Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Semen Retention and Science, two links.

Gentlemen, the ancient martial arts masters and spiritual teachers knew semen retention works. They just didn't have the science to speak about it. Here is some science.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLxFazLK2Mg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaBl14KosaE

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Scarcity Mindset, Semen Retention, and having “Good Faith.”

       



“A Scarcity Mindset is when you believe there are limited resources, so if someone else has something, you feel there is less of that resource available for you.”

-Tabitha Kirkland


 

I have been learning, practicing, and teaching semen retention for over forty years. Most of my teaching has been done privately, in person, with one or two students. Now with my blog, and various social platforms, I’m reaching a wider audience. I’m getting feedback, comments, gratitude, and questions, which encourage the need for, and importance of, this vital knowledge.

 

There is a teaching from the Tao of Love that has benefited me not only in love, but in all aspects of my life. It’s called ‘Good Faith.” To better understand the concept of good faith, we need to explore its opposite: scarcity mindset. Kind of like the Taoist glass half-full/half-empty!

 

“Scarcity Mentality measures out life in ounces: it always concludes that the need outweighs the resources.”

-Erin Straza

 

Learning about prosperity from the late Paul Gallagher, he first introduced me to the concept that there is more than enough of everything for everyone. The idea that there is a finite amount of money, or customers, or resources leads one to look and act in the world from a scarcity mindset. Paul introduced me to the teachings of Napoleon Hill.

Hill stressed that nature always gives more than needed, such as in more seeds than can become plants, or thousands of fish eggs that get eaten before they can become fully developed. Nature is full of abundance and shows it every day. Basically, we are given more than what we could ever want or need. Scarcity comes from fear, greed, or even a childhood of deprivation and want. Hill’s teachings included “going the extra mile,” and “doing more than you are paid for,” which show his understanding of nature and his faith in abundance.

 

” People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much: and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me. The principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, the more genuinely happy for the success, well-being, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to…rather than detracts from…our lives.”

-Steven Covey


For many years in my career as a Tai-Chi instructor, I suffered from the scarcity mindset. I believed there were only so many people who could benefit from this art, or who were interested in learning it. I would try to hold on to every inquirer who came through the door. Or try to steal other teacher’s students. Or outright tell people they could only learn the real art from me. I tried everything to hold on to as many students as I could get. Sounds pathetic and desperate! I was.


"Being a warrior means that you are not hungry and desperate, like the poor bastard that thinks he will never eat again and devours all the food he can."

-Don Juan Matus


Gradually, as I saw Tai-Chi grow in popularity, increase in the public eye, and become mainstream, I had lots of people coming to learn. Nature showed me Her abundance. I also grew in maturity as a teacher and devoted myself to the art, not self-promotion, or the size of my classes. When people left for other teachers, arts, or styles, I let them go with sincere good wishes for their learning and growth. My philosophy developed into thinking that if I’m not the teacher for you, or Tai-Chi is not the art for you, or my school was too far away, that I did not want you to be in my classes. This led me to not only an abundance, but a deeper quality, of students and seekers.

 

” Abundance and lack are always both present, and we get the one we focus on.”

-Myron Golden

 

I see abundance in everything now. I’m not concerned with natural resources running out. I don’t believe there is a shortage of students, or food, or money, or anything really. Except maybe a sense of humor! So now I have come to semen retention and the crucial idea of having faith in the abundance of the Tao.


“To rise when desirous and to rest when not, this is ‘good faith.’ ”

-The Classic of Su Nu

 

To practice semen retention and gain all its benefits and wonders, you have to have an abundance mentality. The above quote is talking about erections. To have an erection, not ejaculate, and rest or soften after, requires faith in the method and concept. Let’s look at some common scarcity ideas as concerning sex.

This may be my last erection.

This may be my last ejaculation.

This may be my last lover.

This may be my last opportunity for sex.

This may be my last time making love with my spouse.

This may be the last person on earth!

If these statements were true, then you would “go for the gold” and” get all you could” and “stay with them til your seas are dried up.”  (Thank you, Eric Clapton!)  A man who practices the Tao and has faith and experience in semen retention knows this is not the last of any of those. Unless of course his time is up, or something drastic happens. He knows he will have other erections, love-making sessions, etc. 

He can have faith in this and not ejaculate out of desperation. He can end his loving with a thoroughly loved partner, while still possessing a full erection. He can then meditate and circulate the energy, use breathing or a cold shower, or simply use time to let it subside. Or he could begin another session of intimacy. Retaining his vital essence for his health, spiritual advancement, or a future round of lovemaking, this is good faith!

 

” Those who have an abundance mindset are far more likely to be happy with their lives and to achieve their goals than those who have a scarcity mindset.”

 -Mike Cernovich

 

I hope this helps you with not only your Taoist practices, but your daily lives. There is so much you had, you have, and will have. There is no shortage, only the perception of shortage. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to me. Until then, keep the faith!

Suggested reading:

25 Laws of Success by Napoleon Hill

Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda

The Book of Druidry by Ross Nichols

Art of the Bedchamber by Douglas Wile


 “To economists, everything revolves around scarcity - after all, even the biggest spenders can't buy everything. However, the perception of scarcity is not ubiquitous. An empty schedule feels different than a jam-packed workday. And that's not some harmless little feeling. Scarcity impinges on your mind. People behave differently when they perceive a thing to be scarce.


What that thing is doesn't much matter; whether it's too little time, money, friendship, food - it all contributes to experience a "scarcity mentality". And this has benefits. People who experience a sense of scarcity are good at managing their short-term problems. Poor people have an incredible ability - in the short term - to make ends meet, the same way that overworked CEOs can power through to close a deal.


Despite all this, the drawbacks of a "scarcity mentality" are greater than the benefits. Scarcity narrows your focus to your immediate lack, to the meeting that's starting in five minutes or the bills that need to be paid tomorrow. The long-term perspective goes out of the window. "Scarcity consumes you", Shafir explains. "You're less able to focus on other things that are also important to you.

There's a key distinction though between people with busy lives and those living in poverty: You can't take a break from poverty.” 

- Rutger Bregman 








Tuesday, May 9, 2023

MMTCA May Newsletter 2023

Master Paul B. Gallagher 1944-2023 "Wild Gosse Leaves the Flock"


“How are we who spend so much time in the light to recover that inner dimness that dissolves the borders between bodies and that universal precondition for physical and spiritual rapture of any kind?”

-Clark Strand

May is here, the blooming and opening and warming echo my heart! I had my first outdoor practice, and it was glorious! Speaking of outside…

Beginning May 9th, we will be holding classes outside! Yes, I wrote that! We’ll still have St Sahag as our rainy-day option. Here is our schedule:

 

Tuesdays 6-8PM=St Sahag backyard

Wednesdays 630-730PM=zoom

Thursdays 6-8PM= East River Flats Park

Saturdays 900-1030AM= East River Flats Park

One Monday a month= zoom Pushing-Hands

If you have any questions, please contact me.

 

August 25_ 28th Summer Tai-Chi Retreat at Wild Rice Retreat Center in Bayfield WI.  (Deposits are due!)

https://www.wildriceretreat.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD18IIrTor6UJ4l-ziCn2tiJTOwfFoKfwBXeNM63zYi9M_c9cFaPKRRoCWYUQAvD_BwE

The cost is 900.00 per person. That includes instruction and presentations, 2 meals a day, room and lodging, use of the facilities and sauna, for three nights and two and a half days. We’ll do a long practice each day, have free time to hike and explore, and have sessions on:

-Solo Form Updates, Review, and Refinement.

-Applications for the 2nd Section.

-2 Advanced Pushing-Hands Drills: Willow #2, and Short Power.

-Two-Person Cane Form.

-Pa-Kua two-person form, The Black Dragon Wags Its Tail.

The center is a short walk, on a wooded trail along Lake Superior, to downtown Bayfield. I will also have programs and presentations for the evenings. I need a deposit (refundable) of 300 dollars by May 1st. If we have enough people to make this a go, I’ll expect the balance by August 1st. I’ll be arranging rides for the out-of-town people and will coordinate carpools for the locals.

 

Book suggestion=Body Mechanics of Tai-Chi Chuan by Master William C.C. Chen

https://www.abebooks.com/Body-Mechanics-Tai-Chuan-Chen-William/30080259603/bd


Zoom options for classes. We have a weekly zoom class on the solo form on Wednesdays. Thursday is a hybrid class where I teach in person and also zoom it live. Once a month for the Summer, I’ll zoom a pushing-hands class. If you want to join any of these, let me know.


We have HOODIES!!

https://www.zazzle.com/single_whip_chakra_zip_up_hoodie-256329671102020889



 

Check out Margo’s blog at:

https://purpleswallowarts.com/f/taiji-for-kids

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed a red envelope for Master Choi’s birthday card. He is grateful for your attention, respect, and generosity.





 

I attended Master Paul Gallagher’s funeral in Asheville N.C. It was a beautiful spot with a lovely view of the mountains…





 

For those of you who have read Drawing Silk, here is some trivia and a puzzle. Paul Gallagher told me that most of his learning, practicing, and teaching are contained in his three Taoist stories, another reason to read or reread them! Here are two puzzles for you, Paul told me he is one of the characters in the stories. He also said I am one as well! So, can you figure out who we are? I’ll give the answers next month!

 

I look for to practicing and teaching outside! Join me!

-Sifu Ray


“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumblebee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

-Ashley Smith

 

Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

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

 

Twitter- Ray Hayward 1988

 

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

 

School shirts-        https://www.zazzle.com/single_whip_chakra_tee-235016484610969225

 

Business address,

P. O. Box 28295

Oakdale, MN 55128

 

#rayhayward#taiji#taichichuan#pakua#hsingyi#sword#qigong#yichuan#wudangsword#chinna#standingmeditation#taoistmeditation#taoistlove#semenretention#masterttliang#wailunchoi#mindfulmotiontaichiacademy#rayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#inspiredteacher#rayhaywardblog#sanshou#prayingmantis#karambit# #pushinghands#fajing#imsak#rosslynchapel#druidry #lulubooksrayhaywardauthor #patreonrayhaywardtheinspiredteacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Tai-Chi at Carelton College

 




Bardwell Smith is the major factor in my classes at in the P.E. Dept at Carleton College. He's graduated to heaven now and giving stunning classes and lectures to the heavenly host!! RIP dear friend...


https://www.carleton.edu/voice/stories/forever-ever/?fbclid=IwAR3001VRgE84Qs0cdNZ4Iwk8zZnVR4m0WuMiuRb9gu96nx3wh98k9uqaM9A

Monday, April 10, 2023

MMTCA April Newsletter 2023

 

The Monkey King Himself! Paul B. Gallagher June 28th 1944- March 24th 2023, R.I.P.

“One of the benefits of Tai-Chi is the joy of the movement.”

-Master Paul B. Gallagher

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of my classmate, teacher, friend, and brother, Paul Gallagher, to the celestial realm on March 24th. I will write a blog highlighting Paul’s extraordinary life. I’m also editing a highlights reel of some of his various forms and practices. I’ll post a link for his obit when it is published.



 

Our schedule remains the same for April but with this exception. I will only hold one zoom pushing-hands class this month, Monday, April 17th, 6:30-7:30. We’ll review The Brush Knee etude. I have one zoom class weekly and will be expanding that in the Fall. Stay tuned!

 


August 25_ 28th Summer Tai-Chi Retreat at Wild Rice Retreat Center in Bayfield WI.

https://www.wildriceretreat.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD18IIrTor6UJ4l-ziCn2tiJTOwfFoKfwBXeNM63zYi9M_c9cFaPKRRoCWYUQAvD_BwE

The cost is 900.00 per person. That includes instruction and presentations, 2 meals a day, room and lodging, use of the facilities and sauna, for three nights and two and a half days. We’ll do a long practice each day, have free time to hike and explore, and have sessions on:

-Solo Form Updates, Review, and Refinement.

-Applications for the 2nd Section.

-2 Advanced Pushing-Hands Drills: Willow #2, and Short Power.

-Two-Person Cane Form.

-Pa-Kua two-person form, The Black Dragon Wags Its Tail.

The center is a short walk, on a wooded trail along Lake Superior, to downtown Bayfield. I will also have programs and presentations for the evenings. I need a deposit (refundable) of 300 dollars by May 1st. If we have enough people to make this a go, I’ll expect the balance by August 1st. I’ll be arranging rides for the out-of-town people and will coordinate carpools for the locals.

 


Book Suggestion= Drawing Silk by Paul B. Gallagher

https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Silk-Masters-Successful-Practice/dp/1419663127

 

I’ve been getting requests for beginner classes. Right now, I’m not offering any in my schedule. Julie Cisler offers a variety of times and venues for beginners. If you are up to the 2nd Needle at Sea Bottom at the time of this newsletter, you can contact me about joining my classes. There are many others teaching with my blessing, but for now, here is Julie’s schedule:

All of these classes are open to beginners, and all of the in-person classes are hybrid classes, with a Zoom option. Start anytime!

 

Mondays 11:30am-12:30pm this class is a virtual-only class on Zoom.

Tuesdays 6:30-8:00pm at the Black Forest Inn Banquet building.
The Banquet building is on the east side of the Black Forest Inn's patio seating. Enter through the restaurant, or we can let you in through the door on 26th street.
Parking is available on the street and in the restaurant’s parking lot, which is just south of the restaurant on Nicollet Ave.
http://www.blackforestinnmpls.com/pgs/info.php

Wednesdays 12:00-1:30pm at Walker Community Church
3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55407
We are renting their big beautiful sanctuary! If no one meets you at the door, text Julie to be let in.
Street parking is available.
http://walkerchurch.org

Fridays 3:30-5:00pm at the Black Forest Inn Banquet building.
This is the same location as the Tuesday evening class.

Saturdays 12:00-1:30pm at Christ Church Lutheran, 3244 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Please text me at 612-876-7915 to be let into this building too. We will practice in their huge lower-level gymnasium.
http://www.christchurchluth.org/

 

Contact Julie if you have any additional questions. If you want to be invited to attend via Zoom, please contact her by email.

Julie Cisler

juliecisler13@hotmail.com

612-876-7915

 


Paul Brennan translation=Methods of Applying Tai-Chi Chuan by Yang Cheng-fu. Most of our linneages come directly from Yang Cheng-fu, enjoy!

https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/methods-of-applying-taiji-boxing-taiji-quan-shiyong-fa/

 


Zoom Pushing Hands is on April 17th. Email for an invite or join Patreon.

 

Happy Birthday this month, and last month, to all my numerous ARIES!

-Sifu Ray

 

“Live life as if it’s rigged in your favor.”

-Rumi

 


Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

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

 

Twitter- Ray Hayward 1988

 

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

 

School shirts-        https://www.zazzle.com/single_whip_chakra_tee-235016484610969225

 

Business address,

P. O. Box 28295

Oakdale, MN 55128

 

#rayhayward#taiji#taichichuan#pakua#hsingyi#sword#qigong#yichuan#wudangsword#chinna#standingmeditation#taoistmeditation#taoistlove#semenretention#masterttliang#wailunchoi#mindfulmotiontaichiacademy#rayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#inspiredteacher#rayhaywardblog#sanshou#prayingmantis#karambit# #pushinghands#fajing#imsak#rosslynchapel#druidry #lulubooksrayhaywardauthor #patreonrayhaywardtheinspiredteacher

 

 


 

 

 

 





Friday, March 3, 2023

MMTCA March Newsletter 2023

 

Master Shi Diaomei


“Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

- Hermann Hesse

 

Our schedule remains the same for March, but with this exception. I will only hold one zoom pushing-hands class this month. Monday, March 20th, 6:30-7:30, we’ll go over The Brush Knee etude.

 

August 25_ 28th Summer Tai-Chi Retreat at Wild Rice Retreat Center in Bayfield WI.

https://www.wildriceretreat.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD18IIrTor6UJ4l-ziCn2tiJTOwfFoKfwBXeNM63zYi9M_c9cFaPKRRoCWYUQAvD_BwE

The cost is 900.00 per person. That includes instruction and presentations, 2 meals a day, room and lodging, use of the facilities and sauna, for three nights and two and a half days. We’ll do a long practice each day, have free time to hike and explore, and have sessions on:

-Solo Form Updates, Review, and Refinement.

-Applications for the 2nd Section.

-2 Advanced Pushing-Hands Drills: Willow #2, and Short Power.

-Two-Person Cane Form.

-Pa-Kua two-person form.

The center is a short walk, on a wooded trail along Lake Superior, to downtown Bayfield. I will also have programs and presentations for the evenings. I need a deposit (refundable) of 300 dollars by May 1st. If we have enough people to make this a go, I’ll expect the balance by August 1st. I’ll be arranging rides for the out-of-town people and will coordinate carpools for the locals.

 

Book suggestion: Tai-Chi Chuan Body and Mind in Harmony by Sophia Delza

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31263149947&cm_sp=SEARCHREC-_-WIDGET-L-_-BDP-R&searchurl=an%3Dsophia%2Bdelza%26sortby%3D17%26tn%3Dtai%2Bchuan%2Bbody%2Bmind%2Bharmony

Some people have been getting amazing wooden swords and sabers from Little Raven Studios. I just received the Tai-Chi Saber as a holiday present, thank you D. J.!!  These training weapons are of absolutely the highest quality! Here are some recommendations:

Sword=   https://www.little-raven.com/product/ching-jian/

https://www.little-raven.com/product/ming-jian/

Saber= https://www.little-raven.com/product/tai-chi-dao/

https://www.little-raven.com/product/ox-tail-saber-niu-wei-dao/

 

March 29th is Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi’s 84th birthday! And it’s his Chinese Animal year, the Rabbit! I’m putting together a card with red envelopes. If you want to add a red envelope, get it to me before the 18th.

 

Order your school T-shirts here at Zazzle. Hoodies are on the way!

https://www.zazzle.com/single_whip_chakra_tee-235016484610969225

 

Paul Brennen has done an amazing job translating Chinese Martial Arts books into English. Each newsletter, I’m going to suggest a book either by one of Master Liang’s teachers, or Master Choi’s teachers, or authors in our direct lineage and martial arts family. This month’s suggestion is a book by Shi Diao-mei. Shi was one of Master Liang’s teachers in Taiwan. Shi was a student of Tian Sou-lin and the classmate of Chen Yen-ling (Yearning K. Chen). ( I have Master Liang’s signed copy)

https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2019/03/31/taiji-boxing-according-to-shi-diaomei/

 

If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtlwnHdNjN-Dd5Hjsi3akYQ

 

Thank you all for your continuing appreciation and commitment to the art of Tai-Chi Chuan,

 

-Sifu Ray

 

 “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”

-Plato

 

Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

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

 

Twitter- Ray Hayward 1988

 

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

 

Business address,

P. O. Box 28295

Oakdale, MN 55128

 

#rayhayward#taiji#taichichuan#pakua#hsingyi#sword#qigong#yichuan#wudangsword#chinna#standingmeditation#taoistmeditation#taoistlove#semenretention#masterttliang#wailunchoi#mindfulmotiontaichiacademy#rayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#inspiredteacher#rayhaywardblog#sanshou#prayingmantis#karambit#personalclasses#pushinghands#fajing#imsak#rosslynchapel#druidry#cerridwen#letstalkaboutsex#magic#westernmysteries#breathwork#wimhof#bagua#lulubooksrayhaywardauthor#amazonbooksrayhayward#patreonrayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#taijispear#treegong#knightstemplar#alchemy#holygrail#freemasonry