I like to post another article of my Sifu (George Thomas) which I like the most. During my school days when I was learning Karate I thought martial art is just for self defense/sports but never tried to explore it’s spiritual and philosophical aspect. But after I joined Fu Sheng Yuan Tai chi Academy – India Chapter and started learning tai chi, my view on martial art has changed completely. I feel the content and benefits of this great art.

Taichi is not just a martial art or an exercise. Basically there are two ways involved i.e Tao which binds us with the emptiness of the cosmoses and Taichi “super ultimate fist” the way of nature. It’s not easy to explain the benefits of taichi in words. It must be felt. Who can explain the taste of a sweet unless it is really tasted? So is Tai chi ! You need to get involved and try it once in you life span to feel what Taichi really is.

I can definitely say that I have not missed the bus now!

During our childhood days many of us would have loved to do different activities connected with sports and health like boxing, soccer, lawn tennis, track and field events like sprints, long jump, pole vault etc…. but for some reason or the other things did not work out the way we would have liked. After crossing a certain age one feels it is too late to do these things. One such activity is Martial Arts.

Learning Martial Arts when one is a teenager and when you cross 40, 50 or maybe 60 yrs is not the same, it makes a lot of difference. You can still learn but how effective is it going to be or what will the end result be. Most of the people say “only if I had the time” or “only if I had the support” etc. The general feeling is that they have lost the opportunity to learn or practice Martial Arts, like one has missed the bus.

Tai chi is one Martial Art which will help you to catch the bus again, the bus which you thought you missed. Yes the soft form of Tai chi which is slow and subtle gives one the same effect of the hard form of Martial arts for the body, both internal and the external. Along with this it also works on the mind calming it and strengthening it. When this soft form is practiced for about 4 to 5 years along with some conditioning exercise and with the applications the Master imparts to dedicated students, it can turn out to be a life saving Art. This may not impress those who watch you perform/practice but it does change the one who is sincerely practicing on a regular basis. It helps you to discover yourself, to understand your strength and weaknesses and in the process it helps you to understand your fellow living beings too.

With a history of over 5000 years, Tai Chi is an integral part of China’s traditional cultural heritage and its origin dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Tai Chi, the highest form of martial arts is a combination of physical exercise, breathing techniques and meditation, It’s slow, relaxed flowing movements of opening and closing forms, advance and retreat, attack and defence, channelises energy and the body’s natural movements to attain a high degree of fitness, both mental and physical. When you incorporate Tai Chi into your lifestyle, it exercises your body, cultivates your personality and refreshes your mind. Originally developed as martial art, Tai Chi looks like a slow graceful dance, but behind the deceptively simple movements is a wealth of Philosophy, Medicine and Science. Tai Chi is about balance and harmony. While practicing, you could be perspiring, your breathing will be deep and slow and your pulse rate remains normal and at the end of it, you feel more energetic. The continuous flowing movements of Tai Chi are based on the principle that running water never stagnates. It relaxes your muscles and joints while strengthening your body from the inside. Through movements and meditation, Tai Chi ensures you robust physical health and peace of mind. It does wonders for people who are stressed. It uses calming, structured movements to counteract the stress of everyday work pressures. It has achieved great results with some medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart diseases, spleen dysfunction, arthritis, backaches, posture problems, insomnia and breathing difficulties such as asthma among others. Tai Chi is a good way of assisting recovery and is used as a therapy by itself.

An opportunity to catch the missed bus too.

Read Also:
A Mindful Journey by Sifu George Thomas
Taichi Related Articles.

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Tai Chi

Where did I come from and where am I heading to…..this is a question many of us ask, especially those who have tasted a bit of Nirvana. This leads to the question what is Nirvana ? Let me caution you, this is my version with my own experience and you have the freedom to accept it or reject it.
During our life time, each and every one of us is given the opportunity to choose our destiny or journey on this planet. And in this journey, we face many ups and downs, some very good and some very bad too. We also take many lessons during this journey which help us to improve as a living being. Many a times we mess up with the way we live, which could be a lesson for others as to what not to do. Other times we live a good and truthful life where this could also be a lesson for others to follow. The most important lesson is to become conscious of our life, moment after moment in awareness. Human beings have discovered many ways to move from the mind to the consciousness and from consciousness to awareness, in other words “Witnessing ourselves”.
We have understood, as a living being that we have a body and a mind. In order to keep our body fit we exercise and make sure the internal/external body is taken care. And to calm the mind there are various meditation techniques at our disposal.
Yang Family Tai chi is an ancient Martial Art, A Moving Meditation which is now practiced in a gentle pace to suit people of all ages and gender. This Art is so effortless that with regular practice of about 21 minutes everyday, it tunes and makes your body flexible. It tones up the muscles, strengthens the bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. It harnesses the Chi (prana) and channelises it to areas where it was not reaching before, rejuvenating the internal organs and all vital energy centers inside our body. Along with this, our thoughts which are constantly in the past or in the future are gradually cut down and the mind stills, allowing you to travel through the consciousness and finally to the awareness state. This is a state of witnessing oneself, “A Mindful Journey” which starts with the practice of Tai chi but continues to go on beyond our life on this planet and to the blissful state or “Nirvana” and finally evolve with the almighty from where we originally came from.

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Tai Chi

1. Hold The Head Straight With Ease
The head should be erect in order for the spirit to rise. If force is
used, the back of the neck will be stiff, and the circulation of blood
and chi will be impeded. There should be a natural, light and
sensitive feeling. If not, the spirit will be unable to rise up.
In order to achieve the above, it is important that the neck is held
straight, but very relaxed and alive. Keep your mouth natural with the
tongue touching the upper palate. Avoid clenching your teeth or gazing
out with an angry look. Keep your sacrum straight and slightly tucked
under. If not, your spine will be affected, and your spirit will not
be able to rise.

2. Sink the Chest and Raise the Back
There should be a slight drawing in of the chest which allows the chi
to sink to the “Dan Tian”. Avoid protruding the chest as this will
cause the chi to rise which will lead to top heaviness, and the soles
of the feet to float.
Raising the back means that the chi adheres to the back. If you can
sink your chest, your back will naturally rise. If you can raise your
back, your power will come from your spine enabling you to overcome
any opponent.
Sink the chest and raise the back are similar to when a cat is in
readiness to launch an attack on its prey.

3. Relax the Waist
The waist is the commander of the body. If the waist is relaxed and
loosened, the foundation, that is, your legs will be stable, enabling
you to issue power. Changes in solid and empty derive from the moving
of the waist. It is said that “the waist is the well spring of your
vital energy”. If you lack power in your movements, look for the
weakness in your waist and legs.

4. Distinguishing Solid and Empty
Distinguishing solid and empty is a fundamental principle of Tai Chi.
If your body centre rests in your right leg, then your right is solid,
and your left leg is empty. If your body centre rests in your left
leg, then your left leg is solid, and your right leg is empty. When
you can clearly make this distinction, your movements will be light,
agile, and effortless. If not, your steps will be heavy and clumsy,
and you are easily unbalanced due to the instability of your stance.
The philosophy of Yin Yang is the underlying principle of change in
stepping.

5. Sink the Shoulders and Elbows
The shoulders should relax and hang downwards. If the shoulders are
raised, then the chi rises, and the whole body cannot summon up its
power.
The elbows must relax and point downwards. If the elbows are raised,
the shoulders will become tense, inhibiting your ability to discharge
your opponent to any great distance. Raising the elbows or shoulders
is similar to breaking the jin which occurs in the external martial
art systems.

6. Use the Mind and not Brute Force
According to the Tai Chi Classics, you use the mind and not brute
force. In practice, your whole body is relaxed; not even using an
ounce of brute force. If you employ brute force, you restrict the flow
of energy through your sinews, bones, and blood vessels. This will
inhibit your freedom of movement, preventing you from achieveing
agility, sensitivity, aliveness, circularity, and naturalness.
“How can you have power without using brute force?” By making us of
the meridians in the body. (Meridians are a network of pathways which
transport chi throughout the body. They connect the superficial,
interior, upper and lower portions of the human body, making the body
an organic whole). The meridians are similar to the rivers and streams
of the earth. If the rivers are open, then the water flows freely. If
the meridians are open, then the chi flows. If the meridians are
blocked as a result of using stiff force, then the circulation of chi
and blood become sluggish. Hence, your movements will not be nimble,
and even if a hair is pulled, your whole body will be in a state of
disorder.
Although your abdomen is full and alive, there is no force being used.
For the chi to sink down to the Dan Tian slowly and naturally, the
mind needs to be relaxed. By deeply relaxing while performing your Tai
Chi movements, your chi will move freely to every part of your body.
This will benefit the body greatly. On the other hand, if you tense
your mind and forcefully try to move your chi, or use unnatural
methods to circulate the chi, it is more than likely that blockages
will occur which are harmful to your health.
When you are able to use your mind and not brute force, then wherever
your mind goes, your chi follows. After a long period of practice and
chi circulating freely everyday, you develop jin (an internal power
which is different from hard force). This is what the Tai Chi Classics
means by “from true softness comes true hardness”. The arms of one who has Tai Chi kung fu will feel extremely heavy; like steel wrapped in
cotton. People who practise external martial art systems look strong
when they exert hard force. However, when they are not bringing their
hard force into use, they are light and floating. You can see that
this merely a superficial kind of strength. Instead of using the mind,
they use brute force, which makes them easy to manipulate. Hence not
worthy of praise.

7. Coordinate your Upper and Lower Body
According to the Tai Chi Classics, “the root is in the feet; issued
through the legs; controlled by the waist; and expressed through the
fingers. From the feet through the legs to the waist forms one
harmonious chi.” When the hands, waist, and feet move, your gaze needs to follow in unison. This is what is meant by harmony of the upper and lower body. If one part of the body is not in concordance with the rest, it will result in chaos.
When you first learn Tai Chi, your movements are larger and more open
than those of a seasoned practitioner. The larger movements ensure
that your waist and legs are moving in concordance, and all parts of
the body are in harmony.

8. Unify your Internal and External
Tai Chi trains the spirit. It is said that “the spirit is the leader
and the body follows its command”. If you can lift your spirit, then
your movements will naturally be agile and alive. Postures are nothing
more than solid and empty, opening and closing. Opening does not just
involve the hands and feet, but they must work in concordance with the
opening of the heart/mind. Closing does not just concern the hands and
feet, but they should coordinate with the closing of the heart/mind as
well. When the internal and external are unified as one harmonious
chi, then there are no gaps anywhere.
The heart/spirit is like a concealed sword. From the outside, your
practice has the appearance of being relaxed and comfortable, but on
the inside, your heart/spirit is concentrated and sharp as a sword.

9. Continuity – No Stopping
The external martial art systems employ brute force which is stiff and
unnatural. This force stops and starts; moves in a jerky fashion. When
the old force is finished before the new one has begun, this is the
time when one is most vulnerable to attacks. In Tai Chi, you use the
mind and not brute force. From the beginning to the end, the movements
are continuous without stopping; like an endless circle. This is what
the Classics means by “a great river flowing continuously never
ending”, or “moving the jin like reeling silk from a cocoon”. The
above conveys the idea of stringing the movements together into one
harmonious chi.
If your movements stop and start, you will be easily taken advantage
of by your opponent because you have exhausted your old strength, and the new power is not yet born.

10. Seek Serenity in Activity
The external martial art systems consider leaping and crouching to be
of value. They exhaust their energy and after practice, they are out
of breath. Tai Chi uses serenity to counter activity. Even when you
are moving, you remain tranquil. When practising the postures, the
slower you move, the better the result. Slowness enables your breath
to become deep and long with the chi sinking to the Dan Tian. This
will naturally prevent the pulse rate from elevating. Students of Tai
Chi should think deeply on the above in order to grasp its meaning.
It is important to practise the movements slowly, so that you can
understand the meaning within the movements. Practising slowly helps
to regulate your breathing enabling your breath to become deep and
long allowing your chi to sink to the Dan Tian. Practising in this
manner also prevents the fault of top heaviness which is caused by the
chi rising up.

Note: Narrated by Yang Cheng Fu, recorded by Chen Wei Ming and
expanded upon by Fu Sheng Yuan

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Tai Chi

Again a busy month I am sorry that I cant write more this month also. But some of my readers really like the Buddha song/chat collection.

To be honest I am not believe in chants. I have read something like “Buddha told that ‘there is no power in my words or in my sutras unless they are bring practical in once life.” Its so true that the Buddhism is so practical teaching. Soon planning to write about Vipassana. Check it out

The N?laka??ha Dh?ran?also known as Mah? Karu?? Dh?ran? , popularly known as the Great Compassion Mantra in English, and known as the Dàb?i Zhòu (???) in Mandarin Chinese, is a dharani of Mahayana Buddhist origin. It was spoken by the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara before an assembly of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, devas and kings, according to the Mahakarunikacitta Sutra. Like the now popular six-syllable mantra, it is a popular mantra synonymous with Avalokitesvara in East Asia. It is often used for protection or purification. – Wikipedia.

Nilakantha Dharani (Great compassionate mantra) by Imee Ooi

Namo Ratna Trayaya
Namah Arya Avalokitesvaraya
Bodhisattvaya
Mahasattvaya
Mahakarunikaya
Sarva Bandhana
Chedana Karaya
Sarva Bhava Samudram
Sosana Karana
Sarva Vyadhi
Prasamana Karaya
Sarva Mrtyu Upa-Drava
Viansana Karana
Sarva Bhaye
Su Trana Karaya
Tasmat Namas Krtva Idam
Arya Avalokitesvara
Bhastinam Nilakantha
Pi Nama Hrdayam
Avarta Isyami
Sarvartha-sadhanam
Subham Ajeyam
Sarva Bhutanam
Bhava Marga
Visuddhakam
Tadyatha Om
Aloke Aloka-mati
Lokati Krante He
Hare Arya Avalokitesvara
Maha bodhisattva
He Boddhisattva
He Maha bodhisattva
He Virya Bodhisattva
He Mahakarunika
Smara Hradayam
Hi Hi
Hare Arya Avalokitesvara
Mahesvara Parama
Maitra-Citta
Mahakarunika
Kuru Kuru Karman
Sadhaya Sadhaya
Vidyam
Ni Hi Ni Hi
Varnam Kamam-Game
Vitta-Kama Vigama
Siddha Yogesvara
Dhuru Dhuru Viryanti
Maha Viryanti
Dhara Dhara Dharendresvara
Cala Cala Vimala
Amala Murte
Arya Avalokitesvara
Jina Krsna Jata-Makuta Valam
Ma Pra-Lamba
Maha Siddha Vidya dhara
Vara Vara Maha Vara
Bala Bala Maha Bala
Cala Cala Maha Cala
Krsna-Varna Nigha
Krsna Paksa Nirghatana
He Padma-Hasta
Cara Cara Desa
Caresvara
Krsna Sarpa Krta Yajnopavita
Ehyehi Maha
Varaha-Mukha
Tripura-Dahanesvara
Narayana
Va Rupa
Vara Marga Ari
He Nilakantha
He Mahakara
Hala hala Visa
Nir-jita Lokasya
Raga Visa Vinasana
Dvesa Visa Vinasana
Moha Visa Vinasana
Huru Huru Mala
Huru Huru Hare
Maha Padmanabha
Sara Sara
Sri Sri
Suru Suru
Bhu ruc Bhu ruc
Buddhaya Buddhaya
Boddhaya Boddhaya
Maitri Nilakantha
Ehyehi Vama
Shitha Simha-Mukha
Hasa Hasa
Munca Munca
Mahattahasam
Ehiyehi Pa
Maha Siddha Yogesvara
Bhana Bhana Vaco
Sadhaya Sadhaya Vidyam.
Smara Smaratam
Bhagavantam Lokita
Vilokitam Lokesvaram
Tathagatam
Dadahi Me
Drasana Kamasya
Darsanam Pra-
Hia daya Mana Svaha
Siddhaya Svaha
Maha Siddhaya Svaha
Siddha Yogesvaraya Svaha
Nilakanthaya Svaha
Varaha-Mukhaya Svaha
Maha-dara Simha-Mukhaya Svaha
Siddha Vidyadharaya Svaha
Padma-Hastaya Svaha
Krsna-Sarpa Krta Yajno pavitaya Svaha
Maha Lakuta daharaya Svaha
Cakra yuddhaya Svaha
Sankha-Sabdani Bodhanaya Svaha
Vama Skandha desa Shitha Krsna jinaya Svaha
Vyaghra-Carma Nivasa naya Svaha
Lokesvaraya Svaha
Sarva Siddhesvaraya Svaha
Namo Bhagavate
Arya Avalokitesvaraya
Bodhisattvaya
Mahasattvaya
Mahakarunikaya
Sidhyanthu Me
Mantra-Padaya Svaha

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general

Buddhism inspired me so much as the Hinduism. Thought I am not a Buddhism I regularly read the philosophy of Buddha.

Thinking of posting a quick article, here I am embedding a nice Buddhist sutra. It originated from Mahayana Buddhism. Spoken by Avalokitesvara before an assembly of Buddhas,t he Sutra is Mahakarunikacitta Sutra and the mantra is called in many different names as follows N?laka??ha Dh?ran? or Mah? Karu?? Dh?ran? in sanskrit, Great Compassion Mantra in English and Dàb?i Zhòu Mandarin Chinese.

I like the first video so much. The dance is really nice. If anyone know about the dance please write something on the dance.

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Buddhism

Very nice story. I like so much.

Let me know what is there in your Jar .

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things – family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else –The small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ He continued,
there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So…

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

‘Take care of the golf balls first –
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
‘I’m glad you asked’.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.’

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