Rusty

Most adults have undertaken virtually no physical exercise or serious study since leaving school.
Their brains and bodies are somewhat rusty and neglected.
You may know the saying "Use it or lose it".

Why is it that we crave to be recognized, to be made much of, to be encouraged? Why is it that we are such snobs? Why is it that we cling to our exclusiveness of name, position, acquisition? Is anonymity degrading, and to be unknown despicable? Why do we pursue the famous, the popular? Why is it that we are not content to be ourselves? Are we frightened and ashamed of what we are, that name, position and acquisition become so all-important? It is curious how strong is the desire to be recognized, to be applauded. In the excitement of a battle, one does incredible things for which one is honoured; one becomes a hero for killing a fellow man. Through privilege, cleverness, or capacity and efficiency, one arrives somewhere near the top - though the top is never the top, for there is always more and more in the intoxication of success. The country or the business is yourself; on you depend the issues, you are the power. Organized religion offers position, prestige and honour; there too you are somebody, apart and important. Or again you become the disciple of a teacher, of a guru or Master, or you co-operate with them in their work. You are still important, you represent them, you share their responsibility, you have and others receive. Though in their name, you are still the means. You may put on a loincloth or the monk's robe, but it is you who are making the gesture, it is you who are renouncing.

 In one way or another, subtly or grossly, the self is nourished and sustained. Apart from its antisocial and harmful activities, why has the self to maintain itself? Though we are in turmoil and sorrow, with passing pleasures, why does the self cling to outer and inner gratifications, to pursuits that inevitably bring pain and misery? The thirst for positive activity as opposed to negation makes us strive to be; our striving makes us feel that we are alive, that there is a purpose to our life, that we shall progressively throw off the causes of conflict and sorrow. We feel that if our activity stopped, we would be nothing, we would be lost, life would have no meaning at all; so we keep going in conflict, in confusion, in antagonism. But we are also aware that there is something more, that there is an otherness which is above and beyond all this misery. Thus we are in constant battle within ourselves. The greater the outward show, the greater the inward poverty.

 (Krishnamurti)

I find it really great working to a syllabus and having structured learning that challenges me. A lot of activities you can pick up as an adult are very basic and stay at an low level so I tend to feel a bit stagnant.
(Amelia)

Seeing an old man who wanted to take up philosophy but was embarrassed, Socrates said to him, "Don't be embarrassed to become better at the end of your life than you were to begin with."

 (Thomas Cleary)

Regret

You suddenly realise that you have drifted along in life, letting others choose for you and mould your fate.
All the work and strife and long hours and sacrifice have resulted in this.
The fat lazy, inflexible, prematurely old body...
Unmotivated. Indifferent.
A job you care nothing for.
Your life ahead of you involves growing old, retiring, dying...

The question

Many people reach a point in their lives where they take stock of their existence.
They look at their partner or spouse.
Their relationship with friends and family.
The kids.
Work.
The individual is troubled by what they see.
Things are not quite what they had hoped for.
They ask: Is this really what I want to do with my life?

Classes resume 8th January

http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/Classes.htm

Assistant teacher - David Cousins

David has been with the school for over 2 years and is an incredibly talented, funny, modest guy.
He has a background in karate, 2 medical degrees and an impressive professional career.
David is a man of diverse interests and many hidden skills e.g. David designs, bakes and decorates stupendous birthday cakes for his sons.
Thoughtful, insightful and astute, David is a keen observer of human behaviour. He finds himself deeply intrigued by taijiquan biomechanics.

Allusion & metaphor

Taijiquan and baguazhang rely heavily upon Taoism. Both arts are the embodiment of Taoist principles: yin/yang & bagua diagram. To truly understand, use and communicate in these arts, you need to speak the language. This doesn't necessarily mean Chinese, but rather, Ancient Contemplative Taoism and martial theory.

A similar situation occurred in Star Trek The Next Generation where Picard meets a race that only communicates in references to events/incidents/people that are unique to their own own culture e.g. "Shaka when the walls fell..." Huh?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darmok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7fqg7WwIw - this is really useful

Sifu and myself share much a common familiarity with The Book of Five, The Way and Its Power, The Way of Chuang Tzu, The Art of War, The Tai Chi Classics (and many other books), so we can easily and readily refer to themes contained within those texts.

http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/recommended_reading.htm 

Midlife crisis?

It is common for people to crack up, do erratic things: buy a sports car, take up a reckless pursuit, travel the world, get divorced, have an affair...
These are knee jerk reactions. 
They may provide a short-term thrill but are simply an attempt to paper over the cracks.
The real problem is you. 

Last lesson 2017

Christmas?

When the presents have been opened and the food eaten, it is tempting to wonder if Christmas was really worth all that fuss...
Why bother making the effort?
 
Taoism addresses this question.
Verse 5 of The Way and Its Power - Straw Dogs: http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/straw_dogs.htm
The samurai thought about it too: http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/cherry_blossom.htm

Taoism and the samurai both felt that a full, rich life entailed immersing oneself fully.
No trepidation or half-heartedness.
They advocated complete commitment and resolve; knowing full well that one day we will die.
After all, what alternative is there?
Should we lie in bed all day? Not shower? Not shave?
 Life will continue whether we live it or not.
Tai chi encourages us to embrace life and enjoy these fleeting moments. They are important, albeit ephemeral.
The quality of our life can be measured not in terms of money and possessions but rather in its fullness and its joy.

Be honest

The first step in living a deliberate life is to recognise - fully and completely - that you made the choices.
Not somebody else.
Your current situation is the outcome of hundreds of choices across the span of your life.
Is this not true?
Now, recognise that you can make new choices.
Different choices... Better choices...

Are you wiser in hindsight?

Many of the things we have done in our lives seem less than impressive in hindsight.
There were many mistakes; poor choices.
This is OK.

If we can look back and see that they turned out to be mistakes - and honestly see the folly - then we are a little wiser.
Nobody is perfect.
We cannot see the future.
Are we smarter now then we were then? This is the real question...

Did you invest in yourself?

Since leaving school/college/university how much time, effort and money have you committed your own self-development?
How many languages have you learned?
What skills have you acquired?
Do you eat a nutritious, organic, healthy diet?
Is your fitness good?
Have you invested in a form of exercise that is sustainable throughout the span of your life?
Did you spend time exploring the nature of life?
Do you meditate?
How many calm-inducing activities and practices have you adopted?
Are your daily habits peaceful or stressed?
Is your body strong, agile, flexible, supple, resilient?
Do you need medical assistance?
Are you taking prescription pharmaceuticals?
Would you say that you are capable of defending yourself against assault?
Have you spent much time on your spiritual life?
Do you study?

Not knowing is nearest

Where do I go? What will I do? How will I cope? Can you tell me the answer?Doubts, uncertainty, risk, insecurity...
This is the stuff of life.
Nobody knows the future. Nobody can say what will happen.
Not knowing is what makes life thrilling.
If you want answers, find them out for yourself.