Simple things are valued more than complexity. At the heart of everything lies the essence.
This is what matters. Not the outward show.
And the essence is always simple.
Strike to the heart of all things in life and you interact with the real.
Remain at the periphery and you dance with shadows and dreams. The maya of the floating world.
Thursday
Wednesday
Monday
Sunday
A bubble of stimulation
Most people exist in a bubble.
They wake in their own home, get into their car and then go to work/shops/wherever.
There is seldom any time spent in the fresh air.
Homes, cars and public places are usually filled with noise and stimulation.
Visual images, flickering screens, twittering voices, gossip...
Where is the peace in your life?
The stillness?
They wake in their own home, get into their car and then go to work/shops/wherever.
There is seldom any time spent in the fresh air.
Homes, cars and public places are usually filled with noise and stimulation.
Visual images, flickering screens, twittering voices, gossip...
Where is the peace in your life?
The stillness?
Saturday
Aloneness
Find time for solitude in your life. Switch everything off and walk away.
No phone. No iPod.
Leave your car behind and make sure that you travel alone.
Get to know yourself again.
Spend some time thinking, feeling, contemplating and living.
Go out in the early hours and walk along the surf. Hear only the splash of the sea and the babble of your own thoughts.
In time, your mind will calm and the inner noise will fade.
If you cannot find somewhere nice to go, spend time alone in a room or simply walk the streets.
Do not try to share this with anyone else. Set aside your insecurities and stand alone. Be strong. Be you.
This is a journey for you alone.
When you understand the peace of aloneness, you will become silent within.
This will permeate your life and you will also know silence without.
You will have found your quiet. And you will know that it is not meek at all. It lives. It breathes.
Potential resides within.
No phone. No iPod.
Leave your car behind and make sure that you travel alone.
Get to know yourself again.
Spend some time thinking, feeling, contemplating and living.
Go out in the early hours and walk along the surf. Hear only the splash of the sea and the babble of your own thoughts.
In time, your mind will calm and the inner noise will fade.
If you cannot find somewhere nice to go, spend time alone in a room or simply walk the streets.
Do not try to share this with anyone else. Set aside your insecurities and stand alone. Be strong. Be you.
This is a journey for you alone.
When you understand the peace of aloneness, you will become silent within.
This will permeate your life and you will also know silence without.
You will have found your quiet. And you will know that it is not meek at all. It lives. It breathes.
Potential resides within.
Friday
Direct transmission
One major feature of discipleship is the hands-on one-to-one training with the master.
This is vital.
Hundreds of hours of training are required.
The student must literally 'feel' how the master moves, learn their secrets, their rhythm, their timing.
The physical is-ness of the art cannot be passed-on by words, by watching or by willpower.
It must be experienced through touch.
This process is beyond words.
This is vital.
Hundreds of hours of training are required.
The student must literally 'feel' how the master moves, learn their secrets, their rhythm, their timing.
The physical is-ness of the art cannot be passed-on by words, by watching or by willpower.
It must be experienced through touch.
This process is beyond words.
Thursday
Ignorance
Awareness makes us acutely conscious of our ignorance. It wakes us up. We are not enlightened or saintly.
Our perspective has broadened a little and some barriers have fallen. Nothing more.
An awakened person can only feel happiness and freedom when it is not at the expense of others.
What use is freedom when another person pays for your pleasure?
Compassion compels us to live a considerate life. A life of kindness and equanimity.
We see balance. We see discord and harmony. We see possibilities.
Keeping quiet is essential.
If you draw attention to yourself, you tread on somebody else's feet.
This creates discord.
It is far better to remain silent and unknown. Anonymous and silent.
A quiet person does not parade their skills or demonstrate their accomplishments. They remain humble and reserved.
Our perspective has broadened a little and some barriers have fallen. Nothing more.
An awakened person can only feel happiness and freedom when it is not at the expense of others.
What use is freedom when another person pays for your pleasure?
Compassion compels us to live a considerate life. A life of kindness and equanimity.
We see balance. We see discord and harmony. We see possibilities.
Keeping quiet is essential.
If you draw attention to yourself, you tread on somebody else's feet.
This creates discord.
It is far better to remain silent and unknown. Anonymous and silent.
A quiet person does not parade their skills or demonstrate their accomplishments. They remain humble and reserved.
Wednesday
Obscurity was his nature, as well as his profession. The byways of espionage are not populated by the brash and colourful adventurers of fiction. A man who, like Smiley, has lived and worked for years among his country's enemies learns only one prayer: that he may never, never be noticed.
Assimilation is his highest aim, he learns to love the crowds who pass him in the street without a glance; he clings to them for his anonymity and his safety. His fear makes him servile - he could embrace the shoppers who jostle him in their impatience, and force him from the pavement. He could adore the officials, the police, the bus conductors, for the terse indifference of their attitudes.
But this fear, this servility, this dependence, had developed in Smiley a perception of the colour of human beings: a swift, feminine sensitivity to their characters and motives. He knew mankind as a huntsman knows his cover, as a fox the wood.
(John Le Carre)
Assimilation is his highest aim, he learns to love the crowds who pass him in the street without a glance; he clings to them for his anonymity and his safety. His fear makes him servile - he could embrace the shoppers who jostle him in their impatience, and force him from the pavement. He could adore the officials, the police, the bus conductors, for the terse indifference of their attitudes.
But this fear, this servility, this dependence, had developed in Smiley a perception of the colour of human beings: a swift, feminine sensitivity to their characters and motives. He knew mankind as a huntsman knows his cover, as a fox the wood.
(John Le Carre)
Tuesday
Freedom
Free of pride and vanity we capable of being the best that we can be...
Not the top of the class. Not the one with the medals and the trophies or the public acclaim.
No, we aim far higher than this.
We reach our own potential. We grow into ourselves. We see who we are and stop 'becoming'.
This is done in order to please ourselves. For its own sake. Not for a reward. Not for approval.
There is no need for attention. We do not require a witness or an audience.
We excel because anything less would be half a life. A waste of the possibility before us.
Not the top of the class. Not the one with the medals and the trophies or the public acclaim.
No, we aim far higher than this.
We reach our own potential. We grow into ourselves. We see who we are and stop 'becoming'.
This is done in order to please ourselves. For its own sake. Not for a reward. Not for approval.
There is no need for attention. We do not require a witness or an audience.
We excel because anything less would be half a life. A waste of the possibility before us.
Monday
Humility
Humility cannot be cultivated. It comes from perspective and awareness.
Knowing that we are only one human amongst billions gives perspective.
Realising that humans are just one species amongst millions that share our world is a humbling experience.
The complexity of Earth and all its intricacies is staggering, yet beyond our world lies a universe of possibility.
Arrogance. Pride. Conceit. Vanity. Pomp. Self-importance. Ego. What silly creatures we are.
We are incredible specks of life; both wonderful and deluded. Believing ourselves Gods yet enslaved by our cultures and traditions.
Humility comes from the realisation that existence is unimaginably vast, and we are imperceptibly insignificant.
Although one human make indeed make a mark within our own culture, what does it matter when the entirety of existence is your meter?
Knowing that we are only one human amongst billions gives perspective.
Realising that humans are just one species amongst millions that share our world is a humbling experience.
The complexity of Earth and all its intricacies is staggering, yet beyond our world lies a universe of possibility.
Arrogance. Pride. Conceit. Vanity. Pomp. Self-importance. Ego. What silly creatures we are.
We are incredible specks of life; both wonderful and deluded. Believing ourselves Gods yet enslaved by our cultures and traditions.
Humility comes from the realisation that existence is unimaginably vast, and we are imperceptibly insignificant.
Although one human make indeed make a mark within our own culture, what does it matter when the entirety of existence is your meter?
Sunday
Don't know something?
Don't know what something means? That is fine, and good.
See it as an opportunity to grow and expand.
Simply saying that you don't know and then stopping signifies an unwillingness to change, to evolve as a person, surely?
We all encounter things every day that we don't understand or don't know about.
Be curious.
Explore.
Learn.
Expand your horizons.
Dare to grow, to change.
Don't just talk.
Confucius said:
"I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not quick to give an explanation themselves.
If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again."
See this as a friendly challenge. An invitation to broaden yourself?
In friendship,
Master Waller
See it as an opportunity to grow and expand.
Simply saying that you don't know and then stopping signifies an unwillingness to change, to evolve as a person, surely?
We all encounter things every day that we don't understand or don't know about.
Be curious.
Explore.
Learn.
Expand your horizons.
Dare to grow, to change.
Don't just talk.
Confucius said:
"I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not quick to give an explanation themselves.
If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again."
See this as a friendly challenge. An invitation to broaden yourself?
In friendship,
Master Waller
Somebody and nobody
Awareness offers at least two sides to all situations.
Taoism shows us that we are all unique and special. We all have a gift to offer.
At the same time, if everyone is special, then surely no one can be special?
What is remarkable about being the same as everyone else?
We are all unique yet we are all the same. It seems to be a paradox but there is no paradox.
Any apparent paradox exists in our own thinking.
It is possible to be two things simultaneously without any contradiction occurring.
The contradiction lies with words and thoughts, not with reality.
Every person on this planet is both somebody and nobody.
Taoism shows us that we are all unique and special. We all have a gift to offer.
At the same time, if everyone is special, then surely no one can be special?
What is remarkable about being the same as everyone else?
We are all unique yet we are all the same. It seems to be a paradox but there is no paradox.
Any apparent paradox exists in our own thinking.
It is possible to be two things simultaneously without any contradiction occurring.
The contradiction lies with words and thoughts, not with reality.
Every person on this planet is both somebody and nobody.
Saturday
Wednesday
Discipleship
A disciple cannot claim lineage because they are at the beginning of their lineage journey, not the end.
The life of a disciple is hard.
They must commit many hours every day to meaningful training, attend class every week, private lessons every week, workshops, lineage sessions, boot camp and any other opportunity for training.
They must undertake challenges, reading assignments and tests of sincerity.
The disciple also begins to assist with the running of the school, making decisions, covering lessons and perpetuating the art.
The life of a disciple is hard.
They must commit many hours every day to meaningful training, attend class every week, private lessons every week, workshops, lineage sessions, boot camp and any other opportunity for training.
They must undertake challenges, reading assignments and tests of sincerity.
The disciple also begins to assist with the running of the school, making decisions, covering lessons and perpetuating the art.
Tuesday
Questioner: My mother has been dead for some years. Quite recently I have lost my father also, and I am full of remorse. My sorrow is not only remorse, but also the feeling of suddenly being left alone. What am I to do? How am I to get over it?
Krishnamurti: If one may ask, do you suffer for your father, or does sorrow arise from having no longer the relationship to which you had grown accustomed?
Questioner: I don't quite understand what you mean.
Krishnamurti: Do you suffer because your father is gone, or because you feel lonely?
You are suffering, surely, not for your father, but because you are lonely, and your sorrow is that which comes from self-pity.
(Krishnamurti)
Krishnamurti: If one may ask, do you suffer for your father, or does sorrow arise from having no longer the relationship to which you had grown accustomed?
Questioner: I don't quite understand what you mean.
Krishnamurti: Do you suffer because your father is gone, or because you feel lonely?
You are suffering, surely, not for your father, but because you are lonely, and your sorrow is that which comes from self-pity.
(Krishnamurti)
Monday
Perseverance
Qigong gets easier with practice.
Your body becomes conditioned and you no longer notice the difficulty.
Students who train regularly at home find that the exercises become ingrained quite rapidly. They gain a fantastic sense of relaxation and feel energised. Their bodies also become far stronger and resilient.
When you feel good, it is easy to exercise. You want to exercise.
Your body becomes conditioned and you no longer notice the difficulty.
Students who train regularly at home find that the exercises become ingrained quite rapidly. They gain a fantastic sense of relaxation and feel energised. Their bodies also become far stronger and resilient.
When you feel good, it is easy to exercise. You want to exercise.
Sunday
Becoming a disciple
The first step on the path to claiming lineage involves becoming a lineage disciple.
This is easy enough.
You simply need to meet the qualifying criteria, undertake the bai shi ceremony and start training at this level.
This is easy enough.
You simply need to meet the qualifying criteria, undertake the bai shi ceremony and start training at this level.
Friday
Quietude
A taijiquan person does not seek success and recognition. They have no use for such things.
Life is complex enough and riddled with hardships without inviting the scrutiny of others or indulging our own weaknesses and vanities.
The simple life is the preferred one. No fuss. No bother. No fame. No authority.
We do not live such a life because it is expected of us. That would be false. A conceit.
The decision to be this way occurs naturally and spontaneously.
No other way would seem appropriate.
Life is complex enough and riddled with hardships without inviting the scrutiny of others or indulging our own weaknesses and vanities.
The simple life is the preferred one. No fuss. No bother. No fame. No authority.
We do not live such a life because it is expected of us. That would be false. A conceit.
The decision to be this way occurs naturally and spontaneously.
No other way would seem appropriate.
Thursday
100 day challenge
We encourage all students to commit to a daily regime for 100 days.
No days off. No respite. No lies. No excuses. Day after day after day of training.
This will lay the foundation.
After 100 days you should be fitter. The habit of training each day will be ingrained.
No days off. No respite. No lies. No excuses. Day after day after day of training.
This will lay the foundation.
After 100 days you should be fitter. The habit of training each day will be ingrained.
Wednesday
Power
Beginners focus upon gaining a basic familiarity with the exercises.
Intermediate students seek to improve their biomechanical efficiency in order to develop 'obvious power' (ming jing).
This stage of practice is all about coordinated movement: "square on the inside, round on the outside."
The student avoids locking their joints, tensing muscles, leaning, stooping and using force.
Experienced students study hidden power (an jing), making the movements smoother, more flowing and less overt.
Every exercise is infused with neigong.
An expert achieves refined power (hua jing) by doing most of their work internally.
Intermediate students seek to improve their biomechanical efficiency in order to develop 'obvious power' (ming jing).
This stage of practice is all about coordinated movement: "square on the inside, round on the outside."
The student avoids locking their joints, tensing muscles, leaning, stooping and using force.
Experienced students study hidden power (an jing), making the movements smoother, more flowing and less overt.
Every exercise is infused with neigong.
An expert achieves refined power (hua jing) by doing most of their work internally.
Tuesday
Monday
Kung fu in our school
Master Waller offers:
• Chin na
• Shuai jiao
• Baguazhang
• Taijiquan
• Hard qigong
• Self defence
• Neigong• Jing
• Weapons
• San sau
• San da
Students work through a detailed syllabus.
• Chin na
• Shuai jiao
• Baguazhang
• Taijiquan
• Hard qigong
• Self defence
• Neigong• Jing
• Weapons
• San sau
• San da
Students work through a detailed syllabus.
Sunday
Hard qigong
'Hard qigong' refers to qigong exercises that are martial in nature. They are specifically intended to augment the kung fu syllabus.
The main purpose of hard qigong is strength.
Unlike gym work or weight lifting, nothing is forced.
Many hard qigong exponents train this way in order to perform feats of strength and endurance. This is not really our focus.
The main purpose of hard qigong is strength.
Unlike gym work or weight lifting, nothing is forced.
Many hard qigong exponents train this way in order to perform feats of strength and endurance. This is not really our focus.
Saturday
Friday
What is kung fu?
Chinese martial arts are commonly referred to as 'kung fu'.
Kung fu (or gong fu) literally means hard work, time, skill.
More specifically: combat skill.
Kung fu (or gong fu) literally means hard work, time, skill.
More specifically: combat skill.
Thursday
Wednesday
Is it really internal?
Studying taijiquan or baguazhang does not make a student an 'internal' martial artist.
It all depends on how you train the art.
It is possible (and common) to perform the martial art 'externally'.
Also, most taijiquan classes are 'tai chi for health' and therefore not an internal martial arts class at all.
It all depends on how you train the art.
It is possible (and common) to perform the martial art 'externally'.
Also, most taijiquan classes are 'tai chi for health' and therefore not an internal martial arts class at all.
Ming jing
Intermediate students must work towards acquiring 'ming
jing' - obvious power.
Requirements:
• Some degree of exaggerated, large movement
• Connection through the back
• Rotation of the axis
• Large waist turns
• Distinct weight shifts
• Remain balanced at all times
• Take the balance
• Do not strike a rooted body
• Keep the muscles soft (relaxed)
Be very careful not to use muscle tension (contraction), locked joints, disconnected arms or force against force.
Requirements:
• Some degree of exaggerated, large movement
• Connection through the back
• Rotation of the axis
• Large waist turns
• Distinct weight shifts
• Remain balanced at all times
• Take the balance
• Do not strike a rooted body
• Keep the muscles soft (relaxed)
Be very careful not to use muscle tension (contraction), locked joints, disconnected arms or force against force.
Tuesday
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