Tai Chi
Mastering Motion in a Meditative State
"A disciple fell asleep and dreamed that he had entered paradise. To his astonishment, he found his master and the other disciples sitting there absorbed in meditation. 'Is this the reward of paradise?' he cried. 'Why, this is exactly the sort of thing we did on earth.' He heard a voice exclaim, 'Fool! You think those meditators are in paradise? It is just the opposite— paradise is in the meditators.'"
—Anthony de Mello
Competitive and creative advertising causes a perception that often misleads people to look outside themselves in search of some mystical system that will be a panacea, a cure for all their ills. Also, the propriety of instructors and students has been undermined by the overwhelming influence of commercialism. Prospective students should remember your life has been a time intensive process of learning; therefore, rely on our discernment when choosing your Tai Chi system and instructor.
Tai Chi means the Supreme Ultimate. Its origin is China and although there are hundreds of styles, the Chinese government recognizes five major styles:
- Yang Style
- Wu Style
- Sun Style
- Hao Style
- Chen Style
The Ultimate discipline of Ken Zen Ichii - The Kata Namaste
Purpose: "Mastering motion in a meditative state"
Definition: I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Class Structure
- Warm-ups
- Zen breathing
- Kata: Namaste
- Learn movements
- Footwork in group form
- Kata in group form
- Learn application of movements
- Meditation in a comfortable position with complete silence; when possible use bells to signal the end of the session.
—"The magic lies within."