maintain your center

I haven't been doing much practice lately. Maybe because of the change of weather? Maybe because I've been busy with my daughter? Maybe because of school assignments? Maybe because of work? Or maybe it's the combination of everything? I think I'm just getting lazy. Maybe because I'm getting old?

Teacher said, "Once the structure in place, try to maintain your center when going from point A to point B. In circlewalking, try not to wobble too much."

This seems to apply to life in general.

baji retreat

This past weekend, we had a great retreat at Jenny Jump State Park, in Hope, NJ. We stayed in a shelter for the whole weekend. The shelter was mostly made of wood, with glass windows and a door. It had two double-deck bunk beds, a small stove/furnace, a couple of tables and benches. Public restrooms and showers were available. I was very excited to see a black bear, but my closest encounter with one was that video the kindly office lady showed me.

The form we learned for the weekend retreat was Baji. Actually, this was a refresher and continuation course from our last fall 2004 retreat. Here's my own notes of the form:

1. ready
Standing position. Elbows outward. Fists on dan-tien. Face forward. Shoulders relaxed.

2. pull down & sink
Hands extended grabbing. Feet together. Face forward.

3. kick left
Hands extended grabbing. Left leg up and straight. Toes in. Face forward.

4. kick right
Hands extended grabbing. Right leg up and straight. Toes in. Face forward.

5. rise
Right arm more extended than left arm. Raise right foot. Face forward.

6. sit & elbow
Horse stance. Left fist on dan-tien. Right fist on cheek. Right palm facing up. Face right elbow.

7. chop & punch
Horse stance. Face forward. Chop with right hand. Punch with left hand. Arms bow and arrow. Legs bow and arrow. Face left.

8. rotate
Rotate left 135 degrees. Both feet leave the ground. Left arm extend forward and up. Right arm extend forward and down. Legs on horse stance. Face forward.

9. shift
Rotate right 90 degrees. Right leg empty. Stand on left leg, slightly bent. Right hand next to right waist. Left hand in front of right hand. Palms facing down and open. Face forward.

10. hop
Step with right foot. Slide with both feet. Left hand on right side. Right hand lifting. Palms open. Rotate left 90 degrees. Face right 45 degrees.

11. eagle
Left hand palm grasping. Right hand lifting from step 10. Right palm open. Left foot raised and back of right knee. Face left.

12. pull down
Horse stance. Right hand inside right thigh. Left hand blocking right cheek. Face right.

13. reach
Reach with left arm to right side. Right arm on right side. Face forward.

14. punch
Tip toes. Right arm punch low. Horse stance. Left fist on dan-tien. Face right.

15. block
Rotate right 90 degrees. Right leg empty. Stand on left leg, slightly bent. Right arm blocking. Left arm on right side of stomach. Face forward.

16. sit & elbow
Horse stance. Left fist on dan-tien. Right fist on cheek. Right palm facing up. Face right elbow.

17. wave
Raise both hands up with body. Tip toes. Bring both hands to chest. S-body movement. Both fists punch front and low. Face forward and down.

18. rotate
Left hand holds right wrist. Rotate 225 degrees to the right. Stomp right foot. Slide to left. Left arm goes up. Right arm on dan-tien. Face left.

look into yourself

We started reading about Mencius, an innatist Confucian philosopher. His book seems to be better in explaining things compared to Confucius' Analects book. Here's one of the great passages from the book:

BOOK IV, PART A

4. Mencius said, 'If others do not respond to your love with love, look into your own benevolence; if others fail to respond to your attempts to govern them with order, look into your own wisdom; if others do not return your courtesy, look into your own respect. In other words, look into yourself whenever you fail to achieve your purpose. When you are correct in your person, the Empire will turn to you. The Odes say,

Long may he be worthy of Heaven's Mandate,
And find himself much good fortune.