Mattimo

The internet, New Agery and Esoterica can be dangerous. You know, meditate on love and light and don't pay too much attention to your emotions because they are illusory anyway. I think what people often fail to understand is that their emotions, thoughts, imagination, etc is the gateway to the REAL. Embrace your humanity, including your weaknesses, and don't be so desperate or accepting of other people's dogma.

 

Great post, I am with you all the way.

Hi Spirit Ape,

 

I think it is prudent to note that there is a profound difference between mainstream fundamentalist Christianity and personal study of the bible. If you read the first thirty or so pages - seriously - of the New Testament you may find, as I have, that the messages absolutely contradict everything fundamentalists believe in. Moreover, the teachings are in reality synonymous with Eastern philosophy. I think ultimately so-called religions define or allude to the same process of human transformation. That is, recognizing your thoughts, realizing awareness and practicing morality.

That was absolutely hilarious, hahaha. I'm still laughing.

I'll chime in here,

 

I believe that there is a fundamental difference between opinion and judgment relative towards comparing people with other people and/or yourself with another person. On the one hand, the literal definitions of both words are arguably more or less the same. However, all words have associated connotations whether they be personal or somewhat generalized amongst the masses. To me, the word judgment has a negative and/or scathing emotional connotation in that judgment does not come from a place of love. If I were to use judgment in a sentence or two, what firstly comes to my mind is: To pass judgment; to condemn others. Whereas, personally, I believe the word opinion has a neutral connotation. Moreover, by my reasoning, I don't feel emotionally identified with my opinions. Rather, when I have an opinion, I feel that it comes from an emotionally-integrated summation of my life-experiences. Reverting to judgment again, I feel as if it is an un-integrated emotionally-charged opinion. Confused yet?

 

Let's look at from a different perspective. For example, does a person have the right to help a loved-one that is an alcoholic or a drug addict. To help that person out one would have to analyze that person's predicament. By analyzing why the addict does what he/she does is one passing judgment or deriving opinions? Arguably, the addict has already passed judgment on him/herself and is evidenced by the way they treat themselves. Therefore, I contend that if one were to help the addict they are attempting to derive opinions - which are hypothetical reasons - why the addict does what he/she does. Which is, therefore, different from judgment.

 

Ultimately language is a reflection of your heart and it is absolutely impossible to translate the language of the heart into words that will accurately transmit your message. So the reality is, only you can answer your own question. What these words mean for me might not mean the same for you.

 

I do not believe it is moral to judge another person by my definition - but does that mean I don't do it? Alas, the mind is a rampant thing.

 

Edit: for the sake of this discussion I would like to further analyze a few things you stated. By who's ideal or definition is nothing beautiful or ugly? Does it come from the rhetoric of the alleged perfected master or enlightened individual who unequivocally states that all is one and everything is as it is? And where is that monk who stands immovable, like a mountain, letting joy and sadness wash over him without being affected?

 

In my opinion, these are illusory, misinterpreted and/or misunderstood ideals of what enlightenment is. But what do I know, I'm not enlightened . You see, language is a tricky thing in that words are defined by other words, concepts are defined by words or other concepts (which are themselves comprised of words). For example the definition of "word" is explainable, in this fashion, only by other "words."...thus, remaining technically undefined. So you can see the apparent limitation here. But what is the quintessential underlying ingredient? Experience. Therefore, I would highly recommend contemplating the difference between experience and the interpretation of experience through the medium of language. They are profoundly different on this earth-plane!

 

My understanding of enlightenment is being able to pierce the essence of things and in doing so becoming a more "real" and mentally/emotionally/physically/spiritually integrated human being. By that logic is it not possible that the enlightened-one in fact feels and experiences joy and sadness more profoundly?

 

To ramble further, many mystery traditions suggest that the function of the nervous system in a human being is to conduct ecstasy, which is EXPERIENCED. That is pretty damn beautiful, mysterious, awe-inspiring, etc from my linguistic, humanistic vantage point.

 

I guess my bottom-line is "life is many things but it is also one thing and that is the beautiful (or ugly) paradox of experience."

 

 

-Matt

Taoist81,

 

The reality is that both sides of the debate have equal and opposite biases. There are people who have an emotional disposition to wanting it to be a conspiracy perpetrated by our government. Likewise, there are people who want to uphold officialdom and the word of mainstream so-called science.

 

Regardless, it is my humble opinion that any person with an open mind can determine that there are many alleged facts that simply do not equate with the official story. By your own admission, you were one such person. I am, therefore, suspicious of your use of negative verbiage and slander against the classification of people who do not share your final conclusion. Whether you wish to admit it or not, I believe you have a self-invested ulterior motive for posting your opinion. Moreover, your statements referencing ego and know-it-all truth-seekers can easily be reflected back to you.

 

Relax.

I'm still not in complete agreement on this and I think it's important enough to continue to discuss.

It's probably a semantic issue more than anything but worth clarification, IMO.

I recently had a long discussion with some of my students about exactly this point.

 

What is the waist? How does that differ from the hips?

Anatomically, there is no waist joint. The waist is the junction of the spine and pelvis. When we say that we move from the waist, what we really mean is movement of the lumbosacral spine which includes flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. If the hip joints do not move, the pelvis does not move and motion of the waist without the hips will all be focused on the spine.

 

The Chinese refer to the 'kua' which is not a discreet anatomical structure.

It can be translated as hips or waist and when discussing the kua, the crease in the groin is often indicated.

When the Chinese talk about moving the kua, it's my belief that this motion is a composite of movements in the hips joints and lumbosacral spine. The idea of keeping the hip joints immobile and moving from the lumbosacral spine (waist) is not something I teach or practice. Sure, there are times when I forcefully turn my waist to generate force such as in da lu. For the most part, however, the primary kua movements that we use for yielding and neutralization is motion of the hip joints moreso than the spine. I would agree with Stig's point that all joints must be song and fluid and coordinated with one another.

 

Very enlightening, I appreciate your time in explaining your point of view. Thank you to others who have contributed to this discussion also.

 

Matt

Ah, very interesting guys. My idea of generating power from pushing down inevitably stemmed from me finding the ground again. In that, I have some tension in the abdominal/back region and in discovering a better connection with the ground by pushing down, I was able to practice a swaying-hands exercise more pleasurably. I will focus more on the waist region and see what I experience.

 

Thanks!

Thanks I guess, lol. I guess I was asking a lot. Good point about spirals Stigweard. Looking at the skeleton itself one can see spirals built into its very structure with bones so aligned that gravity is canceled out.

 

Matt

Hi all,

 

I am interested in hearing from people who have realized/personally substantiated abstract tai-chi principles. That is to say, I am interested in what various users here have discovered about the bio-mechanics of the human body relative to themselves.

 

Allow me to give an example,

 

In my practice I am beginning to understand the importance of the ground and how power can be generated by pushing down. I am beginning to understand the concept of effortless movement and how "strain and effort" can be detrimental to practice. I am beginning to understand the concept of counter-rotation of the spine, etc.

 

The purpose of this post is to help me gain abstract knowledge based on what other people have discovered so that I may endeavor to substantiate various points for myself.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

 

Matt

I mostly lurk around here and read various posts. However, in this case I feel compelled to respond. Mark Tin Si, I must ask you about shit-that-cometh-out-of-thy-mouth. I mean, you're personally tasting that stuff every single day - your life must be SUPER DUPER unlucky.

Hello Mattimo,

 

I have been doing classical tai chi for six years or so. I had practiced various Yang family styles since the early eighties. To put it bluntly I have never experienced anything like Master Hwa's forms and I have found the dvds to be great teaching materials. I have learned the whole form left and right sides as well as square form. The compression in the abdomen created in doing the internal discipline or nei gong creates a very natural great feeling analogous to reverse breathing there. The lower back is wonderfully exercised through the internal discipline as well. The separation of yin/yang in the legs and arms is taught very clearly.

Anyway mention must be made of the man himself, and generous comes to mind here. He travels around the country at times. He is retired from his profession. If there are students in those areas where he happens to be traveling he will offer them free private lessons. He recently had a seventy fifth birthday celebration and he offered a weekend of free tai chi, push hand workshops to those of us who could get there. He even bought us lunch. Then there was the birthday dinner which was also free. His lineage goes back to Wu chien chuan. Master Hwa's teacher, Young Wa bu was a primary student of Wu's. Young lived to be just over one hundred. and was still practicing. This approach is very Taoist, internal cultivation. There is no discussion of theory so much as direct perception of whatever experiences one has. It is more in the line of chuang tsu rather than qi gong. No separate qi gong necessary. The martial side is purely self defensive but is not so emphasized although it is there.

The forms are medium frame leading to small frame. The idea being that as we progress from large forms to smaller, the movements emphasize the internal and the core of the body, learning to circle and spiral there.

I can't recommend this highly enough, and I have to admit, I am biased in my recommendations. I hope I can learn to be as generous as master Hwa.

Bill

 

Excellent, thank you for your valuable insight. I have already ordered the introductory DVD. From the Youtube videos I have seen of Master Hwa, his approach does indeed seem very methodical and scientific. One thing that I believe discredits Tai-Chi in the eyes of the masses is the overemphasis on the so-called mystical aspects such as chi. I, therefore, appreciate Master Hwa's approach in that he leaves the esoteric aspects for students to experience. I believe his approach may be more appealing for Western minds.

 

Can't wait for the DVD to come!

Thanks for the input. Do any other Tao Bums members have experience with Master Hwa's teachings?

Hi all,

 

I have recently been attracted to the elegance and power of tai-chi / qi-gong practices. I would like to know if anyone has any opinions on "master" Stephen Hwa. I am contemplating buying some of his DVDs: http://www.classicaltaichi.com/

 

Thanks!

Warm greetings to members of this forum,

 

My name is Matt and I am simply seeking to expand my knowledge and practice of the spiritual arts. I look forward to reading through past posts and to participate in any current discussions where my insight might be helpful.

 

Thanks