Autumn 2021 Living Tao Essential Tai Ji Series — Session One
(October 2021)
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WOW!!
Continuing to explore the metaphors of the basic Tai Ji motifs, starting with the “Five Moving Forces of Nature” 五行 (Wu Xing), the essential Qi Gong practice of the “Eight Folds of Silk Brocades” 八段錦 (Ba Duan Jin), and gradually unraveling the Tai Ji circles, one motif at a time, delving deeper into the never ending explorations. We will re-examine the simple purity with the metaphors of “Unbleached Silk and Uncarved Block” 純樸 (Chun Pu); to “Return to Being the Child” 返樸歸真 (Fan Pu Gui Zhen), to recapture a “Sense of Universal Wonder”, to be 天真 Heavenly Truthful (Tian Zhen), and Naturally So 自然 (Zi Ran).
Heavenly Truthful
Self So-Ness / Naturally So
Five Moving Forces of Nature
Eight Folds of Silk Brocades 八段錦Ba Duan Jin
(also, Eight Pieces of Brocade)
- Shuang Shou Tuo Tian li San Jiao雙手托天理三焦
Both hands hold up the Heavens to regulate the Triple Heaters
- Zuo You Kai Gon Si She Diao 左右開弓似射雕
Drawing the bow left and right to shoot the hawk
- Tiao Li Pi Wei Xu Dan Ju 調理脾胃须單舉
Circulate heaven and earth with singular arms for healthy spleen and stomach
- Wu Lao Qi Shang Wang Hou Qiao 五劳七傷往後瞧
Looking back stretching to heal all illnesses
- Yao Tou Bai Wei Qu Xin Huo 摇頭擺尾去心火
Sway the head and shake the tail to cool the overly passionate Heart Fire
- Liang Shou Pun Zhu Gu Shen Yao Two 兩手攀足固腎腰
Hands hold the Feet to strengthen the kidneys and lower back
- Zan Quan Nu Mu Zeng Qi Li 攒拳怒目增氣力
Clench the fists and glare fiercely to fortify Qi strength
- Bei Hou Qi Dian Bai Bing Xiao 背后七颠百病消
Looking back seven times a hundred illnesses will be healed
Two Symbols Using 8 Directions to Remember the Qi Flow
Tai Ji Movements in First Circle Practice
Bai He Liang Chi 白鹤亮翅 White Crane Spreads (flashes) it Wings
Shou Hui Pi Pa 手揮琵琶 Playing Pipa
Ti Shou 提手 Lifting Hand; Shang Shi 上勢 Up pose/posture
Metaphors of Unbleached Silk and Uncarved Block
You always carry within yourself the very thing that you need
for the fulfillment of your life purpose.
by Malidorma Some‘ author of
Of Water and the Spirit
Supplemental References
Child in the Rain Video: https://youtu.be/mxmmvHsDeuI
The Valley Spirit: Living a Tao-Inspired Life
Stephen Altschuler
2021 Sacajawea Press, Vancouver, WA.USA
The following material can be found in previous session study materials which have been posted on the Living Tao website.
September 2020 Study Materials:
- Wu Xing (Five Moving Forces)
- Jing/Qi/Shen (Essence/Breath/Spirit)
- Tai Ji Ritual Guide
- Tai Ji Chakras (Zhong/Yong/An/Ding/Ne/Guan/Yin)