Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Books written by some of my teachers

Here are three books written by my teachers. I've read them countless times and each time they pay back with amazing lessons, insights, wisdom, and humor. If you don't have these, beg, borrow or buy!!







Wednesday, January 14, 2015

My Books About My Teachers and Their Teachings

I have been most fortunate in the teachers I have had, and continue to have. As my cup ranneth over, as well as my notebooks, I shared the amazing wisdom and knowledge in the form of self-published books. I am currently working on my two of own books, and switching to on-line publishing. For now, I'd like to remind you of the lore and experience available for you.

The teachings, quotes, writings, my notes, and photos from four of my teachers are in the following books:

Master T.T. Liang





Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi




W.B. Joseph Lang

Grandmaster Gin Foon Mark




I am indebted to these amazing teachers and hope you can get a glimpse of what it was like to learn from these masters.


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Renewal at White Spring

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"To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival."
-Wendall Berry

I went to Glastonbury last June to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Druid Order I belong to, the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids,or OBOD. I had never been to Glastonbury and the chance to both celebrate and witness history called me. I was asked to take a role in the ritual (Druid of the East) which was held on the Tor with over 400 Druids from all over the world participating in a rite to honor and mark the past, present, and future of the Order.

There were so many wonderful and amazing parts to my trip. The town itself, steeped in history and magic, the long weekend filled with celebration, education, and fun. Awesome talks by Philip Carr-Gomm, Caitlin Matthews, and Ronald Hutton, hearing Damh the Bard play "Spirit of Albion" live while watching Druids boogie down, seeing old friends and making new friends, a fireworks display among the Abbey ruins as well as many trips to the Chalice Well  were just a few of my personal highlights.

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The breakout sessions, interviews, and an incredible vegetarian dinner all showed great care and planning. I got to sit at both the Mentor's and Celebrant's tables and talked with people and answered questions and shared in the overall joy and appreciation I felt from everyone concerning their experiences with not only the celebration, but the course-work and the Order itself. I had many confirmations that not only my experience with the Gwers, but most people's experiences showed the magic and foresight that goes into our self study course.

Of all the many blessings and experiences I had, one stuck out. Possibly the real reason I went. And not one I knew about, until it happened.

At the end of a session about the harm of the Fracking Industry (the Earth is Not For Shale) we were invited to the White Springs for a renewal of our support and protection of the Earth. I waited almost two hours to enter the Victorian brick entrance to the White Spring, next to the more well  known Chalice Well.



Inside were Druids in the roles of the Fisher King and the Lady, as well well as a group drumming and chanting in the candlelit cavern that housed the Spring. A soon as I entered, I felt the presence of the Lady so strongly that tears came to my eyes. I saw an altar dedicated to Her and I left a piece of jewelry in token of gratitude. Since the first time I read the story of Ceridwen and Taliesen, I felt that it was the Sacred Feminine who liberated me to fully embrace my spiritual life. I sipped lots of water and dipped some of my power objects into the pool for a blessing, as well as leaving a coin for my continued good luck.



As I approached the source of the water, the actual Spring, I was overcome with emotion. The beauty of the lights, the sounds of water and chanting and drumming put me into an altered state. The messages from the ritual spoke directly to me, the land and I are one. The energy of the ritualists and the sincerity and awe in my fellow Druids, opened my heart and filled me with gratitude and clarity.



Leaving the hall, I spoke to the Druid leading the ritual. I thanked her for the ritual and for the time and energy they all put into that rite. I saw a line still waiting to enter after me and knew that that ritual went on for hours. I walked back to the town to go to my room, but I couldn't sit still, I just kept on walking for hours, basking in the glow. I wrote copiously in my journal and relived many of the life changing moments of my recent Druid past, all coming from the Goddess, through the Order.

 At the White Spring, I renewed my commitment to the Sacred Feminine.



Sunday, January 4, 2015

Med City Tai-Chi

"Begin with the end in mind."
-Stephen R. Covey

I had the fun task of teaching a class for Med City Tai-Chi during my vacation. Taught and run by Mike and Kim Cain, this group in Rochester Minnesota was a delight to work with. The space was huge and the time flew. We covered warm-ups, qi-gong, Golden Rooster, and the Short From as well as alchemy, and the meanings behind the Tai-Chi Sword Form Posture names.

Here are three quotes to give an idea...

"Take as much care at the end as you do in ther beginging for that is where the mistake happens."
-Tao Te Ching #64

"Let the mind direct the ch'i so it sinks deeply and steadily and can permeate the bones."
-Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures

"It is both the begining and the end of the Great Work..."-Hermes Trimegistus