Comments for T'ai-chi Utah Organized http://taichiutah.org The 2008 U.S. World Taiji Boxing Event in Salt Lake City Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:49:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc Comment on Six Daring Acts to Lighten Up by Jenn http://taichiutah.org/six-daring-acts-to-lighten-up/326#comment-377 Jenn Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:32:02 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=326#comment-377 There's a dare that will ground you. Not by the punch but because it helps you realize that it's just a matter of letting go....of the "bitchiness" or stress... That's why we all wish we were kids again...turns out, we can be. Good thoughts, well written. Thanks. There’s a dare that will ground you. Not by the punch but because it helps you realize that it’s just a matter of letting go….of the “bitchiness” or stress…

That’s why we all wish we were kids again…turns out, we can be. Good thoughts, well written. Thanks.

]]> Comment on Five Little Known Ways to Relax by Larry http://taichiutah.org/five-ways-relax/171#comment-363 Larry Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:54:40 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=171#comment-363 Great suggestions. Of course, I'm partial to wave hands like clouds! Great suggestions. Of course, I’m partial to wave hands like clouds!

]]> Comment on Five Little Known Ways to Relax by josh young http://taichiutah.org/five-ways-relax/171#comment-159 josh young Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:48:26 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=171#comment-159 I follow the dharma and keep the vedas, reading many sutras too. The buddhism I follow does not teach that life is suffering because of decay. It teaches that suffering is rooted to the ego, which is a fabrication of mind. In this Samsara is the cycle of reincarnating the false self in the mind, nirvana is learning to abide without this re-incarnation of the false nature of the mind. This is the tradition of sakyamuni who was born into the warrior caste where martial arts are a part of life. The diamond sutra contains some of the core teachings of the line, in which bodhidharma was 28th from sakyamuni. Bodhidharma is recorded in India as being a martial artist and his influence at Shaolin is said by many to be the introduction of internal principals into Chinese martial arts via Qigong. I mention this to illustrate the possible connection between the art of taichi and one specific sect of Buddhism which results in Zen sects in it's transmission. One of the original meanings(there are a few) of 'chi' is air, ergo the connection with breath and chi. The practices connected with the zen sects focus on breath and posture for the purpose of relaxing the body and mind. They have a well proven methodology that can be used without endorsing any specific religious beliefs. I think we can all use methods of relaxation but hope that we learn to relax the source of our tension after we have removed enough tension to gain more awareness of said source. Thank you for your teachings Mr. Smith. I follow the dharma and keep the vedas, reading many sutras too. The buddhism I follow does not teach that life is suffering because of decay. It teaches that suffering is rooted to the ego, which is a fabrication of mind. In this Samsara is the cycle of reincarnating the false self in the mind, nirvana is learning to abide without this re-incarnation of the false nature of the mind. This is the tradition of sakyamuni who was born into the warrior caste where martial arts are a part of life. The diamond sutra contains some of the core teachings of the line, in which bodhidharma was 28th from sakyamuni. Bodhidharma is recorded in India as being a martial artist and his influence at Shaolin is said by many to be the introduction of internal principals into Chinese martial arts via Qigong. I mention this to illustrate the possible connection between the art of taichi and one specific sect of Buddhism which results in Zen sects in it’s transmission.

One of the original meanings(there are a few) of ‘chi’ is air, ergo the connection with breath and chi. The practices connected with the zen sects focus on breath and posture for the purpose of relaxing the body and mind. They have a well proven methodology that can be used without endorsing any specific religious beliefs.

I think we can all use methods of relaxation but hope that we learn to relax the source of our tension after we have removed enough tension to gain more awareness of said source.
Thank you for your teachings Mr. Smith.

]]> Comment on Five Little Known Ways to Relax by Steven http://taichiutah.org/five-ways-relax/171#comment-79 Steven Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:04:26 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=171#comment-79 I'm glad these have been fun, funny, and helpful. I appreciate comments from everyone. I like the active use of the methods. Thanks <strong>Heather and Ron</strong> for your laughter. <strong>John J</strong> (your name is my name too) let me know how it works for your clients. <strong>Lindsey and Julie</strong>, thanks for sharing that these work for deeper things. <strong>Shaun and Greg:</strong> the methods better work! <strong>Shannon</strong> just say 'no' is lots of fun, especially exaggerated. Ronan is this man's muse. <strong>Josh thank you</strong> for suggestions too: breath work is primary to pursuing relaxation. Buddha's reference to 'all life is suffering,' refers to this existential bit: living things have bodies. Bodies decay and bodies die and 'it's great that way' as they say. Decay and death create suffering. But the ego is a different layer of suffering. The ego layer denies the truth. Not ironically (perhaps tragically), folks cling to the ego layer. <strong>Let Go My Ego!</strong> was a popularized, sufferable waffle commercial. And, though it doesn't help define the Ego, it offers a spectacular image. Introspection is often waffle-tisical. Many people constantly introspect, whether conscious of it or not, with an internal chattering dialogue. It has another funny name: solipsism. (Oh no, am I doing it now?!) The 5 simple methods above draw strength from ease and honesty and silliness. Smile inside is a <i>necessary</i> component of internal arts that pushes ego aside and, if used properly, exposes a great and sophisticated network of sensation and perception unavailable to egoly eyes. Reptile Brain, Eagle Vision, and Sung metaphorize this feeling-action. Practiced under duress of burly push hands or under the strain of long-term Qigong (the Nei version), body exhausted, ego distracted, deflated, and dysfunctional, the world stands still, shadows coalescing in brilliant light. I’m glad these have been fun, funny, and helpful. I appreciate comments from everyone. I like the active use of the methods.

Thanks Heather and Ron for your laughter.

John J (your name is my name too) let me know how it works for your clients.

Lindsey and Julie, thanks for sharing that these work for deeper things.

Shaun and Greg: the methods better work!

Shannon just say ‘no’ is lots of fun, especially exaggerated. Ronan is this man’s muse.

Josh thank you for suggestions too: breath work is primary to pursuing relaxation.

Buddha’s reference to ‘all life is suffering,’ refers to this existential bit: living things have bodies. Bodies decay and bodies die and ‘it’s great that way’ as they say. Decay and death create suffering. But the ego is a different layer of suffering. The ego layer denies the truth. Not ironically (perhaps tragically), folks cling to the ego layer.

Let Go My Ego! was a popularized, sufferable waffle commercial. And, though it doesn’t help define the Ego, it offers a spectacular image. Introspection is often waffle-tisical. Many people constantly introspect, whether conscious of it or not, with an internal chattering dialogue. It has another funny name: solipsism. (Oh no, am I doing it now?!)

The 5 simple methods above draw strength from ease and honesty and silliness.

Smile inside is a necessary component of internal arts that pushes ego aside and, if used properly, exposes a great and sophisticated network of sensation and perception unavailable to egoly eyes. Reptile Brain, Eagle Vision, and Sung metaphorize this feeling-action.

Practiced under duress of burly push hands or under the strain of long-term Qigong (the Nei version), body exhausted, ego distracted, deflated, and dysfunctional, the world stands still, shadows coalescing in brilliant light.

]]> Comment on Five Little Known Ways to Relax by Greg King http://taichiutah.org/five-ways-relax/171#comment-77 Greg King Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:00:54 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=171#comment-77 Thanks for the suggestions. I am taking them to heart. Thanks for the suggestions. I am taking them to heart.

]]> Comment on Pistol Qigong Is A Blast by Jason http://taichiutah.org/pistol-qigong/226#comment-76 Jason Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:49:45 +0000 http://taichiutah.org/?p=226#comment-76 Josh, Thanks for reading my article. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your internal arts knowledge and ideas with this community. -Jason Josh,

Thanks for reading my article. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your internal arts knowledge and ideas with this community.

-Jason

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