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Zanshin is a Japanese word meaning Reminding Heart or Mind. It is the name of the final position of the body in Kyudo ( Japanese archery) after releasing the arrow. When the mind is clear, the breath is slow and relaxed. The form has changed to formlessness, in a state that would be called Wu Wei 无为 in Chinese. At least as I understand it, for this case.

I found it interesting that after the intense training of Kyudo for prior week, my next training after discarding the form, and being left with the “Heart” is the formless training of Heart Chan retreat. Which in one part of the sessions we spoke and discussed the heart/mind.

The Heart Zen retreat was held in Monterey Ca at the Asilomar conference center. This complex on the state park grounds next to the ocean is the complete opposite to the the high mountain heat and rustic monastic life of the Sonoma Mountains training.

The weather was comfortable somewhat on the cool side, but still bearable with a light jacket. This time I shared a room with my cousins, & wife. No walking for a 1/8 mile uphill to use the bathroom. Also no 5:15am zazen, It was 6:30 a.m. this time, extra hour for sleeping…sweet. There was no official lights out at 9:30 however, we did not finish with the evening sessions and meditation until 9:00pm.

Friday was our first session, it was more of an introduction and welcome to everyone with some review and basic practice. We had games to play on a couple of occasions.

Sat. morning began the work, with meditation at 6:30am after some motion Zen drills. From there we moved to breakfast.

The meals we nice and well prepared. The service was good, and one lacked for nothing. The meals were time for real social talk. As we were a dining hall with several other groups, that part did not feel as intimate as last year with just our group eating together. We were placed in a smaller back room for the first couple of days. Which was nice than the front area we were in on the final days. It was a small thing though due to our human ability to tune out.

After lunch a short break, that was welcome. A short nap or walk was called upon to fill the spot.

Over the next couple of days we followed the same pattern. the grounds were interesting.

A mix of tress, sand and water.

Our next session were lectures on things such as Having a Perfect life ( Sat.) & Living in the Zone ( Sun.). Then a Break and followed with more meditation 30 minutes.

The next lectures
How to Cultivate Our own Spirit ( Sat.), How To Live a Fuller life ( Sun) .

These were followed by lunch.

Next after lunch we have Details of Heart Chan practice ( Sat. ) and Success Story - Zen in the work place.(Sun.)

This turned into one of the more popular topics and ended up carrying over into more time. After a short tea break we were treated to a play. Showing the origins of Shaolin Chan via Ta Mo ( Bodidharma) ( Sat.)

which was funny & very entertaining

and watched later A DVD of one of the Shifu’s lectures.

After our next break and chat time, we had question and answer time. We were fortunate to have a senior brother who had been with the Shifu for some 15 - 18 yr. I think it was, visiting and helping with the seminars operation. Along with several other seniors we had a treasure chest of first hand information available.

The different and sometimes amusing part of being part of this event is the lectures all have to be translated, Chinese to English or English to Chinese. Sometimes things were skipped or change, which got a laugh form those of us who could tell. We also had singing, & individuals experience sharing. Our sessions covered a large spectrum.

My only real disappointment was not learning more Motion Zen drills. However, that is just my thing, as my ministry as it would be called in Christian circles, of Ch’an ( Zen ) is through the Motion Zen. I did pickup two new drills.

One of which maybe be a great help to my shoulders for Tai Chi and Kyudo the other I know from Tai Chi practice, it was very familiar.

After dinner & a break, there were other discussions before our evening meditation at 8:30 and closing @ 9:00.

The nice thing for us about being in Monterey is our friends the Tokyo Deligation lives there. So on Friday and Sat after the session we went to visit them. Also met another intercultural couple who are friends of theirs. These may also become Zen students as an interest was expressed from them.

Sunday morning followed the same pattern for the most part as Friday and Sat. The morning lecture was a lecture and practice on Deep Reflection Meditation. A step up on our basic daily Chakra meditation.

The lessens I received form this event were different in a way that I can not put into a wordy story. I am pleased to have attended and grateful to my spiritual “brother & sister “ who made possible for my wife and I to attend without hardship.

I am delighted my wife was able to attended this year and even more so since she had her own breakthrough with her meditation and understanding of Chan. I am also grateful that my cousin and wife were able to spent some connecting before her relocation. They are more than just marriage relations, they are friends. Also that we got to share this together.

I was able to find some of the papers translated from Chinese to English on some of the Shifu’s lectures. I will be posting some from time to time, maybe. One of the things spoke on during the event was how Zen practice is beyond religion. One can be any religion as I stated before and still practice “Zen” It was also stated that Zen/Chan is also more than and beyond just a “life style” as it had become in the West and less formal in our lay practice than the rigors of Japanese styles. Our lay practice with the focus on connecting to the Chi of the Universe, for health, wisdom, cleansing, and enlightenment is the base of life. One does not have to give up, convert, or join anything in mind or heart to follow the path of Shaolin ( Heart) Chan or add it to their own spritural practice.

Some parts of last year’s retreat I did find more enjoyable, but it did not hinder me from enjoying were I was or being grateful for this year’s event. In many ways it was more enjoyable.

I will be reflecting and recalling lessons, feelings, sensations for several days. Sometimes the subconscious brings out wordless stored messages, lessons after the fact, after storing the substance first. Bring them up again like when I am writing this post. Sort of like a cow chewing it’s cud.

I did realize clearly how much of a natural course this Heart Chan is for me. I have studied Chi, for healing - Chi Gong, Protection - Kung Fu, for health - Tai Chi, for balance in one’s environment via Feng Shui

This covers the body and mind, so connecting to it’s use for enlightenment, spiritual development, mental and spiritual health is a natural progression.

_/\_

Zanshin ざんしん

Now that it s over I have found myself reflecting on different aspects of the adventure. When I was just getting started on day one and two. I thought to myself, well, it’s not as I thought it would be, but… I can do this! I can get through it no matter what. However I will not do this again. Partly because of our plans to go to Japan next year. Partly because I was not enjoying it. Now having completed the training.

I can see more of the value of the intensity. I would diffidently going again, with the right equipment. In fact I would like to go once more. I think it will be a good training for the Sail Passage. Yes, a week of Zen & Kyudo would be good mind and spirit training for a ocean passage. I’ll plan on working that into the schedule.

I believe this retreat qualifies as: Shigyo

Shugyo (修行) may be defined literally as “conducting oneself in a way that inspires mastery”. While the meaning of the kanji used in “shu” was originally translated as ‘using a brush to strike away the dust that obscures the viewing of a persons original elegance’, the combined kanji of “shu” and “gyo” (carrying out, walking along) is now generally translated as simply “severe or austere training”. The kanji rendered for this version of “shugyo” is most commonly associated with Buddhist asceticism, and most notably, the “shugenja” (修験者, ascetic mountain-dwelling monks).
When I read this I got a sense of what was to be. On many levels this was Severe or Austere training. As I look back I can see the overall connectiveness of the experience. It was a warrior retreat, unlike the heart zen retreat we just returned from. The underlying physical training was as intense as the spiritual. I am grateful to have been been able to attend. I see, feel, understand the link between the motion zen and sitting. Also how I want to run a retreat and the use of the sitting zen with the martial training. In my case it would be Tai Chi and Kung Fu.

Before I went on this retreat I purchased a book called “One Arrow, One Life- Zen, Archery, Enlightenment”. by Kenneth Kushner. I had planned on reading this during some free time , if there was some on this retreat. Now after attending the retreat I find the book resonates which the experience. The mind set of zazen carrying on to the mind set of a shot. The connection from grounding, to the release of the arrow. The alinement of the body with that of the bow , target, breath, arrow. The subtleties of the complementary nature of thought and action, movement and stillness. If fells in the gaps of the older book, “Zen and the art of archery”.

I see another one of these retreat as a great spirit training for my ocean passage. Even under ideal weather conditions this type of retreat with it’s, the structure, the subtile physical training, the mental forging, the connection to the earth, the release of ego in the face of something bigger is a challenge to spirit and body.

I am a bit sad that I will be unable, to attend more than one more in the future. However good things happen as well as bad, so only the Force knows about tomorrow I can only hope there is one an live where I am now and be grateful for the present.

_/\_

はなれ - Hanare

When the alignment of Kai are completed, the tension grows until the string slips away from the gloved hand and the arrow looses itself towards the target...” One arrow One Life”…K. Kushner

It was finally the last day. Part of me was glad, I was ready to go home, yet I was also sad for things to end now that I found the flow and temp were normalizing.

I was one of the first today at the Zendo. The doors to the inner room were not even open yet. I did some warm ups and chi gong whist waiting. I was re-centered… finally. I had no care of the length of sitting. I looked forward to seeing and feeling the change of Yin air to Yang, the relm of the moon to the kingdom of the sun. Today I felt the chants not just said them. I heard and felt the tones, the vibrations, the chi of the voices. The prostrating was another form of moving Zen, it was the flow of kung fu movement, it was connecting to the earth chi, the source of this body from earth to earth.

We had our usual morning sessions then breakfast. This was our most simple meal since being here, Cherrios and Banana bread. I made the mistake of not tasting things first, and put brown sugar on the cereal…made it too sweet! yuck!  I did not want to waste food, so I sucked it up

That morning after breakfast our group’s work period was to pack and “leave no trace” That was one of the code words for our presence there the whole time. Meaning, leave no mess, cleanup after ourselves. That we did with mindfulness. Always reminded me of Carlos Castinata (sp), when I read that. That was his statement on the way of a warrior.

Now it is finally time for us to to do our final practice. We were suppose to give a demo to the residents there at the Zen center. It was done with full Kyudo formality. The only sad part was my small camera data disk was full, so I could not take a video of the shooting. There were some folks there taking video, a copy should turn up I can access. We practiced, and reviewed what we learned. It went well. Everyone was pleased to be shooting under more comfortable conditions.

Lunch was good! Veggie chili, Home made apple sauce and cornbread. It was good and hit the spot. It was our final meal there at the center. I raised a question from remark made at breakfast about how good food was after doing Zazen for 2 hours. I asked at which time does it taste best. After 2 hours Zazen or working in the Garden, room, etc? I suppose in true Zen sense, both would/should be equal as each moment , each sight, each breath, each taste, is new, fresh, magical, from Zen eyes, or tonge in this case.

The demo was nice, we looked like we really knew what we were doing. Myself and another guy did one type of two arrow, kneeling shooting, and the rest of the men’s group who were more experienced did another type. I was in charge of sitting the pace for my little section as the other guy was not comfortable with it. Great I’m new at it also. Ok, ganbattemasu! I set our pace to match the other group so we all looked in harmony through doing somewhat different things. It was not really hard, being use to following Kung Fu/Tai Chi movements. Many parts where the same as what we were doing, so when we hit those I set us to match them. I could not see it, but it felt good and correct.

I would really at some point just like to shoot a bunch, just stand and shoot some 20 or 30 arrows. That would give me a real sense of balance, timing, aim, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hard to believe week now as gone by, well over a week really. Tomorrow , the Lady Z will be heading out for a completely different Zen experience. Interesting, this one is next to the ocean and on the cool side. I am getting Yin and Yang in anther sense of Chi in this training period. I wanted to get this mostly done before I left. I have done so. I feel a sense of completion, of release ( Hanare). I will be adding the final entry Zanshin (Remaining Heart/Mind) for this after the holidays and our Heart Zen retreat in Monterey.

Whoa I just notice how that came out…. trippy, the remaining heart thing to heart zen

Mata Ne! またね

Day II

I am feeling lousy today!! I did not sleep much last night. I am not use to going to bed at 9:30 p.m.. Folks snoring… and SOOOO bloody hot!!. The wind pickup major last night most of the shade stuff we set up yesterday in the lower range was blown down today. It took a lot of repairs and re-setting to get things back to a usable place.

I got up at 4:20 A.M.!, ( yeah that is O-dark: 20) the others got up at 4:45a.m. We had Zazen at 5:15am !!! Sugoii ! sigh , ok, this is training…

It was LONG maybe 40 min zazen, then walking meditation, then another 30 min of sitting. Next chatting and prostrating (my least favorite). Things seemed to go on forever. YUK!!! I was feeling bad, hungry, tired and , even a little sick. I could relate to the Buddha being attacked by demons Yuk!! Again.

All this time the wind is kicking! As bad as it was and was going to be for getting things setup , it did help with the heat. I could tell already it was a going to be another day of being forged like the tip of a war arrow.

We had breakfast @ 7:00 am . Finally finally, However…All I had was a fruit salad. I do not like hate Oatmeal and eggs, So I passed on all but the fruit. Alright so here was another challenge. Make it to lunch time with only a big bowel of fruit to eat, and walking up and down mini mountain. We had short break after breakfast. Afterward we had to reset all the handy work, targets and shade we setup before on the lower shooting range, Let’s call it Lil Kyoto. Hot and in a valley of sorts. Everyone pulled together and we repaired and reset the handy work also put up the second shade for shooting Distance targets. The upper level, “Lil Edo” was for short distance, Makawara shooting. Lil Kyoto was for distance.

Finally Around 10:00 am we got ready for Kyudo…Wha hooo!
We all changed into our Kyudo gear and made our way to Lil Edo for the opening. It looked to be some 15 of us. Some new faces I had not seen, which means nothing and the old faces. Mostly everyone was friendly or at least cordial. They are a good group.

After bowing in and a couple minutes of settling the mind we began. She who does not speak was called for the first demo, whilst Onii-san gave a short talk.

Everyone got their gear on and ready & we had it.

I got a few shots in to activate the memory cells. It is a matter of constant body checks at this point for me. Remembering corrections, advice, breath, shoulder drop, expand chest, emptiness. Being “there’ being connected, yet being unattached. Flowing from yin to yang, yang to yin, big to small…release

The sun was still a bit low for the sun shade to fully cover the morning shoot area. It could have been worse. One had shade on most of the body but not on one foot, which got smoked. Anyway after a few shots, I gave up my spot so another could get a turn.
The master in Japan had said learning is part practice and part watching. I had heard “D” Onii-san say a similar statement. I found a shade spot and threw myself zen-mindfully into the watching practice part…did I say it was getting hotter?

The wind was still up, but it helped because it was HOT again today! 100 degrees or so by the end of the day. I came up with a good idea, brilliant idea of using a old windex bottle filled with water as a mister, that was nice!! A few gave me looks, and a chuckle, but then when I misted them, the smirk turned to ahhhhhhhh that feels good!!! Do me again!
I took it easy as did most people. Everyone was moving slowly, drinking lots of water & cool ( sort of) barley tea. I was wishing for some nice cold green tea. I also took advantage of the fact the bath house was the COOLEST place to be located. I took a short much needed nap on the bench in there during a break…simple pleasure, can hold great joy.

I felt grateful to locate it. Gratitude is part of the Zen Tao. So I accepted the gift of the space and as with Zen principals, I enjoyed it fully and was grateful. It was not that comfortable sitting there and even more so laying there, but much more comfortable than roasting in the Tent ( oh, called a Yurt) or some other location that I knew of there. Most other resting places were like mini ovens. Especially the Tent! Good grief! There where several who took multiple cool showers during the day. I had even for a brief moment considered, bring my sleeping bag here or at least a cushion where I could sit and type this stuff.

Another LONG Zazen session tonight. Of course that is only in my mind, because I have not over come the “time” thoughts, or heat. I really do not like those long sessions… yet any way. Tomorrow I will not wear a robe to meditation. A shirt will give me one less distraction to deal with while sitting, and not cook so much. Bummer I did not bring my light robe. It did not really matter to anyone, but me. I did not feel proper dressed for here. I got over it. Clothing, robe, no robe, like standing or sitting, legs crossed on a cushion or hanging off a chair it does not matter. This part is about the spirit.

The style of Zen practiced here is more religious in form than I care for personally. Very ceremonial, which the Japanese love to do. So when in Rome Nihon… , I got comfortable and flowed into the local favors.
The chanting can be cool. I can get into the rhythm of the chants. I do have to remain mindful not to do a harmony and trip around with counter notes. It is a Musician thing.
During walking Zen period I did a modified Tai Chi walk. It felt like the the place for it to me. The mind is the same though the body maybe different, yet as all things are connected, it fit. I wonder if that is waht is was orginally a part of Tao Mo’s 18 motion zen drills. I have now taken to look at the posturing as another form of motion Zen, body Zen practice, up and down, up and down, breath…

It is cooler tonight, a bit! The temps are suppose to get down to 65 degrees, NICE I can sleep…hopefully! I was going to go to the Bath house and write this tonight… but… It is already cooler somewhat and I’m beat, the heat drained me, walking up and down the hill. To do anything, to go anywhere, once must embrace the mountain!

Coming from a Shaolin Zen foundation, we have the mind , body , spirit balance thing going on, or try to. Here in this training it is more Mind and Spirit. However, they have I decide, their own body training path here… the Mountain. Having to walk all over it, IS the body training another from of motion Zen.

Sooo sleep time! Even if I wake up later in the night. I’m thinking to myself as I turned in @9:00pm!

Just as I thought correctly, I did awake several times. Not because of the snoring that sounded like it was right at the head of my bed. Not because of the major pain in my shoulder and back, I’d been having for a month, nor having to go to the loo from so much warm water drinking all day. Nope, … well all of that plus…I was still adjusting to the “newness”

I had however made it through 2 days. I am getting a little better controlling monkey mind jumping to the how many more days left count down. Yes, as Shisuk would say, this is training, it is not suppose to be fun. However , I think, with a Zen mind it can be… perspective! This is what I am thinking when I’m suffering. As any Zen master would say, there is no tomorrow, next week, there is only NOW…this shot, this arrow. Anything else is a delusion. Stay connected, but not attached… The biggest hurtle to shooting, to relaxing into the flow of things is the Heat. Did I say it was hot again today?

Well it was finally here, I had planned and saved for this event for a year. I had to go at least once. Although things were not perfect, the Universe worked out so I could attend with a clear mind about cost.

I had only a small idea of what to expect, it was to be an adventure, lessons in Zen, Kyudo, and myself.

I was packed and ready…Yosh!!

Day 1:
Intermediate and advance students were to arrive @10:00 am to help with the setup. It 10:15 and I was just leaving the house. I had planned on being there @10:00 but…things happen.

I figured, few would be on time, it would not take all day to setup, we would all day to do it.

Anyway after getting a sandwich & water for lunch, which turned out to be a WISE move and some gas I headed out. It was about 1.5 hr drive to Sonoma Mountain from the East Bay. I was on the road by 11:00 am it was already 80 plus degrees…it was going to be hot! Generally it is cooler in the Mountains, so I had packed more cool weather clothing than hot for that reason…wrong move.

I drove through the wine county up into the mountains, it was a nice drive, Pines, Redwoods, Elms, Grape Vines, the winding Mtn. road, the 325i & I loved it.

I got about 1 set of numbers ( addresses) from the Zen Center and the road ended…washed out! Doh!! I had heard it was out but the directions from Google did not show it. At the damage site I got out an walked across the fallen road after seeing someone on the other side.

It had been from a big storm a couple of years ago, but I did not know just where the road was damaged even through I had heard it was out. Now I know. I got directions from a local and set up to find the long way around on another road. That is after I took a break in the shade for a little bite to eat.

Finally I arrive, some 2 hours later than planned.

The upper target shooting area had already been setup,

they were now in the lower section…it was HOT!! In the 90’s now or more. It was going to be a miserable weekend, temps in the 100. YUK! I like heat but within reason.

I helped with what I could, then settled in to my space. I was staying in a big round tent like structure. There were 10 mattress in a circle around the edge of the tent. This was a first for me, that I recall of this many co-bunkers.

I was never in the service, so this type of group sleeping was new for me. I prepared myself mentally for the task ahead. As it turned out, it was not full the first night there were only three of us. By Thursday there was only 4, there were other guys with the group, but they had other sleeping arrangements. The Ladies had similar arrangments , but their tent was smaller.

Dinner finally came at 6:00 p.m., I was so tired from the heat and walking up and down , up & down the hill from the dorm to the shooting space, to the parking lot, to the kitchen. Whewww. The bath house was nice.

Only 4 years old. Private stalls, I was expecting a group boys room shower, but no. There were two bathing stalls, one with a tub, and a chair, shower. The other with just a shower.

Dinner was great veggie soup, some greens from the garden,

Couscous (sp) grain, cold herb tea. I had a big sandwich earlier also with the heat I was not that hungry.

Coming out of the dinner room I am crossing the bridge and I’m about to step over a stick on the path… The Zen sense goes off, I pause before the next step. Good thing…oh snap! the stick moves… it a snake! Next on the path to the tent there are deers they heading the other way from me…at speed. As I get closer to the tent yet more visitors a couple of wild turkeys…I’m in nature for real… feels good on a different level, even through I am feeling “off”

It is now 7:15 I’m back in the tent. I was sooo bored I figured to write so here I am. Doing my first dorm room blog. I had no idea if I would have time to do anything. I have my laptop, a book and my flute. After reading through the schedules, it looks like I will have 30 min to 1 hour of un-schedule time for myself a day…

The bell is ringing it is time for Zazen in the Meditation Hall…

Bells signal events here at the Zen Center just like a traditional Temple. The Meditation Hall is a converted barn. It is nicely done. The is a 12ft tall standing statue of Kuan Yin inside entrance in the Zendo.
After 40 min sitting, I was suffering. I was sweating like a pig, there was a fly buzzing my head and my back hurt and it was HOT! Every breeze felt like a gift form God. It was a difficult session to sit and focus.
Then a lecture afterward on standing Zen & Kyudo carrying the sitting Zen into motion. Also about slowing down and lastly about feeling comfortable with others, and why certain times are for silence as there were periods of no talking in the center.

I’m already looking forward to this being over! This is not a good thing though. I will need to ganbatte! I know it is good training, but the heat is brutal. It really puts a damper on thing, also I’m as had been said in the lecture, am not that comfortable with all the newness. This will be a challenge for me on several levels.

Ganbatte Zen-Kun!

…Yosh!

A older student of mine wrote me asking if I knew of such n such person, “G” who teaching Wing Chun, is an accupunturist I said yes, he was younger classmate from the Tai Mantis School in Torrence. She sent me his website, for Turning Point where he works in partnership I guess. I read through it, I was impressed with his growth and that he was also a Zen student now. He is working with another younger classmate who is a Jujitsu master now and has a school in Oakland called Suigetsukan . I had seen them both several years ago at the grand opening of the Jujitsu school. I decided to arrange my schedule to be in Oakland on Friday night and drop by the Dojo.

The last time I was there, some 2 or 3 years a go. My classmate, the Professor was out of town. Today I went by after visiting Shisuk at the Photo studio. It was about 1 hour before class, the dojo looked empty. Knowing that some of the group live there I rang the bell. After a few mintues one of the student answers. I have a bit of a chat with her, because guess what her Sensei, the Professor is out of town. I am told he does not go out of town often, I said I do not come by often and both times he is out of town. Anyway, I was going to leave a note and then find out that the other classmate, “G” is living there as well and is home. I follow her to the upstairs dorm and am announced.

“G” is surprised and please to see me. As I am him. We sit and talk of old times and old mutual friends. It is a nice visit. It is funny the connection that we who trained together hold. I wonder if people who do regular sport have this. This guy was a kid when he started at the school, as was the Dojo Sensei, the Professor, who was one of my students for a while. Now he is all grown up, they are all grown up and we are still at it, different paths but still the focus, same mind as Lady Z would say. Time and the legacies continue. I guess the few who stick with it through time have that same weirdness and once you have you always have it. It is a strange feeling through to be looking at our studies from the other point in the spectrum, and not the beginners level.

The Dojo seems to be an interesting place. If I was younger and single it would be a cool place to hang out, learn some Arts and met some like minded peeps. It was brought up that they do seminars there at the school, would I be interested…If I was, it could be brought up with the Professor. He felt it would be interesting to see another point of view on combat.

They have a mixed of Arts there at the Dojo,  Jujtsu, WIng Chun, Ba Qua, Eskrima. Zen meditation. A serious student coming out of that background, would be a well balanced Martial Artist.

We will met some time in the future for a reuinon lunch or tea.

The Walnut Creek, Tai Mantis School had a BBQ this Sat.

My students and I were invited. As usual unless it is a big event. I am the only one that shows up to these things.

There were not that many people there when I showed up. Even Shisuk ad not arrived yet and I was 1 hour later. No matter. I can hang out…

I went through the school, took some pictures said hello to all. I chatted with the senior student outside for a while it had been awhile since I had seen or spoke to him. I’m sure I will be hearing a lot more from him with the summer events coming.

There was no Chinese food today at the BBQ, just BBQ. I do not know how true but I hear the meat of the day was squirrel. The meat I saw them cutting up into small strips looked different..

I was having veggie burritos & pasta no matter what they ate. We had several nice wines to chose from. Finally Shisuk arrives so we can eat.

As we are into our plates more people show up. The interesting thing about Shisuk’s school is that there are a lot of couples with there kids.

Shisook is very much the parent with all of them… the Shifu. He gives advice, on health, study, business, relationships, not just kung fu. He students are very loyal. He is a firm teacher, but will do anything he can for his students. He truly helps them develop in character not just physically. When questioning him on it he will say, generally, this is how my Shifu taught me.

One of the late comers is a friend of mine from Vietnam. She is one of my favorite people there. For no other reason that we click and are about the same age. She is a vegetarian also, so at the banquet through the years we, her, Shifu’s wife, myself & wife, and another couple share the same table. This past banquet I find out she is a Zen student.

So when she comes today I figure, Oh, great I can hear some of her system. She pulls up a chair at a table with myself and Shisuk. Her and I get to chatting, this is really the first I had gotten to speak with her about her Zen practice. When I found out at the banquet when were just about leaving. This day I find out she holds sessions at her house, and goes to various other meditation centers around the Bay are as well. She is a student of Zen Master Tich Nhat Hanh, recieved her Dharma Name via him. She goes to all his retreats and such and hold her own session around town. She also is the Vietnamese translater for his books for publishing in English. Wow I had no idea, she was up there. We also spoke on Ophra’s new project with he author of “new Earth” I think it is called. She did not know of my studies, other than the motion side of Shaolin. I told her some of Shaolin Chan and she asked for the web address. It was a brief, but interesting talk, she needed to go pickup her husband. That was a good point for me also, there was a new flurry of activity, so I said my goodbyes as well and headed home.

It is good not to have expectation about things, well, not too high expectations, especially things you can not control. Also a good perspective is a good thing to have. I say, the keys to life are timing, perspective and who you know any one of them gives the holder a happy life. Go ahead, match it to anything…zen

The adventure began on Sat. morning. It was a good example of life, and the flow of things, yin within yang, interdependence all that. I started my part of the day going to the Emeryville marine Flea market. I was also ready somewhat disappointed that a guy I had been talking to about an anchor for months could not find room for it in his truck. I let it go and moved on, to find another.

I was hoping to find one at the flea market today along with a part I needed for my Mainsheet controls on the boat. I did not check the starting time of the event and arrived almost two hours early DOH! Starting at 10 am, I never seen that before. I found this out after hanging out and seeing little signs of a sale. So I asked. While in the process of hanging out, watching folks setup. A guy comes up just off to my rear side vision. He has a wheelbarrow full of anchors. I go over to check things out. I spot the very Anchor I wanted from the other guy, (who was setup just across from where we were standing) perfect. I ask, how much?, he says make me an offer I have no idea what it is worth… Hmm I think, I want a good price, I also need to be fair. I offer 15.00 below what the other guy wanted. Done he says! Sweet!

After I acquire another small item, I head home to pack. We are together and ready to go without too much hassle. After all it is just over night. So let me go over the plan.
We land about 6:00, get a car and head over to dinner with the master at 7:00 p.m. which is 30 min from the airport. Then we head over to see my brother after dinner which ends at 8:30, next a stop at a friend who just got out of the hospital. From there back to the hotel around 11:00 p.m. Up early the next morning to pickup my Cuz. and another zendude at the airport, before heading over to the day retreat with the master. That was the plan and this should be a clue that when I say that was the plan, the universe had other plans…

We arrived to the airport on time, with easy access to the loading gate through the checkpoints. Once there things went downhill. First the flight was delayed 15 min.

Ok, no biggie, Once we got on the plane, something is wrong another delay. Then leave the gate, doh, something is still wrong,

It has to do with some lights we are told. Finally we are on the run way, and we stop again, this time told, delay 10 min, then it was back to the gate for a mechanic. We finally take off at 6:00pm one hour late.

We arrive in Ontario @ 7:00. Barley enough time, the diner had started. We got a car and made it to the restaurant by 7:30… We find, NO ONE there we know or knew us or the party we are looking for. We are told, perhaps that it was another place, which had almost the same name, but was across town… I find out later another restaurant was chosen.

I let it go as a lost effort. It is now 8:00 p.m. Rather than go visiting, I take the evening so far as a sign, I feel I should just bag the evening and find the hotel then decide. I was a bit concerned about where the location was, it was suppose to be near the airport by a few minutes, but I saw no signs of hotel on our way to the freeway. So we drive back to the airport area, I call for directions. I get some rough idea we are on the wrong side of from where we want to be. I should go look for this street and follow that to blah blah. Ok we drive, and drive, and look and look. We call again. More directions to a street I can not find. Oh did a say we have a map as well with none of the street on it working like we are told, if they are even there on the map!! I stop and ask a local, I get pointed in the right direction, I drive, and locate one street name, but nothing of the intersection. I stop again in a gas station, the lady, makes the call herself and writes down the directions. Thank God for folks like that, we finally got to the hotel at 11:00 p.m.. So much for any other traveling. The Force did not want us out and about visiting. We called it a night after locating some food.

Sunday with the Master.

We needed an early start in the morning…it is not everyday one meets a spiritual leader…and a deputy Abbot of Shaolin Temple.

We are at the hotel desk the next morning, Sunday, checking out. I ask the person behind the desk. Is the airport that way? and point let’s say north. She says, err ummm, I’m not sure.
We check the map, she looks up something. she points the other direction, south, I check the map hmmmm ok hmmm…
We are heading to the airport to pickup my Cuz and another person. We go about 4 blocks I feel something is not right, Lady Z also checking the map says something is not right with the direction. What kind of workers are these who can not give directions to and from the airport?! I ask a cop on a bike about the airport. He points north, ( the other way ) and gives me directions. We are there in 10 min. !!! Yeaa CHP!!! Arigato!!!

We make it to the airport, pickup my Cuz, pickup boarding passes for the trip home, pickup the other dude from Texas and we are off to see the Master. That went smooth, as did the trip to the Meditation center. We arrived in plenty of time for a few introductions and good to see you again happy faces and get settled into a seating spot before things start.

We were in the third row. sitting on foam mats. Yuk!, These are not comfortable and we are not suppose to bring cushions. For some reason this group does not use cushions, only if one really needs it, they prefer none. However it is ok to sit in a chair if you need. When at home sitting I use a traditional Japanese style cushion, when I practice in Fremont I use a smaller cushion, I find it makes a difference when doing long sessions. MAybe the floor things is par tof the training.
Anyway, the morning lecture was to be two hours. It was going to be a long sit, being still, respectful and sitting correctly, there was going to be some suffering, training time. Very much like Kung Fu training, learning to go beyond the discomfort… pain. (We most of us were suffering at the first hour. We did get a break. Even my senior said his legs hurt. We could not tell !!)

We get a few announcements from a couple of seniors, then told to center ourselves quietly and wait. We were sitting for 15 min or so before the master arrives. The Shifu arrived just about 10:00.

He walked up with a couple of aids. He looked young for the age I thought he was. Small in stature, calm in energy and face. I was curious about his energy, his chi, I can not say that I was covered with this aura of goodness and mercy, he did however feel like he is a good person a peaceful person. I got no sense of a power figure from him. Nor did I get a car salesman vibe, or the cult leader vibe from him or the others. I was pleased. Shifu spoke in a soft voice. Softer than I expected after listening to the DVD. He spoke with a soft convection. There were no robes or other formal ceremonial trappings. He wore a regular Chinese style dress jacket, with a gold Chain necklace with a small shrine/temple image with a Jade Buddha inside. I also had on my Gold chain with a Chinese Jade, it is of Fu Dogs ( Lion Dogs, the temple guards). I felt a connection

Now as i post this, something comes to mind. He is wearing a jade temple, I am wearing jade temple guards… whoa…is it a sign… is it real…or memorix? * incert twilight zone music track here*

The first of his lecture was about Ch’an, the nature of Ch’an , why we need it. For balance of body, mind and spirit. It was also about the non-religious heart of Zen (ch’an) how Ch’an helps enhance whatever your faith. Ch’an is about the heart of man, the heart of nature, the heart of the universe. Our connection with all that was & is before we came up with religion. Ch’an is older than religion. He spoke of how Buddhist terms are used to describe Ch’an but it is not only Buddhist idea, or path. It is Universal in nature without the limits of names and labels. Which is why it is pushed to live it, experience it from practice not by reading books, or chanting, those are paths, ways of the mind and not true Ch’an. They are limited. He also explained the colors of our HeartZen logo.

All this had to go through translation from elder brother JM. So I’m sure it had more impact without the language change breaks and things are lessen sometimes in language and culture translations. There was a lot said, a lot I do not remember on the surface. I think that is of leaser importance than being there in the presence of the Shifu’s Chi. I wish I had a recording, maybe one will show up. There are old video sessions on line. Which I can listened to at leisure. I will do so again, I think they will sound different, now that I have seen the Shifu live…or not

We thankfully got a break after the first hour. We were suffering. I understand that part of the training in sitting is going beyond the discomfort to find calmness. Sitting is also training for life and spirit. Like doing horse stance in Kung Fu. Anyhow, you gotta break sometime.

After the second part of the morning lecture, on things, like Chakras, reincarnation, heaven, & hell. We broke for lunch. Sandwiches from Quzinos Subs! Nice, Veggie ones at that. I had two, I was hungry after a light dinner and much lighter breakfast.

I found Lady Z, my Cuz and I some shade to sit in. Oh btw, it was about 100 degrees there in Southern CA. Not at all like Northern Cal where it was somewhat cool and most of the US still dealing with coldness and snow in some places.

Not that we did not want to sit with anyone, but all the shade spots were taken, except up next the to bushes. We kind of grouped there. At some point while I was getting seconds to feed my face, brother JM came and sat and talked with the ladies and myself and one other who joined us. It is always interesting to listen to brother JM speak. He is able to explain things well. He spoke of living zen not just reading about what the Buddha did thousands of years ago from the Sutras. Basically practice and write ones own sutras. Also about the Shifu and his connection to the Force, also things that he himself had seen, and experienced. He also related how this visit came about and the number of people in attendance. My only disappointment, was that LadyZ did not get to get talk more with the other Japanese lady, she left just after lunch started and did not stay for the whole event. I did get to chat some with a couple of people about the Martial Arts side of Shaolin.

After lunch we had another session with the Shifu. Before he arrived, we were given Amber colored bracelets, which he, the Shifu had brought with him from Taiwan or south America ( I did not quite get which which) and had done blessings on. Generally we are told that the Shifu get the gifts. But with him he gives to his students, he has no needs.

We were asked to submit questions for him. He would address them. There were many questions. He went through them for the next hour and there were still more. I do not remember all of them. But some of his answers where funny and informative. I was pleased to hear him saying, he was not a Buddha. ( shows humbleness) He would say that The Dala Lama is the only one he has met. He also spoke on our need to do something about the environment a living presense. He spoke on Greed, and how in a sense staying up past 11:00 or 12:00 doing something is a form of greed. Our bodies operate on a natural cycle, when we disrupt that cycle by a choice we are being greedy. It was remarked later by my cuz she noticed, he did not directly answer some of the questions. He touched on them, but some things, he said needed to be experienced not just told this is how it is. Which is part of what our practice is about. Not being told how things are and feel but to practice and experience for ourselves what things are, and how they feel. That way you are not living, doing, acting on faith, on a belief, you are living an experience.

By now into the second section my legs are killing. I hear others around me shifting as well. I do not feel so bad now, others are suffering with me, we are a team
I am hoping for a break, my legs and my bladder need a break!!! The break did not come, but we finished that section early. Next it was meet and greet time with the Shifu. We lined up, with people who had met Shifu before standing in the rear. Us new folks in the front. Finally it was our turn. I was introduced and I introduced the Lady Z in Chinese. We had an exchange of words, in Japanese & Chinese then had a couple of pictures taken.

It was getting close to the end of the day now. Our plane would be leaving soon. There was another stop to make. This was the last meeting at this location. There was a new center which we were going to today so that the master could bless the location. So many of us headed over to the new park location.

We all relocated to the new place, the Shifu came last and we lined up to greet him. Once in the new room there was a Buddha painting that was hung.

The master did some brief ceremony that had to do with opening the “eyes” of the Buddha, turning on the light, otherwise it was just a painting. He did the blessing on the room and on all of us there. I did not get the words, but I understood what was happening.

Interestingly when I got home I thought to myself a couple of times that evening and the next day how peaceful I felt. Like everything would be ok, don’t worry be happy.
Later the next day I get an email from Brother JM, he said, he may have forgot to translate what was happening with the blessing. He said

“At the Heritage Park, when our Master turned around toward us, after he turn on the light for the Buddha, did you notice that he did a sprinkling like gesture to all of us? That is to sprinkle us with the Loving kindness of Buddha.

If you are calm, you can feel the energy. Some of us may even feel like crying.”

Wow I thought that is just how I felt. Not the crying part, but for real a sense of peace.

Anyway, back to the retreat, we are now to the closing. We take group pictures outside and end. Then we three head off to the airport sadly leaving the rest of the group. It was a good trip. Great to see old faces, and met the new ones. Meeting Shifu was an honor and worthwhile for the trip. My Christian side felt better not feeling any conflict coming from him. My Buddhist side felt comfort in meeting the Shifu and receiving the blessings. Being a Christian Buddhist or Zen Christian, I need to have internal balance and harmony with the concepts of both in my heart and mind.Yeah I knew there is no such things a Zen Christian or the like, but people make up labels all the time. I can also. Oh, maybe Shaolin Christian Buddhist , Christain Shaolin Buddhist,…A rose by any other name…Hmmm maybe I can start a new Christian Buddhist Ch’an Sect…

We made it back to the airport and made our plane with time to spare. We three sat together on the flight home. It was good, we napped a bit on our 1.15 hr flight. I said to my cousin. Wow, when we were growing up in Philly who would have ever thought we’d be flying back to the S.F. area after meeting with a Chinese Zen master from Taiwan in LA. Life is a trip isn’t!

Training/practice takes different shapes, different time. It had been a long day for me, nothing stressful just long, doing misc stuff. I was not up to going out late to Shisuks for practice. This was one those telling moments of what path you take on things, your spirit. I was not up for going , but I did. Part of training is just doing it.

The class had more students attending than cars, in the lot. I was a bit surprised. I bowed and entered. I headed to the back to put up my jacket and stuff then went back on the floor. I was checking out a few picture and getting a bit loosened up when Mae comes up with her orders from Shisuk, we are to practice Chen.

Nice!, I wanted to go over some Chen parts I knew I was missing so this worked out well. I thought Shisuk would have me doing breathing and silk weaving drills. I was pleased it was Chen tonight.

Chen is my favorite of the Tai Chi Chuan sets I have learned. I enjoy the feel of strong yin and yang flow, with the fa jing and the Spiraling chi. As I wrote that I flashed on a thought of trying to send that spiraling chi to the arrow next time I shoot. Maybe I am thinking too liner when I shoot. Just something to test… Away I digress.

I am pleased to be able to learn Chen from Shisuk, who can relate how things work and the crossover with our mantis techniques. He teaches heavy heavy basics, as well as where and how the power travels, the expanding spirals, the expansions and contractions of the body and chi flow. Balance, being centered, rooted, yet flexible. A bamboo in the storm…

I will miss my elders when I go to Nihon. I am blessed to know them and learn from them…Life will provide me with new Elders to learn from. Perhaps I have already met them…

Chen style for me is more like I’m doing Kung Fu and not just ‘motion zen”. This Chen, Shisuk is training me with, will be the advanced level training for my students under the Japanese Program. Yang 24-beginners, Chu 24 Palm-intermediate, Chen 24 - advanced. This will be in addition to other practice training, but these will be the forms for the foundation of the Tai Chi Chaun Path along with some Zazen. I think these give a good balance on training, rather than just a long 106 movement form few would practice. This way even if they picked just one form to learn and practice, and drill and digest and make it theirs… it would be a worthwhile path, for any age, even more so an active, heath wise senior, or middle age seeker!

So how was my practice tonight,　ままをを! Some parts I felt better with because I have been practicing. I try to remember what I was told last time, and watch the girl I am following, with Shisuk watching me. He corrects her in Chinese , I listen, and correct myself. The lady I am following has gotten amazingly better with her Tai Chi in the last few years.

It was a short session, Shisuk needed to leave on time. So when the Lady I was with needed to leave, I left as well. It had been a while since I had trained with the WC school on a regular basis. They all said, WoW so short, you should stay. I thanked them but needed to go. It was their class time, another time for me, if it is in the Tao.

When I was a kid, staying with my Grandfather, he would not let me have a rifle like the other kids. I had to use a bow & arrow when I went out hunting with them or target shooting. When staying in the house, I’m taking about countryside here, there was some critter that use to get into my room. I did not know what it was, I stayed up waiting for it one night, and shot it. Imagine my shock when the arrow just bounced off it’s thick hide! Yeah, I’ve been into bows for a long time…

This Kyudo thing is a natural for me with that background. Another reason why my mind has been so Kyudo focused, I think also it gives me something else to think about other than finding work during a recession.

I heard more about the Tiger clan Kyudo retreat. We are suppose to be up at 5:30am and lights out for all at 10:30pm. Everything is suppose to be planned out to give maximum exposure to all activities. From Zazen to Long Range shooting. I’m hopeful there will be some free time for me to take pictures, do Tai Chi and read. In a way I am looking forward to this more than the Ch’an retreat, where we will just sitting and listen, sit and talk, sit and well…sit. There will be a little a Tai Chi and motion zen, very little and I’m teaching the Tai Chi. This will also be a good retreat, just different, I’m really pleased the Lady Z is going. We will also be close enough to visit our Nihon homies at night.

I came across an old book I had called Buddhist Yoga whilst doing some storage room clearing. I studied Yoga a lot some 30 yrs ago. I also had Yoga as a large part of my Kung Fu class for a while. I changed it to almost nothing due to time reasons. I plan on bring it back more into the Japan program. There is a large population over fifty I plan on tapping into. I figured to start with my own training. I was surprised when the Lady Z also said she would like to learn some Yoga. So back to the book. This book I read years ago, when I found it I thought it was mostly about positions. It is really very little about positions, some, but mostly about the Principle Oneness of Body and Mind. From Breathing, Skin care, and Food, to Meditation, Repentance & Gratitude. Same things we speak of in Zen Practice…

Whoaaa..Things are a buzz here!! I thought the big thing for our Zen group this year would be the Weekend retreat in Monterey. However Ch’an Shifu, Miao Tian, Deputy Abbot of Shao Lin Temple is coming to or from Tawain to visit the Heart Zen main center in SoCa. He is on his way to or from some other country doing spiritual Shifu stuff. The last I heard in a matter of a few days notice they are expecting 100 people to show up for the one day retreat. At first just I was going, next it was my cousin and I, finally now Lady Z is also going. She was feeling a bit unsure since she had not been practicing. One does not gets a chance of meeting a major Spiritual leader often so I made the choice that she should go….. So we all are going.

Tian Shifu speaks some Japanese, so Lady Z can speak for her & me. I am suppose to do the face to face exchange with the master. whoa. There will also be another Japanese woman there who practices HeartZen so Lady Z can have a talk in Japanese with someone else. I see all this as a good thing and I have a couple hints that this is something I should go to, for whatever reason. So all this goes down in two weeks… The Zen Crew’s Excellant LA Zen Adventure…sugoii

I feel pretty out of it today. Maybe too much sleep. I got up early @ 6:30 did some Zazen then went back to bed until 12:00. or maybe I am hung over, but I only had a small glass of TQ & OJ. More likely I’m just brunt out from the week.

Big trouble over the use of San, Chan, just the name or no name. Who knew outside of Japan it would would be such a big deal! Very Complex and too much to write about. Let’s just say I learned something the hard way, which will not be forgotten. Hard lessons are like that. Now I’ll just pull the nails out of my hands and continue. wiser…

I’m pretty disappointed today. There is a Kyudo demo in the city, I did not go. A couple of weeks ago I wrote to the instructor about an upcoming Seminar asking about the cost, so I could maybe put aside some money to attend. I did not go to the one last year at the S. Mtn Zen Center, as I was not working and no job. This year is a repeat (werid, eh) but I really wanted to attend. I had a small bit of money I would make the effort and have faith in the Tao. I received no reply. Early this week or late last week I got a mass email about needing people for the demo and info concerning the seminar would go out later in a few days. I replied I could help with the demo. I received no reply! My disappointment is not for not going, a bit that, but I received no answers, I felt blown off. I made up a couple of excuses for the reason for that, but still…maybe It’s me.

I have been doing my taxes all this past week for 06′. Sitting on the floor surrounded by papers and two computers a mess! Since I have no office space, it can not be helped. Yup I’m late but I knew I was owed some money so I did not sweat it. I got a notice from the State of CA, saying “Yo Zen dude, whats up we did not get a file from you, get on it by 4/2″ They did not say it like that but it translated to the same. Anywho I finished it, they owe me more than I thought, SWEET! I’ll send it off on Monday. Next week it is 2007 work, I’ll get that out of the way. Another refund will be nice, however it will be no where nice as 06′ from the Feds. It will help though.

I will be flying down to LA in 2 weeks to meet our Ch’an Shifu, he is making a rare visit to the States. My cousin gave me her airline flight credit so I can fly down. Nice! I had been waiting for this since around Thanksgiving, there were changes, then more changes. Finally I let it go it would happen. However now it is.

Tonight is Earth Hour, we will be doing our bit here, I hope you will/did as well!

There is a new blog site starting on Life in America from two Japanese ladies who live here who are in Blasian relationships. If you read Japanese you can check it out here: http://laydz.wordpress.com/

The Ch’an weekend retreat is upcoming in May. I’m still really torn about going or not going. $600.00 for the two of us including room and board. Not really a bad , but when one is not working, serious thought is needed.

We received a blessing on my unemployment check payments. Since I was not working much last year I did not have much in the fund. I thought we were toast. The condo would need to be put up for sale or, go into forecloser from us not paying. However I just made it under the line for the cut off time from my good job last year and my payment will make the mortgage. So we can get by although tightly for the next 6-mo to a year or I get a new job, which ever comes first. The I-Ching says I should meditate and clear my mind to see the path ahead. My plan years ago was to have the Boat not only to sail, enjoy and travel , but if worse came to worse, with work or the government, I would have a place to live and not be homeless…it was a good plan.

Amazing it is Sunday already. Shifu was just saying how times flies these days. Today was the last day of the White Elephant sale. I planned on going. I had a couple of small things I hoped for and nothing else in mind.

The place where the sale is being held is just a few blocks from my cousin. In fact I go by it every time I go to pick her up for “Zen practice” . That was in fact the big plan for today was to go to Zen session. I had not been in awhile. I guess the formal name is my Shanga, ( hmmmaybe that is not right, whatever ). Lady Z was sick last time so I stayed with her. It is more important for me to be consistent daily at home, more than if I go to Shanga. Also for now I will be cutting it down to once a month with the change of working status coming.  Anyway moving on…

I dropped by the White Elephant sale, there were not as many people as years before, so I thought. There where however a lot still coming in as I was leaving. So maybe they, the masses start later or grow over time on the last day. I walked right through the lines as they started to break down the ropes for the opening of the day. It was my smoothest entry yet. Sweet.

I make my planned rounds , only to find nothing I was looking for was left or there. I was very tempted to buy a wetsuit, but figured I could wait until I was sure of the size.  It was 25.00 bucks, if it was 10.00 I would have goen for it. It seemed a bit too small to risk the chance today. Even if I was not overdress for the weather which I was, the weather was great. Still I would not have been able to try it on to test the size. I had this feeling of fighting the force by buying it, so I passed. The only place I did not pass up on a purchase was the book dept. Books go for 4.00 a bag full on the last day. You buy a bag, pay $4.00 and fill it up with whatever you like. Sweet Deal! As a book lover I can not pass up such a deal. I got a few sailing books, for me. Some Japanese novels & Zen Philosophy for lady Z, plus some others fir me, about 25 books for $4.00 nice! After reading the disposable ones will go to a used book store and purchased or recycled. ( reuse, recycle , reduce) Nice desho?!

Next stop is over to get my Cuz, then we drive down to the Zen meeting in Fremont. We were attending the advance session this time. With the change of days and times, this was our best choice. The advance classes are longer. Longer sitting time, one legs and spirit must be up for challenge. The knees are really the only hard part about doing it, 30 min , 40 min. Getting into a comfortable spot and being able to be relaxed yet focus, Body, Chakras, Spirit in alignment, like Kyudo, like doing Tai Chi  or Yoga.

We arrived in prefect time. The beginner session is just finished.

Today they had a movie done by the Shifu in Taiwan, part of his lecture series. Today was about sitting, and being centered. Also about not doing Spirit harmimg practices like letting yourself be possessed by negative force or spirit to gain power. Channeling spirits. This we were told is done in Taiwan by some to who seek enlightenment via some unknown being the key word spirit. Shifu said, we do not need to go to any outside source for spiritual power or enlightenment, or open ourselves up to he chance of Negative power. We have it , enlightenment, spiritual power already with in us. We just need to tap into it.

One can put it another way, God is within us all. All we need to do is turn to that living part of us. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Buddha, Allah, the Great Spirit there is true power.

This in turn after the 30 min. meditation lead to another discussion about, Chi, Spiritual energy, positive and negative. How we take on energy whenever we are out and exposed to other people. The good and the bad chi. How even not doing anything, just living a life of compassion adds good chi to the environment . However like the dust that gathers on us during the day, we need to wash off our spirit by meditation daily, to help rid us of negative chi. Meditation is a shower for our spirit. I have heard that before…

The interesting thing about Meditation is it can be many things. Prayer, worship, celebration, centering, relinking. Depends on where your heart and mind are… I feel like I’ve been to church today. hmmmmm
I doubt if me Mum would see it that way, but that’s another story.

Friday Fu with Shifu.

It had been 3 months since I had been down to Shifu’s. I missed all the Holiday gatherings from both schools because of work or travel or family. Now I am re-programing my life pattern again so time to get back into the cycle. I did not remember if I had told anyone I was coming tonight. It did not matter though.

I got off early from work so I had a bit of time to relax before making the 1 hour min. drive. Traffic turned out to be pretty good, although I did leave on the somewhat late side, about 6:45pm. I arrived@ the Campbell studio around 8:00pm. I came in paid my respects and greetings to all, and started to warm up. I was expected. I was told vegetarian fair was added. One of the things we do on the Friday night practice is eat afterwards. The class/ workout is very loose format. We work-on practice whatever we want and ask any questions on anything. We exchange ideas, clear up questions on application.

I first went through my Tai Chi Palm, after some stretching and horse stance practice. Next went into Yang 24 Tai Chi. I had a couple of question on application of a move in Tai Chi palm so I asked, Art Shixong . He was there as usual practicing. He runs a group in S.F. and is a classmate of Shifu’s in Wong Jac Man Shigong’s Shaolin Linage, as well as being senior student to Fong Shibak ( elder uncle) another of the 8th generation Chuk Kai Tai Chi Mantis Linage. We went through a couple of things, and also with the added input from Shifu , my questions where covered. With Shifu’s added comment after a discussion grew from this being; “this is why it is important to explain what the movement is doing, not just how to do the move. This is how the student understands.”

It is interesting seeing the differences in teaching styles with Shifu and Shisuk they are completely different personalities and styles. Shifu taught compact skills to the Rangers in Viet Nam. Shisuk grew up in Hong Kong and Shanghai not from a wealth family. They are like Yin and Yang, Fire and water. Both can kill or be helpful.

My next practice section is with Tai Chi sword. I had been working with Art Shixong on this, however I have not been practicing and needed review badly. That is what we did for the next 30 min, review. The main parts I remembered but there were connections I was missing in the form. It was good to repeat. I declined going further until I was better with what I had.

Around this time dinner was ready. Part of the Friday night gathering is we have food afterward. Either BBQ done there at the school or people bring stuff. It the bonding time, food, beer, Cognac. We talk or do not talk, depends. Shifu tells about some history or we just speak about misc stuff, chat.

Generally afterward it is usually late and I take off. Tonight I stayed later. I got one of my brothers to show me a grappling drill I had missed from the seminar, but had seen them practice. We went through it a bunch. He told me Shifu’s explanations from how it is done in the real world and how it is done in class and flow is maintained. This is something I have been wanting to give my students to work on. Since I do not have any new students, I can give my group more advance things to work on now. The group that I have now, will be the ones who will carry my line when I go to Nihon.

I went by to visit Shi-suk at the W.C. school last night. He told me to come by and get some practice in. I was suppose to get there near closing . So it was somewhat late when I left my place, about 8:30 It took will power for me to get going. I was ready to call it an evening and take a bath. However I made my self “Ganbatte” and go. We were I expected going to work on Chen Tai Chi, so I was not seeing a intense Mantis workout.

When I arrived he had me go through the whole set with one of his senior students. I had not seen her in awhile, He had improved 100% from the days when we practiced and went to tournaments and demo’s together. All those private session with Shisuk and a lot of practice paid off. She will be a good heir to Shi-suks, Tai Chi line one day. However she does needs to understand more about”fighting” part of it not just how to move, to be complete.

I went through the set with her, from time to time Shi-suk would check me out. I did not feel I was doing well and was expecting to hear about it. I had not been putting the time in with my Chen studies. More on Our Shigung’s Ta Chi Palm and Yang 24. I enjoy Chen alot. It does take some will power to practice it though with everything else going on. With my new training program I’ll doing it more often, not everyday but more often.

When the WC class let out Shi-suk came and went through the Chen with me up to Single Whip. He had alway said that the rest of the form is easy if you get up to here correct. We repeated a few time up to the same sot. Then he had me just go over the opening over and over. Correcting , my stance, balance, arms and points of awareness. He had me go into position then said , you cannot do push hands like this, you will lose and gave me the smallest of pushes and I right away lost my balance. He had me push him hard as a could from the stance. I could not move him. Different stance, not a budge. Then some from a shifting stance, like push hands. I tried to unbalance him trying to blend in with his movement to a weak spot, nothing…

He said, you & I do not need more forms, or movements at this stage. The important part now is working on the details. Practice this!

After our little session we, spoke on other matters. Shi-suk is my mentor. He give me advice and some guidance as if I was his blood nephew. We spoke of my need , in his eyes to purchase a Canon camera, not a Nikon that I am using to do some working and training with his Photography & Wedding studio. He says I should take advantage of the free training I can get from working with his shops’ Photographer. This he says, is a skill you have already, why not develop it more? I is something you can use in Japan. Even if you do not do weddings. He is right. I had some thought on doing some photography there. Boats, Pets, Inland sea, the trip there. Things that if done well, I could sell.

We also spoke of developing/updating his companies website more and what type of Computer should he purchase. He says, with the move to this new location he has lost 60% of his Tailor business. In a way we are in the same place, he says, restarting. Life is training, and starting over.

Morning…on the road
Pink, white, purple and green

Colors against a foggy sky

Flowers herald spring…

Earth is starting over

As do I

Looking back on things from my blog last year, I also see it has been over a year ago that I started with Heart Chan. So much has changed in the past year, yet in some ways I’m full circle to where I was a year ago. So I question myself on what needs to be changed, what was a good thing. What needs to go, with the new year it is good to clean out one’s house…and mind. Keeping what is needed & used.

I reflect on my Ch’an practice. I am still at it so that means a lot. I am now doing it twice a day for the last 5 months rather than just once daily. I enjoy the space I find when in Zuò Chán ( Zazen). I have found points of merger between the Yin of stillness and the Yang of Motion which can be passed to my Shaolin Students. I can explain the need for both in a balanced training and have included basic meditation as part of the standard warm ups along with Chi Gong. Awake the Body, awake the mind. This was my reason for seeking this out, to make that connection between them, and to understand the basics of how that worked, that was the knowledge I sought. That was the enlightenment I wanted. Although I have just peeped through the door of the training hall, and eaten the crumbs from the table of knowledge I am pleased at where I am. I am grateful to have found the table, & for the crumbs.

Gratitude… there are side-effects to the Ch’an practice. Because it is not just about sitting and going beyond the aches and pains of sitting and relating that to everyday life and going beyond to see joy. As Kung Fu is not just about punches and kicks. Ch’an is not just about sitting, it is also about compassion and gratitude, how you live your life. It is about examining other parts of your life and understanding, all other life touches all parts of your life, you are other life and it is you. We are interdependent. We are the world, the universe, all that was, is or will be. In treating other forms of life with compassion and gratitude, we treat ourselves to it. What we do to our Oceans, Lands, & Air, we do to ourselves and our children’s children. That is the reality of no-duality. This is our spiritual connection to all, our respon