李合春 道长
TAOIST MASTER LI HECHUN   

A well functioning body is a prerequisite to opening the body channels to the flow of chi, lifeforce. In the morning sessions, Master Li will be teaching various chi cultivation practices that serve as a proper warm-up for the Tai-chi. These practices will ground the body, massage and open the joints, relax the muscles and, draw the earth chi to cleanse the “body-mind”*. Finally, draw the heavenly yang chi to charge the body-mind.

*Body-mind, hsin translates as “heart-mind” which refers to the Chinese conception of body and mind being non-dual. Just like everything else in the universe, hsin is being perceived as a modulation of chi, electro-magnetic energy, which binds all there is together. The Taoist view is that hsin is a microcosm within the macrocosm.

The Taoist Tai-chi is deeply rooted in ancient philosophy and spirituality. The emphasis is on softness, slow motion and the inner movement of chi. As the way of the Tao is being associated with an easy-flowing stream, the Taoist Tai-chi encourages you to feel the flow and flow with the feeling. In Taoism, unmediated feeling is the way of true knowing. This mode of knowing is much celebrated in the Taoist tradition, and given direct expression in a variety of arts as well as the life-style. Good Tai-chi practice promotes a development within that furthers an immediacy of feeling. The ultimate achievement of Tai-chi is to harmonize the body-mind with the flow of lifeforce. This practice involves a deep relaxation; with the specific movements of Tai-chi, subtle muscles are being exercised so that the body becomes supple and flexible. These features of Tai-chi are being likend to the bamboo tree much celebrated in the Chinese tradition for its superb strength; hollow and supple, the bamboo tree just bends through heavy storms, it never breaks. In other words, softness and flexibilty is strength and long-life – rigidity is weakness and death. Flexibility of body-mind is an achievement, and observing moderation is a necessary ingredient in this process. Prudence represents one of the Taoist virtues; with respect to the Taoist Tai-chi practice, this means never to overextend oneself, and to keep to the 70% rule of what you can do at any stage.

Taoist Philosophy

To be able to align oneself with the flow of chi is an achievement. The way of the Tao is continuity and change, an ongoing creation in the total field of life known as a continuum. A variety of the Taoist arts and the great number of chi practices are designed to catch the momentum of the chi flow. This achievement is based on a disciplined spontaneity and a persistent practice. These are central features of Taoist cultivation and, the way of making life an art. What does this mean? The term Tao interpreted as “way-making” encourages a personal co-creation of life. Connecting with the stream of continous creation means going downstream in life. Taoism celebrates this lifestyle which generates Great Joy, or a “free and easy wandering” associated with the legendary Taoist master Chuang-tzu qouted below.

These are central features of Taoist cultivation and the way of making life an art. What does this mean? The term Tao can be interpreted as «waymaking» which encourages a personal co-creation of life, life in its essence is seen as a continuum of change – Tao. Connecting with this stream of continous creation means going downstream in life. Taoism celebrates this life-style which generates Great Joy, or a «free and easy wandering» associated with the legendary Taoist master Chuang-tzu qouted below.

Easy is right Begin right and you are easy Continue easy and you are right The right way to go easy Is to forget the right way And forget that the going is easy

The deep philosophy of the Chuang-tzu and the Tao-te Ching by Lao Tzu represents the underlying source of the Taoist practices and life-style. These scriptures date back about 2500 years, and the Tao-te Ching is probably the most read classic of wisdom-literature in the world. The metaphor of water is frequently referred to throughout this scripture which emphasizes the many virtues of Water as a model for humans; its calm, soft and yielding character is also the source of its greatest strengths. These features also applies to the Taoist Tai-chi practice. Coercive action wubuwei and striving means going upstream, and may cause a loss of connection with the natural flow of “everything”, - the ongoing dynamic process of creation, Tao. In meeting with insurmountble obstacles on its pathway, water will first gather and then ride roughshod over the most unyielding in the world; even the hardest rock can be smoothened by
the gentleness of water; “weakness” is strength. Water stays in the lowest of all places, and is thus gathering any resources that come its way. Further, water is able to transform in accordance with circumstances, and without loosing its essence; water can be ice, cloud, lake, steam, stream, rain, snow and ocean.

Suggested reading :
Deng Ming-Dao, Chronicles of Tao. The secret life of a Taoist Master.
Chen Kaiguo and Zheng Shunchao, Opening the Dragon Gate. The Making of a Modern Taoist
Wizard. Translation by Thomas Cleary.
"An absorbing biography and exceptional story about the way a 13 year old boy,
Wang Liping, was initiated into magic and trained by three old masters to become the 19th
transmitter of the Dragon Gate branch of Taoism. Wang Liping's apprenticeship lasted for 15
years, and took place before and during the Cultural revolution".
Henricks, Lao Tzu, Tao-Te Ching
Watson, Chuang-tzu, The Inner Chapters

*Please note : When back home, the individual practice can be greatly supported by reviewing DVDs by Master Li. There are five different DVDs available for purchase which include: Morning Practice I, Morning Practice II, Tai Chi Cultivation 24 movements form, Tai chi Cultivation 48 movements form, Walking Meditation. You will find a description of the contents of each of these DVDs by clicking DVDs on the menu-bar.