May 2009
Greetings!

 I hope this finds you enjoying the spring rain that brings the May flowers.  This is a reminder that Advanced Studies will meet this Saturday May 9, at Rose Lodge at 11 a.m. as usual.  I apologize for getting this letter out so late, but I have been finishing up a number of special events such as World Tai Chi Day activities, interviews, college classes, workshops and rehearsals for choreography for two different shows. Thank you for your patience.

Change is in the air. Spring is arriving with its colors and noise, and there is potential for great things. This is a time of observing the gradual improvement that continues to exert its pressure for eventual transformation.  Success at this time requires perseverance in paying attention to what the cosmic forces are tending towards. Timing in Tai Chi is everything. This is a time for openness, transparency, and self-control. Revolution is achievement. What does this mean? It means that a vision of the future includes the now. It means that we must learn to let go of outmoded aspects of our personalities and ways of working in the world. It is really time to become the powerful beings that we are meant to be. Every single day there is an opportunity to do more than merely survive. We must accelerate into the future with assurance that the past is behind us and in a positive way. Every day we must use our hearts and minds and our souls to propel us towards what can be done to make ourselves better, better as human beings, better as Taiji players, better as leaders in a world that needs leadership. I saw a program on the Oprah show the other day about bullying. It moved me. I feel that we need to help to create an anti-bullying program based on personal power and peer leadership for kids. This program is one that can increase the safety of our children, our society and ultimately can have an effect that reaches into the political arena as well. I want us all to contemplate this for a while and brainstorm on this towards the greatest effectiveness. I see afterschool programs, assembly programs and writings that can be helpful for a great number of people. 

The I-Ching suggests that we may be in for a shock, which could manifest itself as a thunderstorm, or some other dynamic event that can raise fear and trembling. Let us all be forewarned. Take caution when you travel. Be ready to deal with situations of surprise.  This is a time wherein you and all of us may demonstrate our ability to rise above the din of shocking events with tranquility and poise as our shield. Get control of the elements of your life. Make the right choices that increase your vitality, and that invite innovation and success to your awareness. Compose yourself. Respond from a place of virtue to any stimulus that would attempt to unseat you from your horse. Stand in your power. Cautious movement, coupled with appropriate fear and a reverence for the depth of unpredictable, awesome, and irresistible forces can bring you into recognition of your own inner nature at its core. As you begin to see yourself as powerful you will see what I see within each of you., mysterious and kind, exquisite and divine. You are the change that the world needs. Live it day to day, hour to hour, minute by minute. Lightening is brief, and the world is lit by it from time to time to stir the seed, and awaken the green thrust. Candles are brief too, but in a quieter fashion. Whatever our time is here let us each make the most of it for the betterment of the Earth our Mother, and for the betterment of humanity, her children. Dispel the darkness where you find it. Be a light to others so that they may see the way. Follow when you cannot lead, lead when you must, be true to yourself always. Change is the one constant in the Universe we can always depend on. Now is the time for the change that makes us all more truly the one we were meant to be.
PS: Please remember to RSVP so I can plan for food.  Bring plenty of water for the day and a plate, eating utensils and a mug if you would like a hot beverage.   Thanks.  Debbie

Yours truly,
David Chandler