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Time for aCHIevement - Tony Hamilton |
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 aCHIevement
Some time later at a different Tai Chi School I despondently gave it away. Little progress to show for 18 months of endeavour. So much for the dream of fitness, self defence skill and personal development. So much for learning a life discipline for the rest of my life.
Fast forward a couple of years to a half-hearted new start at the Celestial Tai Chi College, and the true journey begins - with passion. For me this is a remarkable school. Offering a space…just to be. Offering a context – for a glimpse of part of my future well-being should I choose. And a context for my sense of place – for Tai Chi is big, with a long history. Much greater than I. The sweetest words of class day, is Mario’s dictum: “Forget
the stress and events of your day – whatever events have happened – are passed ”. Be totally here, its Chi time.
But central to my context theme is the chi in aCHIevement. This time in 18 months I have explored levels 1-6; re-visited 24 form; been exposed to 42 form and shibashi levels 1-3, and am currently undertaking a serious assault on the fan. I have stood in a park many times, and at the beach. But now I experience them in a totally different awareness. The format of structured progress ensures I do indeed achieve.
Now of course the privilege of Master Yang’s visit for a term introduces a new context. Once again I have the pleasure of unexpected further achievement. A broadening understanding of Tai Chi and a new skill – learning Tai Chi Chen. Having listened to our own Master talk about Tai Chi, and the importance of the Chen form and village in Tai Chi history, makes Master Yang’s presence all the more significant to me. Not to mention his own somewhat remarkable history. His visit re-inforces the universality of the art – that it transcends language and barriers.
So now Tai Chi is for the rest of my life. The nature of its presence and impact to continue unfolding, but this time the journey is for real and very satisfying. To gather the Chi, is to gather my soul. To get in a zone.
Tony Hamilton ( Doncaster Centre) |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 15 February 2008 )
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