July 2009
Greetings!

I hope you had a marvelous Independence Day. We have just arrived back from the International Taijiquan Symposium in Nashville. There were 8 of us who came from Eagle’s Quest, Debbie and I along with Paul and Sharon, Bill, Steve, Beth and her son Eric. The experience was extraordinary and will take some time to both integrate and share out with the group. I was very proud of everyone and how they handled such a dynamic responsibility of learning and how well everyone did in holding up the Eagle’s Quest standard. Besides the exacting routine that was established there, we had marvelous opportunities to meet with Grandmaster Sun and Master Zhao Wei, and the feelings of  joy in the reunion were indescribable. We will speak more to that later in person. As for now, I want to remind you that Advanced Studies will meet this Saturday, July 18, at Rose Lodge at 11a.m. 

This is a time of Retreat, or withdrawal from the world of dark forces. We must learn to protect ourselves, and our assets. When the moon is full, it shines brightly, and yet it is apparent that it must soon wane into darkness. This is the way of nature. In example, the shining stars of the Grandmasters who we just saw shining so brightly have faded from our view and we must integrate their light into the darkness that is arriving daily with such seemingly disheartening news of violence in the world. Be willing to remove yourself from the world of violence and avoid struggling with adversaries. When you cannot win the war you must stall the advance of your opponents. We must be determined in our detachment so that the inflexibility that we encounter does not overwhelm us. If you find that even within your closest relationships you find discord, you must look on it as merely a phase that one is going through. Do not rest in the discord, but remove yourself from the entanglement by retreating within. Compose yourself and become dispassionate and detached. Never abandon your principles, but be willing to retreat from conflict and attitudes that are fractious. It is unhealthy for your body/mind to live in continual stress and to battle endlessly in the turmoil of inner conflict. When you find yourself in the midst of people who hold inferior ideals, and you feel surrounded by attackers who bind your mind and your abilities, you must free your mind and your body by retreating inside. Have no guilt, and no doubt, your wellness and your safety is of great concern. When we learn to take care of ourselves we find reward and success. 

Gathering together we must know how to “renew our weapons to meet the unforeseen.” We must gather our inner awareness and focus our attention towards developing our mind intent, so that it can have the greatest level of efficacy. When we follow the Sage, we learn to lead the people on the path. In doing so the important thing is to know oneself and follow what is right and good within oneself; thereby, communicating the value of inner truth through the example of sincerity. Responsibility is developed by continual self-examination, and self-awareness that is honest and true. Firmness of character increases the spiritual aspects of the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. When we amass the characteristics that govern the laws of the Cosmos, and we uphold these principles with strength of character without wavering, we accumulate power. The effects of the practice of Tai Chi Chuan are cumulative. The more you play, the more benefits you accrue. The more you know, the more responsibility you have to share what you know. Outside stimulation need not take you off course. If you serve the Sage within you will see the way to port even in the stormiest waters. Hold onto your inner stability whenever jarring events would ordinarily knock you off your path. Never doubt that the power of truth and sincerity will manifest the light for your feet to follow the winding path even in the darkness of times. The resolution of difficult problems is available at all times. Remember that contained within all things is its opposite. This is a basic tenet of Tai Chi philosophy.

This is a time for “Biting Through” the obstacles that keep us bound. Our spirits must be clear and pure. Whatever keeps us from achieving our highest purpose is working at cross-purposes to the dynamic reality that is awaiting us. Whatever real problem that is functioning as a bond to your ultimate freedom must be chewed through so that you can get your hands and mind free to take action towards the greatest good of yourself and your community. Keep your mind clear from misunderstandings, and generate kindness and generosity toward others. What bad habits or delusions or rationalizations that have occupied your thoughts must be done away with, so that your higher self can have free reign in your person. What makes you feel good about yourself? What brings you into harmony with others and the cosmos? Reforming the self is reforming the world. Starting at square one, we then can proceed to the farthest reaches. As the poet Browning once wrote, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”

Change yourself inside and you will eventually change the outside. Seeing is believing is the old adage, but believing is also seeing. If you hold the thought inside yourself with vigor and dynamism it will eventually manifest. Thoughts are things. Knowing how to wait for things is important. If we move too quickly the thing that we have been waiting for will arrive at the place we have left. So waiting for the perfect moment is a powerful and has energy in it. Accumulate your knowledge, and hold your power. Collect your chi and store your energy. Nourish your spirit and wait for the right moment, and when it comes, it will be beautiful. Do not vacillate or balance will be lost. Hold your mind on the goal and you will arrive with power and wholeness intact.

This is a time in which we must renew our discipline. Neither over-confident nor careless, we must avoid over expansive behavior. One step at a time, simple and unassuming, we find our way with the aid of the leader and the vision that manifest both ability and achievement. We are involved with the creation of a brighter world. It is not just our own success, but the success of those whom will follow us is equally important. The end of suffering in the world is our goal, and the bright destiny that lies before us comes from the accumulated effort of each of us on the way. The practice is within us. The goal is beyond us, but together we must not only reach the light but become the light so that others may find the way as well. When we walk the path diligently we pave the way for others to follow it more easily. Those of us who are pathfinders make the road easier for those who come along later to the feast. The sacrifices we make are to help brighten our bright destiny.   The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, a nd then it one foot after another until the journey brings us fully home. Come home to yourself now, and know, “there is no place like home.” Home is where your heart is. Let us all learn to cherish our home, the earth, and all of our kin.

Please R.S.V.P. so that Debbie can prepare the appropriate amount of food for lunch. Please also bring your own plates and utensils so we have less waste.

Sincerely yours,
Dr. David Chandler