"Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs."
-Marianne Williamson
It's December! The last month in a very interesting year. I think about how the year started, with my 60th birthday party, Diane, Chris, and Will coming to celebrate. Our Chinese New Year Demo and Celebration the same weekend. I think of February going along just fine with great energy in classes. Then March, oh well. So, we have been closed since mid-March. I had to let our wonderful space go after the riots and fire damage and shut-downs. Now for the bad news. I personally know many people who could tell a very sad story right now, so I'm thankful for my, and our, little setbacks.
COVID19 did give me an amazing chance to get my online teaching up and running. I also got two books out and am working on two more. I have heard from so many of you that you have gotten your own personal practice routines established. So although I miss you all and I miss being in class with you, there is some good that is coming out of all this.
I want to thank you for supporting me in so many ways. Your concern about my finances, living situation, teaching situation, and mental state truly touch me. Your continue support in the form of tuition, Patreon pledges, and gifts has kept me going financially. Your generosity and care has touched me deeply and I bow to you, five points on the ground.
Classes in the park were really fun this Summer and Fall. I look forward to being outside again with you all. As soon as it s safe again, we will rent a space and do in-person classes again. I think we will emphasize two-person and partner work!
With the hard work and dedication of John Stitely, Bryan Davis, and Chris Venaccio, we have made an excellent start to compiling, preserving, and cataloging years, no decades, of film and videos of my teachers and of my self. These will be made accessible as we gradually develop our YouTube page and other venues to share these treasures.
I would like to list some of the people and businesses I have worked with this year, and suggest we buy from friends and shop locally.
Ragweed Forge
https://ragweedforgestore.com/
Little Raven Studios
https://www.little-raven.com/
Rising Sun
http://www.risingsunmartialartssupply.net/
Greenman Gifts
https://Greenman-gifts.com/
Zenith Bookstore
https://zenithbookstore.com/
Arms and Armor
https://www.arms-n-armor.com/
Norwex
dianeshealthyliving@gmail.com
Lulu Books
https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward
Cranestone Cleaning
https://www.cranestone.com/
Four books, as a package, are my book suggestion this month. A great set of books from one of my favorite authors, John Blofeld
Taoism: The Road to Immortality
https://www.amazon.com/Taoism-Road-Immortality-John-Blofeld/dp/1570625891/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=John+Blofeld&qid=1607562545&s=books&sr=1-3
Taoist Mysteries & Magic
https://www.amazon.com/Taoist-Mysteries-Magic-John-Blofeld/dp/0394712358/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=John+Blofeld&qid=1607562613&s=books&sr=1-8
My Journey in Mystic China: Old Pu's Travel Diary
https://www.amazon.com/My-Journey-Mystic-China-Travel/dp/159477157X/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=John+Blofeld&qid=1607562613&s=books&sr=1-13
City of Lingering Splendour: A Frank Account of Old Peking's Exotic Pleasures
https://www.amazon.com/City-Lingering-Splendour-Account-Pleasures/dp/1570626375/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=John+Blofeld&qid=1607562613&s=books&sr=1-6
I heard dark is not bad, dark is deep. So take these dark times: pandemic, finances, politics, and the shortest day/longest night, and go deeply inside your practice. You will find light and love and hope deep inside you.COVID19 will not last forever. Relax now, plan for the future, and we will get through this.
Happy Holiday Season!
-Ray
"Philosophie's main task is to respond to the soul's cry; to make sense of and thereby free ourselves from the hold of our griefs and fears."
-Sharon LeBell
P.S. If any of you are in need, be it food, money, help, or just an ear, please contact me. I am here for you.
contact info:
my phone (new)- 12183419894
address= 1721 Jefferson St, Duluth, MN 55812
email= skrayhayward@gmail.com
blog= rayhayward.com
website= mindfulmotiontaichi.com
facebook= Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy
Ray Hayward Enterprises
Youtube= Ray Hayward, the Inspired Teacher
Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy
my books at Lulu= lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward
my books on Amazon= amazon.com/author/rayhayward
my Patreon page= patreon.com/rayhayward
Instagram= Ray Hayward, or, ataoistsufitemplardruidviking
I can't wait to see some of your youtube videos, and hopefully in the future, see some of it in person!
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