Osobní reflexe

What I have come to appreciate more deeply over the last two years is that development as a person does not stop once we become an adult. My parents were my first trusted guides when I was a child and I developed slowly over time, as all children do. I lost them both tragically just after I reached adulthood. I had to go by their early teachings as I navigated the adult world. I was lucky to have received a good foundation from them, a good education and good genes. They all served me well and gave me confidence to carry on as a young adult.

Then ten years ago, after my own kids were grown, I started learning Taoist Tai Chi® arts. I came at first for the physical practice, but I soon realized that I was getting much more from it. Every so often, after getting involved in some new aspect of the organization, I would think ‘OK, now I understand what this is.’ But now I know that his teachings can’t be fully understood or explained in a few words. There is always more.

This practice provides stability, support and assurance to me as an adult, similar to what my family provided when I was a child. The rituals offer comfortable patterns to life, the daily physical practice improves my physical health and stability, and the encouragement from leadership to develop good habits and let go of worry provides the support needed to keep improving.

I have taken to heart the lesson to look inward at my own rough spots – places that are in need of improvement. I am assured that it takes time – one percent – and I am encouraged to go easy on myself (and on others) while having the discipline to keep at it. I am learning to look inward and trust my feelings – my heart, and I have developed more confidence. Knowing that I am OK allows me to not worry about myself and instead look outward to discover what I can do to help others.

I am grateful to have found his teachings for new guidance on the path to becoming a better adult.

Confession, from a sudden somehow shocking discovery.

I looked inside it.

It is largely filled with knowledge, in a very intellectual sense and not always then brought to live confrontation with reality.

And it is filled with fascinating notions, that I have tried to memorize, write down, remember by heart.

The brain taking over the heart and the practice being neglected.

Fortunately, the cup is also - even though only partially - filled with an understanding that feels good, is deeply felt and reached my heart from someone else’s heart, without the mediation of reasoning.

Something sharable, that tastes like trust.

Lightened by letting go of any useless opinion (whether they are mine or others’).

Now or then.

With others.

Thank you all for being here listening and helping!

Why I joined?

When asked why I started Taoist Tai Chi® practice, my response was that mostly I was curious because my dad had joined a community session a couple of years before his passing. But that couldn’t explain why I’ve stayed for almost 17 years and why the arts have become such a treasured part of my life.

Why I stayed?

Recently, I’ve come to understand this connection more deeply. After my parents passed away within a few months of each other, I needed to fill a void in my life. I no longer had the forces guiding my moral compass and the wisdom of their years as my counsel. And I have come to see that the eight virtues that Master Moy encouraged us to live by are the same values with which I was raised.

The leadership of FLK and his teachings give me the path to follow. They are my guide and my compass. The organization feels like family. And now I have an eternal foundation and ancient traditions that stand in place of my personal roots. Daily practice of the eight virtues tames my heart and brings direction and meaning to my life. I am grateful for the wisdom of the Taoist Tai Chi® arts.

Filial Piety – it came naturally and without question to honour our parents. It is a gift to be able to provide for them during All Souls Festival.

Sibling Harmony – respect and caring of others was a foundation in my family, and these qualities are exemplified in the family of participants around the world – the feeling is unmistakable in all interactions and gatherings.

Dedication – honesty, hard work, and commitment with an open heart – unspoken but understood as I was growing up – it became a part of my being and I try to set an example of this for my children – the FLK leadership tirelessly demonstrates this dedication.

Trustworthiness – sincere heart and reputation for truth and honesty – lies and deceit were simply not tolerated in my family and have no place on our path.

Propriety – our life was simple, but not without strict observance of good conduct, manners and courtesy. The FLK family exemplifies this in all interactions. Disrespect is not tolerated.

Sacrifice – my parents were the reflection of selflessness – raising four children, caring for each other, working tirelessly to set an example of trust, honesty and dedication. I have opportunity now still, to continue to learn from the examples set by the FLK family.

Honour – the humble hearts of my parents touched all with whom they shared this life – co-workers, extended family, neighbors and even many they encountered only briefly. I am reminded of this humility and sincere heart in the FLK organization.

Sense of Shame – dignity in the face of trials, sincerity, and virtuous living. Life lessons taught by my parents that bring peace and balance. These lessons continue.

I remember my first retreat with Master Moy. I had only been practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts for a few months. I approached Master Moy during a break and asked him what I should do to get better, to improve, expecting something profound. He just looked at me and then said “practice” and walked away. At the time I thought to myself “that’s not much help.” But I continued practicing his teachings.

Over the years, as I continued to practice, and from time to time reflected on what Master Moy had told me, I came to realize that I was slowly improving and that it was happening by following his teachings. I didn’t appreciate until years later just how truly profound that advice was. There were no shortcuts. Just practice.

Zaráža ma, ako často ľudia vravia o poslednom období, ako o najhoršom čase, plnom neslobody a strachu. Keď naši lídri povedali, že pandémia je obdobím veľkých príležitosti a mali by sme za ňu istým spôsobom byť vďačný, bolo to akoby mi hovorili priamo z duše.

Obdobie pandémie vnímam ako úžasnú príležitosť počas ktorej s nami naši lídri zdieľajú jeho bohaté umenia prostredníctvom inšpirujúcich príbehov a čas, ktorý máme na náš individuálny tréning nám dáva možnosť objavovať samých seba na úrovniach, o ktorých sme nemali potuchy. Stačí to len vyskúšať a každý sa sám presvedčí o tom, že to skutočne funguje.

Najdôležitejším poznaním za posledné obdobie pre mňa však bolo, ako veľmi je dôležité si navzájom pomáhať. Našu organizáciu som od začiatku vnímal, že je predovšetkým o nezištnej pomoci. A v tom chcem aj do budúcna pokračovať, či už ako LIT osobne na skupinách, alebo počas online stretnutí, alebo v administratíve.

Našťastie je toľko príležitostí trénovať jeho umenia, pretože len vďaka osobnej skúsenosti môžeme byť schopní úprimne zdieľať všetko, čo sme sa naučili iným.

It amazes me how often people talk about the last period as the worst time, full of fear and lack of freedom. When our leaders said that the pandemic was a time of great opportunity and we should be grateful for it in some way, it was as if they were speaking directly from my heart.

I see the pandemic as a wonderful opportunity during which our leaders are sharing his teachings with us through inspiring stories, and the time we have for our individual training gives us the opportunity to discover ourselves at levels we have no idea about. Just try it and everyone will see for themselves that it really works.

However, the most important knowledge of recent times for me was how important it is to help each other. From the beginning, I perceived our organization that it is primarily about selfless help. And I want to continue to do so in the future, whether as leaders in training, in person or in groups, or during online meetings, or in administration.

Fortunately, there are so many opportunities to practice his teachings, because only through personal experience we can be able to sincerely share everything what we have learned.

Získávání důvěry

Mám pocit, že jsem měla velké štěstí, když jsem před téměř dvaceti lety objevila umění Taoist Tai ChiTM, zvláště když jsem svědkem toho, jak se moji sourozenci dodnes potýkají s následky našeho těžkého dětství.

Když se narodíte do dysfunkční rodiny, máte rodiče, kteří mají nestálý vztah, nediagnostikované psychické problémy a deset dětí, ocitnete se v prostředí chaosu, zanedbávání a citového a fyzického zneužívání, v prostředí, kde není žádná důvěra, žádné vedení, žádná šance na to, abyste se dokázali uvolnit. To všechno se podepisuje na vašem zdraví.

Poté, co se toto rušné životní období konečně začalo zpomalovat - s prací, výchovou dětí a snahou dohnat zameškané vzdělání, jsem se rozhodla, že je čas začít se o sebe trochu víc starat. Už v minulosti jsem měla několik zdravotních problémů, ale pak mi bylo diagnostikováno zánětlivé onemocnění střev (IBD). Bylo mi řečeno, že to bude dlouhodobý stav, ale já jsem se s tím nechtěla dlala smířit, a tak jsem hledala umění, které by mi pomohlo získat své zdraví zpět. Několik let jsem cvičila jiný styl tai chi, ale nenabízel filozofii, kterou jsem od tai chi organizace očekávala. Pak jsem narazila na jeho učení. První setkání, kterého jsem se zúčastnila, ve mně vyvolalo pocit, že jsem doma, a dodnes si tento pocit pamatuji a dokážu si tuto lekci vybavit.

Cítím, že těch mnoho lekcí, intenzivních cvičení a retreatů, které jsem v průběhu let navštívila, vnímám jako takový dlouhý základní kurz, kterým jsem osobně potřebovala projít. Pomohl mi zbavit se problémů s IBD a dobře mě připravil na poslední dva roky pandemie, kdy jsem se mohla ještě více soustředit sama na sebe a na osobní praktikování. Poslední dva roky pro mě byly jako další stupeň studia, které navázalo na můj dlouhý základní kurz. Každotýdenní setkáním FLK, která mi pomáhají na mé cestě, mi připomínají, abych si nedělala starost. Díky nim mohu aplikovat témata ze sezení FLK do své praxe a každodenního života. Z každodenního fyzického praktikování se postupně stal návyk. Nyní věnuji pozornost svým pocitům a roli administrátora zapojeného do národních, regionálních, pobočkových a místních online setkání. To všechno dohromady mi konečně pomohlo rozpoznat a zažít pocit důvěry, pocit, že jsem součástí rodiny, které na nás záleží natolik, že nás vychovává. Zažívám pocit, že mám nějaký směr, pocit, že se mohu i uvolnit, a to i v této zvláštní době, ve které se nacházíme.

To, že jsem v dětství i v dospělosti neměla jinou možnost, než být vtažena do turbulencí ostatních lidí, protože jsou mou rodinou, znamenalo pro mě dlouhou cestu k získání rovnováhy, zdraví, důvěry a sebedůvěry. Dnes jsem zdravější než kdykoli předtím. Léta praktikování jeho učení vyústila v pocit klidu, pokoje, který jsem jako dítě nikdy nezažila. Díky tomuto klidu v mysli a duši se ta dlouhá cesta vyplatila.

Moji rodiče už oba zemřeli. Během loňského Festivalu všech duší jsem slyšela, že ideou festivalu je nabídnout způsob, jak pomoci všem uvolnit se, odpustit, smířit se, najít harmonii, posunout se vpřed a vrátit se ke zdravým vztahům se živými i mrtvými. Bylo pro mě těžké se s tím vším vyrovnat, ale koupila jsem dvě dočasné pamětní plakety pro každého z rodičů v naději, že oba konečně odpočívají v pokoji.

Sandra, Velká Británie

Ma première séance de pratique Tai Chi TaoïsteMD remonte à janvier 2007, j’avais 55 ans.

C’est intéressant de constater que je me souvienne de la date, ça fait tout de même presque 15 ans. Je me souviens que je n’étais pas tellement en forme physiquement, ma masse musculaire avait beaucoup diminué suite aux années de soins accordées à ma famille et j’avais beaucoup de douleurs au bas du dos.

C’était un petit groupe de 5-6 personnes. C’était une séance d’une heure à l’heure du dîner. Comme j’arrivais du travail et que j’y retournais ensuite, j’étais pas mal agitée en arrivant et en mode performance. Toujours faire vite, apprendre vite, ne pas faire d’erreur. J’étais en mode compétitive par rapport aux autres, à l’image du milieu du travail.

J’arrive donc à ce cours où il règne un silence et un calme. Le leader de la séance ne parle pratiquement pas français et donc dit très peu de choses (maintenant je comprends que ce n’était pas nécessairement la barrière de la langue mais la méthode utilisée qui donnait cette ambiance).

Je me souviens que ça m’agaçait de ne pas avoir plus d’explications, j’aime bien tout comprendre. Je trouvais aussi le rythme trop lent à mon goût.

Alors pourquoi suis-je restée? Je n’ai pas encore toutes les réponses. J’étais inconfortable mais j’ai laissé une chance au leader, à moi-même et aux enseignements de Maître Moy. Faire les mouvements sans trop me poser de questions, sans chercher une réponse intellectuelle, faisait contraste avec mon tempérament, mon travail et ma vie familiale. Ça calmait mon esprit, ça me reconnectait avec mon corps et avec le moment présent. Comment je me sens? Cette question, souvent on ne s’autorise pas à se la poser lorsqu’on a une famille. Les besoins des enfants passent avant tout et on s’oublie.

Après quelques semaines, mes douleurs au dos se sont atténuées et j’ai retrouvé un peu plus de souplesse ce qui m’a aussi encouragé à persister. J’ai aussi compris et surtout senti qu’il n’y avait aucune forme de compétition, ça a contribué à diminuer l’inquiétude et modifié mon attitude reliée à la performance.

Ça a apporté plus de détente. Je ne parlerais pas encore ici de quiétude, cet aspect viendra plus tard dans mon parcours.

Voilà mes souvenirs jusqu’à maintenant sur mes tout débuts. Je poursuis ma réflexion, il me revient encore plusieurs souvenirs qui teintent mon cheminement taoïste pas seulement au début mais à différentes périodes. À suivre…

My first Taoist Tai Chi^® practice session was in January 2007, I was 55 years old.

It's interesting that I remember the date, it's been almost 15 years. I remember that I was not in good shape physically, my muscle mass had decreased a lot after years of caring for my family and I had a lot of pain in my lower back.

It was a small group of 5-6 people. It was at lunch time, a one-hour session. Since I was coming straight from work and had to go back right after, I was quite agitated when I arrived, and I was in a performance mode. Always do it fast, learn fast, don't make mistakes. I was in a competitive mode compared to others, just like the work environment.

So, I arrived at this session, where there was silence and calm. The leader in training (LIT) hardly spoke any French and therefore said very little (now I understand that it was not necessarily the language barrier, but the method used that provided this calm atmosphere).

I remember that it annoyed me not to have more explanations, I like to understand everything. I also found the pace too slow for my taste.

So why did I stay? I don't have all the answers yet. I was uncomfortable but I gave the LIT, myself, and the teachings a chance. Doing the movements without asking too many questions, without looking for an intellectual answer, was in contrast with my personality, my work, and my family life. It calmed my mind, reconnected me with my body and with the present moment. How do I feel? This is a question we often don't allow ourselves to ask when we have a family. The needs of the children come first, and we forget ourselves.

After a few weeks, my back pain subsided and I regained a little bit more flexibility, which also encouraged me to continue.

I also understood and especially felt that there was no competition, which contributed to reducing my anxiety and modified my attitude related to performance.

It brought me more relaxation. I wouldn’t say peace of mind yet, this aspect will come later in my journey.

These are my memories up to now of my very beginnings. I continue my reflection; I still remember several memories that influenced my Taoist Tai Chi^® path not only at the beginning but at different periods. To be continued...

Je suis à l’Institut de taoïsme Fung Loy Kok depuis 1990, c'est sûr que ma pratique m'a apporté des changements physiques de tout mon être et de ma vie personnelle.

Ma pratique avec les séances et ma pratique personnelle m'a aidée à garder une flexibilité qui s’est répercutée sur mon état d'esprit. Pour moi, ce point est important car il se relie aussi à mon corps, le fait d'être plus calme, concentrée dans l'instant présent.

Le bénévolat que j'ai fait et que je fais encore m'aide à garder l'ouverture du cœur aux autres.

J'apprends à me connaître davantage et être à mon écoute. J'avais quand même au début mes qualités et défauts mais je pense que j'ai pu faire ressortir et améliorer mes qualités.

Avec le temps, je vois, je sens que si je veux maintenir ces beaux acquis, je me dois de continuer de suivre ses enseignements.

Merci de me lire et que j'ai pu faire le point sur les enseignements reçus sur cette voie taoïste. Merci à tous ceux et celles qui m'ont guidée sur ce chemin.

I have been with the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism since 1990 and it is certain that my practice has brought physical changes to my whole being and to my personal life.

My personal practice as well as the sessions have helped me to keep a flexibility that has been reflected in my state of mind. For me, this is important because it also relates to my body, being more calm, focused in the moment.

The volunteer work I have done and still do helps me to keep my heart open to others. I am getting to know myself better and to listen to the feeling. At first, I had my qualities and flaws, but I think I was able to bring out and improve my qualities.

With time, I see and feel that if I want to maintain these wonderful achievements, I need to follow his teachings.

Thank you for reading and for that opportunity to reflect on his teachings of this Taoist Tai Chi^® path. Thank you to all those who have guided me on this path.

When I joined FLK in February 2018, I continually heard the mantra of relax, straighten your hips, turn your body, shift the weight, ground the feet etc. At the first this had little meaning, but as I attended more sessions we focused on each aspect and slowly things started to make sense and my body started to respond.

Through the COVID lockdown, I put into practice the different aspects of our training and learnt the movements. I looked forward to our return to in person sessions to have my bad habits corrected. Since returning, I have with the leaders’ in training guidance focused on how my body feels and adjusted my moves accordingly to feel the benefits (e.g. the stretch, transfer of weight etc.).

I have noticed improvements in my balance, and flexibility, my niggly thoracic pain has gone, I have full range of arm movements and I can pick up my grandchildren.

In January of this year I had a heart attack. I thought how could this be happening to me? I’m in good physical condition and had changed some things for better living. I felt angry, disappointed, frustrated, and confused. Then to be in a pandemic, life did not seem good at all.

I thought that my situation didn’t just occur. I had no problem practicing all those years to get to that moment. We were asked to do self practice which seemed to be another hurdle, however I knew the importance of it.

I realized that time is one of the most precious things we have. The importance of it, what you decide to do with it, is what really counts. I read this saying; “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain”.

Self practice has given me the opportunity for improvement mentally and physically, discipline, softness and the courage to keep going. Chanting is challenging, however it seems to be helping with my breathing and has given me some confidence. I find myself calmer and willing to listen when dealing with certain situations, rather than reacting and possibly escalating the situation.

I have a long ways to go, however I’m aware of and feel the changes, and have a better understanding that one percent everyday is the key and the medicine for improvement.