source

the source of life
lies in all my chakras
in each of my cells
no one part holds more than the other
all are one
and within each
lives the source.

purpose

the purpose of tai chi
is the same as all spiritual cultivation:
it is to awaken.

purpose

what good is tai chi
if we stumble through our day
forgetting all our lessons?

defenselessness

those who would destroy me
would only
destroy themselves

kindness

every move should be made with
kindness and gentleness
as if you are cradling a new-born pup.

I love myself

The most important element in Tai Chi is loving yourself.

the seat of the spirit

From the heart
I move and sing
I root
I feel
I soar

From the heart
I sink into my body
and taste the light of heaven

From this seat
that on the solar rests
my spirit directs me
body and mind
centered
in a whirling truth

No more are my heart and my body
two

Now they are one

No more are my body, mind and spirit
three

They are one

From this cosmic center
I now move
one with heaven
one with earth
combined in truth absolute
finally connected
with all that is

Golden Heart Exercise

Before beginning, experiment with this:

Imagine the sun in the sky before you, shining brightly. Now, gather it into your heart with your hands. Let that light fill you and breathe it in, thinking of those you love, of what you love, of love itself, or simply surrendering to that light. Breathe out love. Feel your body changing. Feel the cells of your body collecting the bits of light, becoming one with them until you are vibrating at this higher frequency. Now, gently bring this light down to your lower dan tien (your root/spleen chakras). This is what you are. Now you may begin, knowing this light and love within you as you move.

Light breathing practice

Breathe in light

Breathe out love

when walking

when talking

when dancing through the form

Breathe in light

Breathe out love

and feel what is occurring

to you

Tai Chi is Celebrating Life

My daughter, after seeing some pictures of me doing tai chi, asked me why I wasn't smiling. I couldn't give her an answer right away, but later realized my mistake. I had been so intent on the form and my physical self, that I was not surrendering in the least. I was posing. I was moving through the form with only my ego to guide me. Very empty indeed and no reason to smile: the ego judges harshly. Her observation has stuck with me and whenever I find myself moving through the form without a smile, I realize I am cutting myself off from the very universe I am wanting to dance with. When I breathe in light and breathe out love, the universe carries me on its wings and I cannot help but smile while in the midst of this celebration of life.