Chi ... the divine essence of life.

Chi in Chinese culture is akin to divine force, unseen, endless, mystical, fathomless, without a beginning or logic and unable to be controlled by force.
In western terms it could be termed life force, ether in Greek
History.

The study of Chi has been integral to the study of the martial arts, medicine and philosophy since ancient times. What is Chi ? It is that divine essence which gives life to all living things. In India the yogic teachings call it Prana and in Japan it is Ki. It is such an important part of any study of the Asian arts that it would be virtually impossible to learn Tai Chi, Aikido, Judo, Chi Kung, Acupuncture, Shiatsu etc...proficiently without a solid understanding of the life force and its nature. The exact meaning of Chi when translated into English is elusive but the closest we get is energy. 

 Balanced Chi

The whole universe is Chi and the nature of life rests on the presence of this vital essence. Chi is the 'stuff of the universal movement' and without it we have death. It is not able to be seen but we can somehow measure it by its actions. For example when a person in Chinese medicine is diagnosed as being angry the doctor will say the person has stagnant chi or if they are very weak they have deficient chi. When we meet a Tai Chi Sifu (holder of the universal truth) we often recognize the level of his or her chi by the glow of their complexion. The face and skin radiate an peaceful aura. The power of Aikido Sensei (teacher) can be measured by the power in their projection of their partner, their agility and the atmosphere in the dojo. A great teacher creates great calm wherever he or she is and effects others with this presence of peace.

 The flow of Chi

In Chinese medicine, shiatsu and acupressure the Chi is charted and drawn to flow in channels of energy throughout the internal organs and limbs. When there is health there is a steady flow of Chi circulating within the human organism feeding from one organ to another, up and down the body. This endless flow of chi is similar to the ebb and flow of the seasons from summer thru to spring and our body is believed to be like a miniature universe with its water, (over 70% of the body) fire, (body heat) air, ( breath) When a person falls ill then the Chi in an organ is low or excessive and the job of the healer is to balance the flow of Chi. For example when we have a fever we have excessive yang Chi in the body (although this is a simplistic example) The doctor would prescribe rest and give some cooling yin type herbs that would calm the spirit and the organ which is over-active.



 Chi as graceful movement 

If we look at movement we can see a balance of chi in the flow and smoothness of the Tai Chi player. The mind is restful so the spirit is calm, then the chi in the body will flow through the muscles and sinews fluidly and easily. If a person is not balanced in their movement then the chi is not centered in the centre of the body called the Hara in Japanese.

In Shiatsu pressure point massage the healer visualizes the chi in their centre as a preparation meditation before a session of Ki healing. In Aikido the free flowing postures work on opening up our hara of body centre to a more vigorous chi. When we breath easily the mind is calm and body motion is harmonious. The dynamic flow of an Aikido sensei with their circulating and graceful motion is a reflection of years and years of chi refinement and centering of the chi in the hara (Below the navel.) 

 Breath of the universe

In Yoga various breathing exercises are used to harness the prana or chi in the body. These pranayama exercises circulate the prana to various locations, help unlock stored energy which needs releasing and calms the mind as the practitioner concentrates on the breath. In China and India some people are given breath exercises and herbs to cure various diseases including ulcers, asthma, chronic insomnia, high blood pressure... 

Chi is able to be transmitted by sound and this is called Kiai in Japanese. It is used in martial arts to defeat an opponent without even touching the body by a master. In India sacred mantra are believed to be able to unlock blocked chi in the body/mind and draw in chi from the universe to increase health and peace of mind. These mantras are chanted in temples all over India and Asia daily and are becoming a regular part of many western followers of the Buddhist path and various Hindu groups. In Chi Kung practice certain sounds are used to cleanse the organs as one breathes and moves the body. The sound for the water organ is WOO like a groaning noise. In the parks in Hong Kong and China you often hear the students making these sounds as they practice early in the morning.

Chi is certainly an interesting phenomena and the Chinese say the study of Chi is the study of life... for as long as you live. (To be continued )



 Tai Chi and Daily Life
Tai Chi is the essence of all life. It is the origin of all life, it is that which is before and after all living things hence it is the origin of our universe as we know it and that which we do not know. It is an idea which rests on a concept of unity and completeness.



Most people come to Tai Chi with much to give away, that is stress, ego, notions of perfection, ideal is, fear of living with themselves, fear of others, inferiority, and Tai Chi accepts all of these imperfections because it embraces all. It does not try to seek perfection so therefore is perfect so it does not ridicule humanity so therefore becomes one with all living beings. It is the essence of tolerance.

 
In your daily life Tai Chi comes alive. This is the most relevant place for the art of living for it is life itself. Look at life and what we see is that growth is slow into maturity so take things slowly and do not rush.

Everything has a beginning and an end so realize which is the beginning and go peacefully about the task without any immediate desire as to the outcome. This will ensure a peaceful complete finale. Also realize there is a middle and and end so when in the middle of a task...feel it look where it has come from and see into the distance where it is going. Are you on track, have the foundations set been solid and adequate ...if so proceed quietly. 



Everyday life rests on breath. Breath is the inhalation of the absolute essence of life...CHI...It is a divine substance which can only be felt by the body via heat trembling vibrations, movement of the mind, emotions, feelings of security, faith, love....It is a uniting force. Each day devote some time to breath and meditative action or silence so you can thank the universe for the breath of life. 

This is good for yourself and also sends a song to the universe of your sense of unity with everything...your faith in life and your sense of oneness with all that has been and will be. When you devote this meditation do not expect anything in return ...just give it whether it is in the form of your work, your silence etc... 

Have no desire except the one desire to not be demanding... Be free of your small petty self and feel the immediate liberated self ..... NOW. Find time to see the majestic, the magical.... listen to the song of the sunrise, the love of a flower, the sound of water in your local creek.... nature is the blueprint for Tai Chi.. It loves us and feeds us all the time unconditionally. 

 

 


This temple is Kota Hira a famous shrine dedicated to the God of the Seas located in Shikoku Island near our aikido dojo.

 'Aikido' ; The warriors way to enlightenment
writer; Gerard Menzel
Aikido translates from Japanese as 'the way of harmonious spirit'. It is interestingly quite different from other martial arts in that it teaches peace rather than aggressiveness. The self defense aspect which is extremely powerful relies on sensitivity, timing, and the development of technique and internal energy called 'Ki'.
Aikido can be viewed as a study in Ki or vital spirit. It is that vital essence which pervades every living thing. 
 


The ancient yogi's called it Prana and the Chinese Chi. We in the west have had a more anatomical view of ourselves and the closest we have come to this understanding is in the ancient Mediterranean cultures with the concept of 'body humours. In Aikido the founder Mr Morihei Ueshiba created an art with which to discover your physical potential and its limitations, the way to blend with other people in a harmonious way free of tension and competition and a way to find your true self, an enlightened self. 

 

 What makes Aikido so unique ?
It allows you to live in a violent world free of fear and tension. It is both a martial art which can be practiced in a powerful way and in a soft fashion. The student never actually hits, kicks or punches another student. When seen the art can appear extremely devastating or very elegantly graceful and inoffensive, depending on the feeling and experience of the people. It can be experienced at any age level and be a benefit to all according to one's ability and needs. It is totally without competition, without tournaments and grading is a choice. Women are attracted to the art because there is no need for strength and learn naturally to yield . The basics of the art have been developed into different styles after the founder passed away.

Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido developed the art from the ancient traditions of Japanese Budo the ancient warrior code. He felt that Budo rather than being a brutal way was rather a philosophy of harmony and peace which stood to serve humanity by protecting and preserving all living things.

The founders son says;' Budo is to be realized in the quest for perfection as a human being, both in mind and body... and through constant training the individual Ki merges with the universal Ki of the cosmos'. 

 Aikido and Japanese culture
Picture Nikko Menzel 5 years using kokyu nage on dad!

Aikido for kids


Seen in the context of Japanese culture it has the most beautiful of characteristics which set apart this unique oriental people. It has discipline in the hard and constant training, and grace to be witnessed in the agility and roundness of the movements, it is peaceful and intent on focusing the individual, it has tradition and ritual inherent in the way of bowing and the spiritual unfolding of a class. 

These characteristics can be seen in other Japanese arts known as the Zen arts; ikebana, kyudo, bonsai (flower arrangement, archery, miniature trees). Primarily aikido focuses on training the individual to realize his or her full potential. 

If we look at the need to survive in this world full of competitive domination of nature and beings then it would seem that Mr Ueshibas' vision of a peaceful art which would bring people of all races together in harmony seems timely in this day and age.



 

 



Yoga Service and attitude
Once the parameters of Yoga practice and the goals are understood by an aspirant there may be a chance to pass these ideas and actions on to others. One ought not to seek out to convert others to the Yoga path for this would be tantamount to arrogance. Only when persons come to you and ask for help then one is in a fitting position to give advice. One may choose to set up a formal class or practice Yoga privately day by day. 

In any case there ought not to be any visible difference in either person. The Yoga specialist who takes the high moral ground to life is asking for trouble, the one who dresses in fine ''spiritual attire'' is most likely a fraud. There are exceptions of course. To be true to the Yogic path is to give service to others and be humble. The attitude of a Yogic lifestyle is simple, modest, truthful, kind and loving. The Yogi path with service and love is one which will bring positive karma and rebirth. 



The direction of the student/teacher is this;

to give teaching without the student knowing and to blend into the environment like a fish in water.

The goal of the path is to find love inside and outside, in oneself and in others, in simple things and the obtuse and in the sacred and mundane.



The attitude of a Yogi is to have an open mind and to seek the new in the old and to always to be a student. Reality is in the moment and knowledge is in being rather than knowing. One must not rely on the on the mind for it is easily fooled and influenced by emotions and the ego. Yoga is to go beyond the mind into the unknown, the indescribable and the area of consciousness where there are no boundaries, time, and form.

 Asanas
Classical asanas - can prepare the mind and body for the setting of concentration by removing the toxins from the body and mind. They can be a building frame for the final assault - to the self .....as the breath is balanced and charged with prana, the body is made steady and centered as it sits on the ground and absorbs the earth mothers loving prana into the lower organs,, skin, bones. 

The body is relaxed in order to allow the prana to flow from the lower to the higher chakras. The pranamaya vayu is opened and the heart awakened to feelings of love devotion. Classical asanas work on certain chakras, koshas, vayus and fit into a complex system designed to purify the body of divine light. This temple of divine light is placed in a series of physical rebirths and the yogi realizes the practice of sadhana is to burn karma via different acts of faith / service- tapas kriyas, pooja, pranayam, seva.

 Gerard on : Siddhis 

The Siddhis or Power for my personal life now are not something which I aspire to. I gladly have gone thru my youthful days when I thought yoga was about magical powers and being able to do the things which Lobsang Rampa tells in his stories of Tibet. These stories are interesting but do not directly help me in my everyday duties as a householder in Adelaide. The present moment and the duties that go with that moment are important to my evolution. I have met gurus with powers and I know they exist and can be useful and I also know that they can be dangerous to the fool who is ego centered. The greatest power is God and Love. That is the goal and the origin of the journey, the alpha and the omega. 



My Baba (friend / teacher) said that people always want to see powers from others like when Jesus was alive. In the case of Jesus even though he did many miracles Thomas was still doubting Gods greatness. People must have greater faith in God rather than being impressed by what their eyes can or cannot see. Even a magician like Yuri Geller can impress people but has such a magician like the great Hudini been able to change the hearts and minds of the downtrodden the poor and the tortured and lonely and lift them toward joy. No. A real Guru / Buddha / sage can produce joy peace, and happiness and that is a sign of realized Samadhi or enlightenment.



As a human being one must realize that a persons evolution takes time, not days, or years of tens of years but thousands of rebirths to reach a high stage of enlightenment. Seeking some short term kundalini experience will not only damage ones body and mind but a chance to see the real nature of our place on this earth. 



The test is not to be attracted to substance or form. When one understands the nature of matter and anti-matter then both are from the one source. Matter decays into nothing and all form arose from the void, big bang, Tao or God ( whatevver you believe in) A real Yogi realizes that form is non form and non form is form as the Buddha said in the Shugyo sutra treatise on the prajnaparamita. We in the west are fixated by form and power and therefore the part of yoga which many aspire to is merely physical and worldly. This is understandable due to our immaturity. If we evolve past this superficial layer we meet the inner realm of Love, Tao, Bhuddha-nature, Christ . That quality is beyond the mind which evaluates and is impressed upon. It is non mind Wu Chi or equipoise, Samyama where here is there and there is here. This is Buddha mind or bodhi where all is one, free of desire and delusion.






Picture Baba Virsah Singh from Delhi our teacher
www.gobindsadan.org
 Day one in Delhi : Tour 1997

''The first impressions stick with you. When you start well you end well''

Our small band of travelers landed in Delhi international and the throngs of taxi drivers were milling around. We expected to have a pick -up there but we were a little later than expected so the driver lost patience and moved on. We were 2 hours late and while 2 hours in India is not a long time, but in Delhi things move more vigorously. Our band of Aussie tearaways had taken time being photographed at the 50 years independence memorial at the airport and then changed travelers cheques at the bank. There were a number of them and time seemed to drip away as we plodded with our knapsacks from one counter to the other. 



Finally we boarded a taxi after purchasing a prepaid ticket at the both which ensures one price agreed upon and one only. On the road to our destination which was the farm of a well known meditation teacher in Delhi Gobind Sadan we stopped off and decided to purchase some mineral water which is like liquid gold to the foreign travelers in India. This treasure in a plastic bottle ensures one does not have to endure the local water and flirt with Delhi belly. It is such a precious item that at the farm they buy it in carton loads.



At the roadside market the taxi drive called Mukesh assured us that this was the right place to buy barfi (a local sweet) and water. The travelers were slow to leave their bags in the car and let the driver wait so we asked on of the crew to wait behind and to guard our belongings. In the small group of shops with produce sprawling onto the pavement there was a milk seller, a general store, a cloth shop, a fruit and vegetable store and a sweet meats vendor. The smells from the area were delightful as the smell of burning incense, fresh fruit, sweets, human sweat, dung and dust mixed in the air. In India the taste and olfactory senses are massaged and spoiled while in the west we have tended to subject our common environs with a clinical mundane banality which has killed our ability to delight in the senses.



I thought this was a good time to introduce the girls in our group to the luscious multicolored sweets. Indian deserts are an art form in themselves. They were all presented in little trays in a cabinet. There were triangle sweets with rich honey centres decorated in blue colour and, beautiful white squares with coconut filling, round balls with sugar coating dunked in a rich sugar cane topping called gulab jamun and there were exquisitely cut squares with gold and silver edging around them. If eyes are your first way of tasting the sensations of the mouth then the Indians have the art of presentation and gastronomic allurement down to a tee.



I said to my friends come and try one of the sweets. You can buy them in 50, 100 grams and so on. The vendor was dressed in a white shirt with a cheesy grin and oily black hair. He was clearly happy and surprised to see that some international travelers were buying from his shop and giving it prestige. ''How much would you like'' he said and I said '' we would like 50 grams of this and this and that.'' He was most helpful cheery and carefully weighed each little bag of sweet milk, cream, sugar, honey and spice laden sweets and presented them to us. We fumble with our newly changed currency and paid. The atmosphere in the small market was relaxed, easygoing and a mixture of chaos and organization.



Our girls savored the sweets in the car as be sped to our destination flanked by bullock carts, Brahmin cow, mangy dogs, pigs, 3 wheeled vehicles carrying everything from bamboo poles to erect a tent - to human cargo. The roads were sealed but everywhere there seemed to be dust and people. The traffic was not so hectic but on each corner there was none or very little observance of lights, hand signals, blinkers and road rules. It was operating and functioning in a way of its own as if there was a magical puppet above in the sky moving each vehicle in one direction and the other seeing that nobody collided.



We finally found our destination about 40 minutes later after traveling through a series of small sealed roads on the outskirts of Delhi about 90 minutes from the centre of town. This was the opulent part of the city where rich villas and farmlets dotted the gently undulating land where high wall and gatemen watch around the clock at the gates protecting the crops and animals in the compounds. Many of the people in the area are wealthy, professionals who have their farmlets as a hideaway from the rustle and bustle of the city with names at the front entrance like Patanjalis Palace, Meeras Garden, Gita estate, Macavoy Farm. Indians have a way to be poetic and innocent in all that they do and these personal names reflect a vision to create a haven of rest and tranquility which many have succeeded in doing. However this is not the India which one reads about or pictures in the west. An India of the rich and opulent is not what we are fed in our media. It is hard to change old impressions. Remember this is the land of the once prosperous Maharajas whose princely grandeur became famous all around the world during the time of the British Raj.



Our Dusty black and gold taxi rambled down tree lined groves with high walls shadowed from the hot but fading evening sun. Our friends remarked, ''This is not the India we envisioned''. I retorted, "India has many things to offer, she will always surprise you."



Our aim in staying on this farmlet of 120 people managed by a spiritual teacher and farm head named Baba Virsah Singh was to rest and feel our way into the ways of India before we embarked on our 21 days of train traveling on Indian rail first class and to meet the friendly people at the farm, learn some of their relaxation practices and participate in some of their rituals.



We were shown our quarters made into the traditional Indian design of a square among the fields and trees 5 min. from the centre of the farm where there is a spiritual fire called a haven which burns 24 hours a day 364 day a year. The rooms were furbished with shower and fresh linen.. It was cool and there was a bar heater warming each room. The courtyard had a newly sewn lawn a beautiful old tree which had seats beneath it to sit under and some flower beds nearby. After washing and resting we were called over to come and sit in to a talk given by the spiritual head of the community called Baba for one of the Russian families which lease a house there had a birthday to celebrate. On the farm anything is good to celebrate and it is a good excuse to get together and listen to the gentle words of Baba Virsah Singh. Our group rubbed shoulders with Russians and Americans as Baba (baba means mentor or friend) as he is affectionately known talked on various topics including how to take care of our mind and how to deal with suffering which everyone experiences from time to time. He is a practical man like most Punjabis which is his social group. The Punjab is the bread basket of India, rich, earthy and successful.

Picture;Gerard at the sacred Bodhi tree Bodhgaya India 1997





Baba is a towering figure of a man, big in every way, and he has an affectionate smile which is totally contagious. He began the farm over 20 years ago from barren soil and dug wells to bring life to the crops. From this time on the farm has flourished. People come to work and offer their time in exchange for support, consultation and spiritual guidance. There are also full time paid personnel. The farm is self sufficient and does not charge meal or accommodation fees although the custom is to give some donation... They have cows to provide milk, gardens with vegetables with crops.. Many people pitch in and do some work in exchange for lodging a few days there from shelling peas to digging flower beds. 



The atmosphere in the room with Baba is warm and full of love. He sits on a white and gold pillow laden platform crossed legged with a flowing white beard and tonight he wears a bright orange shirt which goes down to his ankles and a red turban. He looks like a king and this could be India 500 years ago in the time of the maharajas. People ask him questions and he answers them carefully and politely. The gist of his message is that we are all one people who share this gift laden earth with enough to feed and cloth everyone but we have to learn to share the gifts of that earth. The different prophets who have come over the centuries say the same thing...be kind to each other, don't hurt your neighbor or judge others if they are different but think of them as one family under one earth mother and work to protect the earth and all beings who live on it.



. The Russians have the floor for some time and he suggests how with enterprise incentives in Russia the down trodden there will see the benefit of working hard and rebuilding a nation. It is hard to believe but this saintly man who can not even read and write is visited by doctors, lawyers and politicians even ex -prime ministers for counsel. 

Such is the vision and power of a man who has proved himself successful on an economic, personal, and spiritual level. 



The time flies and it is 10 o clock and our group wanders out of this little room in the central compound of the farm past the ritual fire where people are sitting peacefully meditating, to our quarters. We are still drifting on a cloud - like high charged with positive feelings of energy and vibrancy which surrounds the environs and charismatic aura of Baba Virsah Singh and Gobind Sadan. The first day set us off on our merry way around India by train with a positive effervescing, bubbles of joy for life and a clarity for being practical and intelligent in our dealings in the future based on honesty.

Writer - Gerard

 

 

A Journey to the Three Gorges

 

We set out on an outbound flight to Hong Kong from Adelaide South Australia in November, (my son who persuaded his school principle of the values of traveling and performed a high class sort of truancy) a friend and I.

 

Our destination was the three Gorges region on the Yellow River in the middle of China.  We were prepared with a lonely planet guide which we borrowed from the local library and some travelers cheques and a few U.S. dollars.  We were prepared for cold weather of about 2 to 3 degrees.  We were not prepared for the biting winds which were to come on one of the most famous rivers of the world.

 

As we completed our 6-hour flight into Hong Kong we looked over into the seas around this peculiar port which historically was one of the treaty ports the Chinese set up to access outside goods from Europe.  From our cabin window we saw a plethora of skyscrapers jutting skyward, perched on the side of mountainsides together with barges and ancient junks moving like snails in the harbor.  We touched down and took the local shuttle bus into town to the ferry terminal.

 

At the terminal we boarded a hover-ferry bound for Macao. We found a cheap and suitably run down pensione (hostel) run by a cheerful Chinese woman in her 40’s. It was just 5 minutes from the centre of the town square which was magnificently designed in 16th century Portuguese colonial architecture.  The grand buildings of imperial Europe rubbed shoulders with modern American styled franchise chains in this unique island of promenades, alleyways and opulent Catholic churches whose interiors resembled the upturned hull of a Portuguese man o war complete with golden treasures. 

 

During the next few days we attempted to retreat into time as we explored the kaleidoscope of streets leading to ancient churches, colonial merchant houses, Chinese gardens built by wealthy businessmen and Taoist temples with dragons and lions at the entrance.  One temple with tarnished pots and blackened walls on an unnamed back street was housed a sleepy attendant who snoozed in his chair unmoved by the intrusion of the bewildered westerners visiting this smoke filled dungeon -like house of worship.  There giant coils of incense burned around the clock year after year in homage to the forces of nature and the gods of Yin and Yang.  

 

The city island was a labyrinth of side streets leading to small gardens, alleys which unfolded upward along hilltops  and then into steep inclines with cobbled streets.  One magnificent garden was frequented daily by retired gentlemen and women  happy to pass the day chatting and playing cards in the bamboo groves under the sun.  Early in the morning and at dusk skilled players of Tai Chi  an ancient Chinese fitness, moving meditation cum martial

 

Macao has a distinct character in that it has a blend of European and Asian, churches and markets, local Macao Chinese language and Portuguese, ports with Asian junks and casinos.  It is a synthesis of cultural variety.

 

The following day we caught a local bus to the border of the sleeping giant that is China.  We crossed the bustling border  crowded with local traders laden with heavy bags full of booty crossing into China from Macao or the reverse.  At the other end of customs and their stern bitter faces we boarded a bus with the assistance of a cheerful Chinese 17 year old who was happy to practice her English and serve us coke.

The bus journey from the border to Canton was fast and furious.  Mile after mile we witnessed half built high rises apartments and buildings in the distant fields.   This was an emerging industrial and housing colony of mammoth proportions 

 

We arrived in Canton in the evening and  went to the train station instead of staying at one of the 10 story hotels which pierce the skyscape of Canton the southern capital of  Guangshuo the southern economic hub of China. We took a taxi to the train station in the night not knowing anything of the city, save the address of the station.  In my travel book I was warned that the pick pockets at the station were everywhere.

We entered the area prepared but it was still very scary.  The taxi dropped us off in a carpark area near the frond gate but it was unlit and desolate and we had no idea of which hall to enter in this gigantic station which was the destination point for hundreds of trains to all parts of /china and Hong Kong.

 

The hallways of the station were poorly lit but huge.  There were sheepish men standing beside drink dispensers and lockers and waiting areas . We felt we were being looked at from all directions and we formed a tight body with one person covering our rear guard.  There were people following us as we walked aimlessly around asking where the correct ticket office was.  As we went to purchase some foods for the train in the old fashioned food shops which resembled China in the days of the Cultural Revolution then we were surrounded by suspicious men in suites.  As soon as I pulled out my money from my bag there were eyes piercing the cool evening night.  One pickpocket kept following us and stayed about 20 feet behind us waiting like a hyena for a chance to attack.  We kept a tight formation and managed to evade the vultures seeking out their prey. As I turned to go away from the long glass counter where I had been buying some dried fruits, salted nuts and beans there was a man lurking behind me I told him to politely piss off and find another victim other than me because I was not ready to be his sacrificial lamb

 

We waited in a spacious hall with rows of seats for our train to come and travel up the centre of China on the main route to Shanghai toward Wuhan.  We decided to get off one stop before in a city barely visible on the map and and catch a ferry down river destined for Chunking the capital of Sechuan province famous for its food in the west.  We boarded our train just before midnight and sat down in our reclining seats and tried to catch up on some lost sleep.  Continuously through the night as we sped north past rows of rice and vegetable cultivation train attendants would move trolleys up the aisles and  passengers would knock into your shoulder on the way out the door to their destination.  The stations outside our warm cabin looked cold and desolate with little color. They were a reflection of China the frugal nation …a million mouths.

 

We woke up having traveled through the night and at about 4 am we realized that our train ticket needed to be updated to go to the next station and in our train guide to china it suggested that we could request this with the ticket collector on the carriage and this would not be a problem.  This was ad hoc Chinese management at its best.  After summoning the desired amount of courage and consulting our Chinese word guide we went to the rear of the carriage in a little corner where the conductor slept and ate and cooked.  He matter of factly changed our ticket and then moved on to the next throng of requests waiting to be seated.  People boarded the train and stood in the aisle and patiently waited or forcibly asked if they could buy a first come first serve seat. 

 

When we arrived in the train station  went out front of the station and into the carp ark where we say the unimpressive town with its grey buildings, run down cars and assorted agricultural vehicles.  There were local buses but we were unable to speak Chinese so their destination was a mystery.  A young taxi driver no older than 18 years approached us with broken English and said she would take us to the boat harbor, which was about 10 kilometers away. We

 

We got off the train after purchasing some breakfast consisting of chicken and rice.  It was cold and windy, very bleak.  At the station called a taxi and it was a young 20 year old lady who had a red 2 door 4 cylinder minicab who picked us up.  She was a real racing driver and agreed to drive us to the boat jetty where the local ferries moored on their way up the Yangtze river.  We drove at high speed and she agreed to change some U.S dollars into local currency and barter for our boat tickets at the terminal which was a dilapidated mud brick shack at the end of a boat ramp.  It was cold dinghy and there were locals milled outside the shed.  The locals said that a boat was coming soon.  We were to board here up stream from Wuhan and travel for 4 days through the 3 gorges  to Chunking.  We bartered for our ticket as I had a student card from when I studied in China a few years earlier..  The ticket collector seemed happy to give us a cheaper ticket as if it was somehow  the usual thing to bargain down the price   We  were prepared with our wad of fake student cards, youth hostel cards and anything that vaguely resembled  a student or pension ID..  The ticket collector  happily relayed information that the ferry had  four classes and that  meant that they were vaguely much the same between 2nd class A and second class b except for the price.   The  lower class was quite a lot cheaper and very basic which we later meant that one slept on deck on a iron floor surrounded by the odd pig or goat and many spitting  passengers who never worried where they spat except that spit was to be thrust post haste..

 

We boarded the boat barge on the end of a long rickety jetty and there inside covered by tarpaulins were people huddled around a stove and some food stalls.  It was bitterly cold and the wind bit into our skin

As the murky brown water of the river lashed the sides of the barge.  Initially we thought this was going to be our ferry but then the large 2 story  white ferry came along  and moored.  We rushed out of the barge and waited at the gangplank.  Then I went and talked to the Captain of the ship.  I showed him our tickets and asked where the second class sleeping quarters were.  We realized nobody really spoke any fluent English.  Never mind we thought we might be able to sort this out ourselves as we scrambled on the ship with the throngs of other passengers.

 

As we were ready to enter our area we were taken by the ships captain and second in charge and told that it was unfitting for westerners to be anywhere but the first class.  Well we said what is the difference.  After a little haggling and the exchange of some US dollars we were able to buy our way into first class which was rather sparsely filled.  It had the advantage of having a front view of the river in a lounge on the top level.

We felt like royalty with our own shower as opposed to a communal one.  Later we saw the third class quarters and were very happy we were in first class as there were about ten people in the same sized area as the three of us.

                Many local people then entered the boat from the barge with all kinds of luggage.  We settled into our cabin on the second level in first class and began our 4-day marathon up the murky waters of the Yangtze .  We quickly scoured the boat and found the restaurant and snack bar , which were to be our life raft for the next days.. Our cabin consisted of  bunks, shower and  private balcony.  The latter was open to the  full blast of the wind and rain of the day.  In the nighttime these  winds would howl and blow at the ship like a demon taunting us.  Every few minutes there would be another craft moving by us and making waves crash against our boat including small fishing boats, large ferries with impressive dragons on the forward bough and super fast hovercraft from Chunking .  There was never  moment even in the middle of the night where the sound of a river craft could be heard nearby.  2 enormous searchlights, which were riveted, helped the navigation of the river, to the edge of the shore in order to measure the safe distance to the riverbank.  This insured a safe journey.

                All through the night our ferry swished through the freezing darkness with howling winds and temperatures around 2 degrees.  In the morning the wind was most ferocious.  Our cabin was not heated so we thawed out on the front lounge area reserved for first class passengers.  This was our only privilege and we ate in the dining room each morning to a menu of about 3 to 4 dishes.  After all this was a local vessel and not a tourist ferry which could cost up to 10 times the money we were paying.  We were doing it like the locals and loving it. It was rough but enjoyable.

About every three hours we would moor in at a major city and offload goods and cargo.  There would always be a host of  local sellers on the side of the jetty peddling, fruit, vegetables

                Our third day was the most exciting as we would enter the natural wonder of the 3 Gorges an amazing  area of high mountains and cliff faces.  All along the way we passed tiny villages perched on the side of this magnificent river and in the area of the Gorges the cliffs became higher and steeper.  There was a real energy in the air  and the morning sun was particularly warm and clear.  We were lucky as some days there were squalls of rain on an hourly basis and the nights were bitter.

On the third day we sailed through an area which was quite different from the other areas that we had been, for it had fewer villages and the cliffs were higher, much higher and the scenery was amazing.  On the top of cliffs were clouds hovering over these wise old mountains and there was a palpable air  of timelessness.

This area was the place where Kung Fu legends were made and where heroes and heroines fled to seek refuge or where ancient Taoist temple hermitages lay deep in the forest far away from anyone.  There was little sign of human occupation for almost a day.   The sun shone brightly and the air was crisp and  moist. 

High on the edge of a precipice one could see a miniature house, which resembled the landscape painting of an ancient artist.  There was an eiry  silence as be floated past the gigantic grey cliffs. resembling the back of a dragon .  High up on the mountain a lone eagle could be seen  looking for its prey.  We would round

 a bend in the gorges and there amazingly would be a pristine waterfall flowing into the great dragon river. 

                As the sun began to set we had this wonderful vies of distant mountains and distant ranges beyond.  It was a day of great natural beauty and one we shall never forget.  It was almost like a day of natural prayer to the forces of the great Mother Spirit of the River.  We the innocent observers moving slowly in her ancient womb in this tiny boat. When the sun finally faded there was a feeling of peace and reverence

                In the following days we headed for the port city of Chunking  a bustling city in the Sichuan province.  Along the way we say temples atop high mountains and small villages perched on the edge of  the sides of mountains and fishing communities and their primitive boats.  The people in these areas of the upper Yangtze river seemed to be changeless, untouched by the forces of the cyber world, the constant warring in various countries.  To me it seemed like an idyllic environment cloistered among the monolithic mountains standing like giant Confucian patriarchs and the ever-present Yellow river.  

 

Links

www.taichiaustralia.com

www.ammachi.org

 

A Childrens Story by Gerard Menzel 
copyright

"The Aikido Warrior"
 A Messenger of Peace 

Introduction;
This is a children's book suitable for 6 -12 year olds. It begins with a young boy Billy in an Australian primary school who becomes interested in the arts of Japan during a special week of Japanese activities. The children are introduced to Ikebana, Sumi-e painting, Kendo, Origami and Aikido. Billy is fascinated with Aikido, a martial art of non-violence which teaches students relaxation self defence, and a way of communicating harmoniously in order to protect and care for all things in the universe.

In the next days he and his friends are confronted by the school bully and they come off second best. Billy drags himself home after school battered and psychologically bruised. He tells his mother that he had an accident in the playground. She patches him up. Later he goes to bed to reflect in front of a picture of the founder of Aikido. Then he goes into an extraordinary sleep where he dreams of another lifetime when he was a personal student of the founder Mr Ueshiba in Japan.
In the dream he revisits the rural setting where he studied in a past life and how the teacher lived in the farming community and taught the art of Aikido in a holistic way. The farmers helped each other, cared for the land and studied the philosophy and art of Aikido self defence. Eventually the teacher says he now is ready to go and spread the art of peaceful resolution to the world. He climbs aboard an eagle in the mountains and travels through time and space to the present.
When he awakens in the morning Billy realizes he is in possession of the powers of Aikido which enable people to restore peace in any situation of imbalance. 

He goes to school and the bullies are now unable to hurt him and he goes about helping children who, in the playground have arguments and fights. He makes quite a reputation because of his activities in non-violence and becomes a much admired and respected member of the school. Many of the students take up Aikido classes, even the school bully. The atmosphere in the school changes dramatically as children play more in harmony and communicate successfully. Billy becomes the personification of Aikido at the school, much loved and admired. He receives the school award for community service at the years end, which ends the story.

The book has a glossary of Japanese terms. It is illustrated in the 
Sumi-E style by Gerard who is a Sumi-E artist and teacher.
The story is 2500 words long. There are 22 illustrations.
For more information and offers of publication gmenzel@hotmail.com

 

 

A Story for Students 7 to 12 Years


The Aikido Warrior; A Messenger of Peace; copyright 

Billy was eight years old. He had curly hair, brown eyes and was average height for his age and went to Braebrook primary school where he was in year 4. He loved school. He was smart and tried his best at everything in school.

One day at his school the Japanese language teacher Mrs Dickson who had lived in Japan and China when she was a child read a book about the fearless Samurai warriors of Japan. Billy was fascinated together with all the children as they heard of the castles of the shogun king, their armies, with foot soldiers, swordsman, archers and the secret ninja assasins who it is believed could do magic things like become invisible and climb high walls without ropes.

That week the school had a special programme on Japanese arts. Special artists from the Japanese community who worked with paper - making called origami. Little pieces of coloured paper are carefully folded to make beautiful animals like fishes, dogs, cranes, frogs etc... 

Black and white brush painting called Sumi-E was on the activities. It consists of painting very simple black pictures on white rice paper with a bamboo brush and ink. Mountains and rivers animals, fish, trees, flowers and people can be painted with a few quick strokes of the brush.

Kendo the way of the sword ( katana ) was there also which first began with the samurai warriors of Japan as they trained to use the swords for battle. Kendo uses armour Keikogi ( kendo jacket) and head masks as the Kendoka (kendo players) try to score points by hitting each other. They often shout loudly and attack fiercely but don't hurt each other. 

A martial art of harmony called Aikido came to the school during the week and it teaches the peaceful way to solve problems and conflicts between people as well as the way to a healthy and relaxed lifestyle. Aikido players work in two's and throw each other playfully on special mats made from straw called tatami. They attack each other with controlled blows and grab each other in a joyful way, then pin each other to the floor or roll gracefully on the mats. They also practice breathing exercises (misogi) and movements with a (jo) wooden stick in a special series of moves called a kata. Also they use wooden swords or bokken to strike at each other and roll away (ukemi) at the last moment without being hurt. 

Billy had lots of fun and was very excited about the week because he loved the idea of drawing little black sumie paintings with the bamboo brush. He had seen it on TV once. That week he was able to draw bamboo with traditional Zen painting brushes ( fude), ink (sumi), special rice paper (kami) and a grinding stone (suzuri) to make the ink called a made from ash with Mr Matsumi who studied in Japan when he was a child. He was an old man now with a bald head who laughed a lot.

The art he liked the most was the way of Aikido which was a self defence where you learned to share energy and not to hurt people. It was very powerful to watch and the children rolled and played with each other in Sensei Takatas' class. Billy said it was a lot like dancing as all the children boys and girls learned to shrug off attacks from any side softly, roll, avoid strikes and kicks and pin down an attacker without hurting them. "It was all about not being afraid and practicing non-violence said the teacher."

The Sensei (which means teacher in Japanese) was a little man with strong arms and moved sometimes like a fierce tiger and at other times like a dancing crane. He smiled all the time and was always kind. He said the purpose of Aikido was to find a way of communicating without causing violence to teach those who were angry that aggression is a waste of time. The aim of training was to keep healthy and find peace and relaxation. Training was very soft and the children laughed and played Aikido and nobody got hurt because in Aikido nobody tries to win or defeat the other. "In Aikido we learn about harmony and balance", said sensei Takata. "When someone tries to hurt you we try to deal with them peacefully and teach them the uselessness of anger and force" he said.

When Billy went home he told his mum and dad how wonderful Aikido was and the stories of the man who created it called O Sensei (great teacher in Japanese). All the children received a picture of O Sensei to put in their room. He was a famous martial artist who said the Kami (Gods) gave him the message of Aikido to give to the whole world. He said if everyone practiced aikido then we would love each other like brothers and sisters and there would be no need for wars or fights beause we would not compete.

The next day at school Billy and his friends were talking about Aikido in the playground during free time when some of the older boys overheard them. Joe Sarky was in the group and he was always telling everyone about his street fighting he learned at a local gym. He told all the kids he was the best and that nobody could beat him. He was well known for bullying everyone and causing tension. 

He said to Billy and his friends, "What's all this rubbish about a soft martial art which is unbeatable. That is all lies. The harder you are the better you can fight. Winning is all that counts. You guys are just fools who would believe anything or anyone." 

I will show you someone who can really fight and be strong and powerful.
With that Joe and his gang attacked Billy and his friends with a right hooks and punches, boxing them all to the ground. Then Joe snarled, "see your Aikido way of harmony didn't save you against real street fighters. That proves free style boxing is better and strength rules Ha ! Ha ! Ha !" 

Billy and his friends dragged themselves off the ground as the bell rang for the end of the school day. After school he sorrowfully shuffled home with his head low. He vowed to tell his mother that the bruise he carried on his face was from a fall from the school swing because he knew he would fix problem this himself. He would try to sort out the hassle first before telling them. When he arrived home his mother bathed him and put some cream on his face.

That evening Billy sat on his bed sad and wondered about why there was fighting, wars, aggression, strong and weaker people. He looked at the picture of O Sensei and wished to himself that he could be as fearless and strong while still being peaceful. Mr Takata said at the aikido class many people used the picture of O Sensei to gain strength and confidence as they meditated quietly each morning in front of a candle. This candle symbolized the light of life, courage and peace. He said " meditation helped your mind become still and quiet. " 

As Billy sat in front of his candle he prayed to the light to give him the strength to deal with the likes of Joe Sarky and he wished he could fly to Japan and study with O Sensei and gain the insight of Aikido the way of peaceful non-violence.

His mother came in and wished him good night and he fell to sleep. However this was not an ordinary sleep. He had a dream that was larger than life. It was a dream whih would give him special understanding about who he was before in a past life and the powers he posessed. When he shut his eyes he held the vision of O Sensei and he called out to Billy " follow me through the light to a world of power." It was an extraordinary journey where Billy traveled through time to meet O Sensei in Japan to see that he was once one of his most valued students in the mountains of Hokkaido. This was his life in another time (called an incarnation)as Ainikko the peasant boy. 

Hokkaido was a mountainous area and the village where O Sensei lived worked the land and forested the trees. Billy was now called Ainikko which meant sunshine of love. He was a local peasant boy who Sensei had come to know in the forests and was later asked to join his most privileged group of 10 students students.

The aikido students both men and boys would rise early in the morning and sit in meditation by an altar with a candle and the Japanese letters for love and harmony of spirit written on a picture. (AI KI DO) then they would train in the dojo for 3 hours each morning rolling, stretching, using swords and sticks to test each others power of KI. O Sensei would talk to them about the power called KI (the special energy of the body and nature) and instruct them on how to let it flow into their lives through exercises, breathing and correct attitude. He ssaid, " Aikido power or KI comes to those worthy of kindness and great love. These persons are the only ones capable of its infinite beauty to transform people into healthy and happy, people who were fearless. These people would be the future peacemakers of the world he exclaimed. 

During the day the students would work in the fields growing rice and vegetables and caring for the rivers and forests which were necessary for their supply of wood for fire and water for the gardens and home. Everything in the universe is to be respected and cared for O Sensei taught and the spirits (kami) of the rivers, mountains and sky look down with happiness when all people show respect for them and care for them. Then there is harmony on the land and in the houses of the village. 

O sensei was famous in the village for all the peasants would come to him for advice on all matters and he would find a solution for them through his power meditation and harmony. When a tornado blew through the village the effected peasants were helped by the other villagers. Many roofs were torn off and had to be mended. There was a spirit o co-operation sown by the teachings of aikido. O Sensei would carry big logs of wood with one hand which normally only 2 men could carry. Such was his strength or KI power. O Sensei would say, "it is not I who is strong but the Gods who give us this life. Aikido was a way of life and our everyday work was the training place." 

After 10 years of training Ainikko was sent off into the mountains for one month where herbs were to be bought back. O Sensei said that the Kami were calling him for a task. There he was to find the light of life. He was to die and be reborn in another time. He wet off into the mountains and there after 40 days of gathering herbs and meditation he came to the edge of a cliff and he reached out to pick some mountain sage when he noticed in the corner of his eye the eagle of the snow peaks. The eagle said "welcome my friend Ainikko we have watched you work the land peacefully down in the valleys for many years from high above. The great Kami (god) of light is happy with you. Now you must go on another journey through space and time to teach the future about the way of harmony. You must be reborn." Ainikko was not frightened but a little puzzled, "And how shall I do that," he said to the great eagle. You must leave this body and join another in a new life in a far off place. This is your mission. That too is easy for those with the power of AI KI harmonious spirit. Relax and be fearless of this body and follow my instructions. O.K said Ainikko but I will miss my family, friends and O Sensei. You will find new friends wherever there is love and the spirit of O Sensei is anywhere there is nature, trees, birds, mountains, desert. "Come with me to meet the great White Spirit" 

"You must grab onto my feet and I will take you to another land and another country where you will be reborn as a little boy. Your purpose is to spread Aikido to that community. Once you are aware of this fact then the power of Ai (harmony) will be yours." "I am willing," said Ainikko and with that he attached himself to the feet of the giant eagle and they flew off the cliff side into the clouds and into the timelessness of the great light where he was transformed into the body of a little boy named Billy.

Billy awoke as the sun peeked through his window and he began to breath very deeply as he sat beside the window facing the sun. It was still early and his mother and father were still in bed. Then he went out into the garden and began to stretch and move and practice aikido with his new found realization of who he really was. He moved gracefully and powerfully. As the milkman came he questioned Billy where he had learned such a beautiful dance and he replied "ah thank you Mr Bowman but I've just started Aikido." "So that's what you are doing. I didn't know martial arts were so beautiful to watch," he said. After he had trained for 1 hour he had breakfast and went to school with a warning from his mum to be more careful on the swings today. He advised his mum not to worry for today he felt like a new person and in better harmony, he chuckled.

As he rode to school he felt peaceful and full of energy. In the playground 2 students struggled about who was to use the slide first. He noticed this tension and he casually went over to them and suggested that the best way was to share all things equally and without competition. The children looked at each other and said yes that is true we can both use the slide one after the other and we both have equal use. They smiled and played on.

Another little boy was crying on a seat and he enquired what was the matter on such a beautiful day. He said he had forgotten his lunch. Billy said, " don't worry I will take you to the school secretary and we will, arrange some food at the canteen for you". 

In the days that followed Billy was like a light of kindness and he made it his duty to help all the children he saw who needed something. Before he was afraid to ask what was the matter but now his new found confidence was noticeable especially to Joe Sarky and his gang. Billy was a new person inside but he looked the same from the outside.

There were rumours about the school that Billy would face a challenge from Joes' gang but Billy was not concerned. He said," a person of truth and harmony never avoids a challenge for this is an opportunity in itself." One day he was walking in a laneway about to go around a corner when on of Joes' gang members stuck a foot out and tried to fell him. Billy rolled perfectly in the air as he fell and landed on his feet unhurt to everyones surprise. All the other children who saw what happened were amazed. Billy just walked on after saying to the boy, "Oh I hope that I did not hurt your leg as I did not notice it there."

When Joe Sarky heard of the story he said, "Ah he was just lucky. His time is limited." The next day the school was over and Joes' gang was in the playground interrupting the practice of the grade 4 basketball team. 

Billy noticed this and went over to help one boy who had stood up to Joe and was pushed to the ground. "Hey don't do that Joe you should stop pestering these guys". "And who is going to stop me", said Joe. "Yes don't be a bully "Joe said Tom a member of the team. Joe tried to punch him but Billy stepped in-between them and redirected Joes' punch and took him to the ground, holding him in a lock momentarily. "Hey you can't do that", said Joe. You can't punch everyone you like because you disagree either. You should apologise to Tom. Apologise, sure I'll apologise and he stood up and then tried to kick Billy in the chest. Billy was ready and stepped back slightly and lifted Joes leg up so he fell on his back. All the children laughed. Joes' gang members were very surprised. You've bruised my back said Joe. I'll report you for this to the principal. "You will try", said Billy. You fell on your back because you tried to kick me. Don't kick people and you will not have injuries. I acted in self defense and I have all these students who saw it all. It was you who interrupted the game and tried to push over Tom. You should be ashamed of your lack or respect. Joe and his gang walked of with their spirit beaten Then all the children thanked Billy for his courage. I did not hurt him he said but I did teach him a lesson in non-violence.

When the school heard about how Joe was taught a lesson the spirit of Billy's actions spread and the children looked upon him as a shining example of self confidence and non-violence. Many children began to study Aikido with Sensei Takata including Joe who became one of the most dedicated students. There was a new spirit of caring in that school community. At the end of that year when the special school awards were announced at the school hall infront of all the children, teachers and parents Billy was awarded the prize for " the Most Caring Community Person " in the school. His prize was a new Aikido sword (Bokken) and a (Jo) staff donated by the school and the martial arts shop. Billy received the prize and thanked everyone especially his mum, dad and Sensei 
Glossary 
Aikido - martial art of harmony
Kami - spirit or god
ki - life energy
sensei - teacher
kendo - Japanese art of the sword
sumi-e - Japanese brush painting
origami - Japanese paper model making
O Sensei - Great teacher 
ai - harmony
kami - rice paper for painting
Fude - bamboo paint brush
suzuri - a flat square stone for grinding the sumi ink stick 
ninja - secret assasin
samurai - ancient warrior of feudal Japan
tatami - straw mats for rolling on in Aikido and used inside the traditional house
Bokken - wooden sword for training in kendo and aikido
Hokkaido - a northern Japanese island 
ukemi - to roll along the ground in Aikido
misogi - special breathing exercise for purifying the body and mind
jo - a wooden stick for training in aikido
keikogi - uniform
kendoka - kendo player

Copyright ; No part of this story may be reprinted without permission of the author gmenzel@hotmail.com

 

 

 

Sunyavada; The philosophy of Emptiness

by Gerard Menzel copyright

 

'The Wisdom for Crossing to the Other shore '(Prajnaparamita)

'The doctrine of the Void' was postulated by Nagarjuna  A.D. 200 as the Madhyamika or middle way.  It is a way of shattering all levels of grasping.

To live in Buddha consciousness with life is to live in direct awareness of its movement.

 

When Bodhidharma arrived in China in 520 he was asked by the emperor as to the merit gained by his support of many monasteries and the copying of sacred texts.  Bodhidarma a ferocious looking sage replied, "None whatever your majesty."  

 

Sunya or ' The Void ' is the nature of life according to Zen.  ( "Void - empty, vacant as a space "Oxford Dictionary)  The Zen masters offer an open solution to our mystery.

                                                Discover the vacant space of life. 

The appearance of stable solid form (rupa) is illusion because in time even the hardest of rocks will transform.  Change ; the very thing which causes fear and worry is inevitable if we are to be alive.

 

The emperor then asked Bodhidharma, "What is the first tenet of Buddism ?" "Vast emptyness " replied the Zen Patriach

 

If we accept gratefully everything we are offered in our lives without discrimination and involvement of the emotions then we have self liberation.  Contentment is when one is content with what one is and  has got, as well as what one is not and has not. 

 

The practice of Zen meditation is to go beyond duality, to be able to see things purely as they are without the interference of past memory or future expectations.

 

Anicca - The only truth we can hold on to is that everything is impermanant, changing so let it go.  The only certainty is the all pervasive nature of uncertainty .......and that is OK 

 

Daruma as the Japanese call Bodhidarma expressed his 'Way' in a 4 line verse

                A special transmission outside the scriptures

                No dependence upon words and letters

                Direct pointing to the soul of man

                Seeing into one's own nature   

 

The dilemma in life is ; seeking after life itself.  When we are born we are the embodiment of our 'True Nature', our original self free of ego and with it the movement of the discriminating mind.  We are given everything without even having to ask....food, clothing, a name and for most of us a house and a country. 

 

The world of a child is by nature content most of the time for he/she knows no other comparison so there is no complaints or expectations.  Everything is a NEW experience.  We are somehow satisfied with the food from the breast, the affection of our parents, sleep. 

 

As we develop and grow then the mind of discrimination and desire, likes and dislikes, kindness and treachery creeps in as we grow.  In the Zen Buddist scheme of things the Mind is everything.   That Great wisdom mind of consciousness  (prajnaparamita) is by its nature both life and death.  It encompasses both sides of the coin, here and there, this and that, up and down, young and old, empty and dry, rich and poor......the Yin and Yang of the vast universe.

 

Everything we see and know rests on its opposite.  To know sleep we must experience awakened state. Without riches we can not fully understand poverty.  Unless we understand the night we can not know the day and to feel pain then we can relate to pleasure.  Our lives are a constant meandering between these oscillating extremes of YIN / YANG. 

 

Clinging on is the problem. For example if a beggar has not eaten for three days and someone gives him a loaf of bread then his hungry body and mind consumed with that desire for food will then feel mental/emotional pleasure and satisfaction in the belly.  If every now and again he finds food then he does not expect more, rather he appreciates.  That is the nature of the mind. If we get used to a regular meal and someone stops the flow then we get angry and frustrated as we have grown to expect the KNOWN. 

 

The Zen experience is to live in the mind state of the fool who has a vacant mind free from expectation.   Therein lay simplicity.  In Asian countries monks are expected to only take what is given to them in their bowl and each day they walk the village paths and people give offerings. Acceptance is the key and appreciation the heart if this act 

 That mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy.  In the experience of meditation one notices the fluctuations of the mind and the passions of the emotions.  The practice is just to SEE without attachment and to let is all pass by.

 My experience as an artist of Sumi-E Brush painting lets me flow, liberate my spirit and challenge every moment. 

 " When the bamboo brush rapidly moves across the rice paper the unity of time space      becomes one.  The brush, the paper the ink the water and the space on the paper all have a life of their own whilst being simultaneously interdependent."  

 

Bodhi nature - direct dynamic awareness

The study of Sumi-E is the study of vacant space and the ability simplify what is apparently complex.  Each picture must live and have a spirit ( the Japanese call this living essence Ki )

The role of the painter is to lose himself (wu-shin...mindless) the act of creation, then and only then will the form come from a source which is both ONE with , and higher than himself.....the supreme, the living, the immortal, the liberated, the sacred, the unspoken, and mysterious self ..............- Bodhi nature

 

'The wild geese do not intend to cast their reflection;

The water has no mind to receive their image.'

Zen Poem Unknown author