are excellent for honing the power of the mind to both focus and surrender. Let us acknowledge that our spiritual practices serve us, that they are gift from the masters who have come before us. But let us also acknowledge that the truth of who we are is here, now and that all of our practices have been ways of searching for what is already here, of trying to clear a path back to our own hearts. In this moment you can realize what does not need to be practiced in order to exist. This is the simplest, easiest and most obvious truth. What has kept it secret throughout the ages is its absolute simplicity and its immediate availability" - Gangaji
