Author Archive for thomas

The Mindfulness of Thich Nhat Hanh


Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village plumvillage.org

mindfulness is awareness of one’s thoughts, actions or motivations. wikipedia.org

Reference:
The clip is from the DVD accompanying the book “Walking Meditation” (sep 2006) Thich Nhat Hanh, Anh-Huong Nguyen, ISBN 1591794730

Books:
The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation (dec 1999) Thich Nhat Hanh
ISBN 9780807012390
The Blooming of a Lotus: Guided Meditation for Achieving the Miracle of Mindfulness (jun 1999) Thich Nhat Hanh
ISBN 0807012378

Links:
Mindfulness of Ourselves, Mindfulness of Others www.explorefaith.org
Ram Dass interviews Thicht Nhat Hanh youtube.com (mindfulness)

Yiquan’s Mocabu friction stepwork

Asume the basic standing posture, but with the arms out to the sides at about navel height an sligthly forward crouch a little as if sitting down slightly and keep the back erect. When one is relaxed and the attention collected, shift one’s weight completely onto the right foot and strain on the hip. Move the left foot straight back a half a step then forwards in an inward curve, brushing past the right instep and out forwards to a place in front of its original position, turning the toes out a bit as is lands. Shift the weight forward on to the left leg, turning the torso slightly to the left as one does so, then bring right foot forward in a curve past left instep and out to the front, turning toes out slightly as it lands. Shift weight onto the wright leg again, turning torso slightly to the left as one moves, then take another a step with left foot. Continue forwards and then backwards in this was for as long as comfortable.

When taking a pace, raise the knee slightly, keep toes straight and do not raise foot to far off ground. It should feel as if dragging one’s feet through mud, and as gentle as if one were rolling a ball along with one’s toes. Again the motion must be smooth and unbroken.

Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Exercises: Standing Pole by J.P.C. Moffett, Wang Xuanjie
ISBN 9787119006963

p. 65-67

There are many kinds of stepwork in Dachengquan, and Mocabu or friction step is the most basic one. The posture is as follows: Stand naturally with two feet in parallel, apart form the legs which bend slightly at the knee, the posture is like standing attention. Keep torso erect, shoulders relaxed, arms stretched sideways, forming an angle of about 60 degrees with the body. With fingers parted naturally and palms facing downward as if you where pressing two big balloons, raise the head upright and drop to half a squat, with chest in and back intense. See that you have abundant energy, a quiet and easy mind and a substatiel abdomen. After standing in this way for some time, with the body weight on the soles of the feet, shift weight onto the left hip and slowly move right foot horizontally in a small arc to the right with the toes forward and land right on outer right side. The shift the weight onto the right hip, and move left foot in the same way as the right one has just done, and lands on the outer left side. The feet are desirably keept one foot length and a half apart all the time. Repeat the above mentioned movements alternatively with one foot and another. In practising this skill, care must be taken that the knee-cap is accompanied be an intention of a slight up-lift, toes are slightly hooked and the sole is not to high above ground. At the same time imagine that two feet are walking in shallow water, overcoming resistance. All the movements should be steady and flexible flowing easy and comfortable. This is the advacing posture. For retreating posture, just reverse the order of movements.

A ballad for Mocabu goes as follows:

With the torso erect and the head upright, He walks like a chicken but with torso a bit inclined.

Advance or retreat at will as the hip and shoulder move, Weaves rise and fall as the knee leaps and the foot circles.

Dachengquan by Wang Xuanjie
ISBN 9789622381117 

p. 48-49


Yao Zongxun


Wang Xuanjie

Yiquan training with Gao Cheng

Wang Xuanjie’s Teachings

Wang Xuanjie’s Dachengquan

Duanshou by Wang Xuanjie

Wang Xuanjie teaches in his siheyuan

Dachengquan (Wang Xuejie)

Wang Xuanjie was a student of Yiquan Granmaster Wang Xiangzhai.

Reference:
Dachengquan (jul 1988) by Wang Xuanjie
ISBN 9789622381117

Yiquan Sanshou with Li Quanyou

Yiquan Sanshou with Li Quanyou

Awakening The Soul

 

Master Li Jun Feng of the ShengZhen Society demonstrates “Awakening The Soul” qigong.

Reference: www.shengzhen.org

80 Years Old - Wei ShuRen

The key points to observe in T’ai Chi Practice

1. Relax the neck and suspend the head from the crown point.
2. The eyes should focus and concentrate on the direction in which the ch’i flows.
3. Relax the chest and the back.
4. Drop and relax the shoulders; drop and relax the elbows.
5. The wrist should be set comfortably while the fingers stretch outward.
6. The entire body must be vertical and balanced.
7. The coccyx must be pulled forward and upward with the mind.
8. Relax the waist and the juncture of the thighs and pelvis.
9. The knees should stay between relaxed and not-relaxed.
10. The sole of the foot should sink and attach comfortably to the ground.
11. Clearly separate the substantial and the insubstantial.
12. Each part of the body should be connected to every other part.
13. The internal and external should combine together; breathing should be natural.
14. Use the mind, not physical strength.
15. The ch’i attaches to the spinal column and sinks into the tan t’ien
16. Mind and internal power should connect together.
17. Each form should be smooth and connected with no unevenness or interruption, and the entire body should be comfortable.
18. The form should not be too fast, and it should not be too slow.
19. Your posture should always be proportionate.
20. The real application of the form should be hidden, not obvious.
21. Discover calm within action and action within calm.
22. First the body should be light; then it will become limber. When limber it should move freely. Whoever moves freely will be able to change the situation as needed.

Reference:
Waysun Liao Tai Chi Classics
ISBN 1570627495
p. 126-127

Grandmaster Wang Yongquan (1903 - 1987)

Yang Style Taiji Grandmaster Wang Yongquan (1903 ~ 1987)
Student of Yang Jianhou, Yang Shaohou and Yang Chenfu
楊氏太極拳第四代宗師 / 汪永泉 (1903–1987)

The Five Virtues of T’ai Chi Ch’uan

1. Your study should be broad, diversified. Do not limit yourself. This principle can be compared to your stance, which moves easily in many different directions.

2. Examine and question. Ask yourself how and why T’ai Chi works. This principle can be compared to your sensitivity, which is receptive to that comparison which others ignore.

3. Be deliberate and careful in your thinking. Use your mind to discover the proper understanding power.

4. Clearly examine. Separate concepts distinctly then decide upon the proper course. This principle can be compared to the continuous motion of T’ai Chi.

5. Practice sincerely. This principle can be compared to heaven and earth, the eternal.

Reference:
Translations of early Unknown Tai Chi Masters

Waysun Liao Tai Chi Classics
ISBN 1570627495
p. 125-126