MMTCA January Newsletter 2019

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead

Happy New Year! I hope 2019 is a great year for you, full of health, light, and hope. Chinese New Year is February 5^th, and I'm looking at celebrating on February 16^th.

On December19^th 2018, my Southern Praying Mantis teacher, Grandmaster Gin Foon Mark passed away peacefully. I learned kung-fu with lots of hands-on feeling and timing, calligraphy, and sin-gung or spirit work, privately with Master Mark for close to three years. I was also asked by Master Mark to write a book about his style, which I did. I have a few copies available and will re publish it later in the year.

http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000291594/

Our new schedule begins January 15^th. Most of the classes are the same, and the Solo Form class on Saturday is expanded to an hour and a half. I am still fine tuning the schedule and welcome any suggestions for more classes and/or times.

Book suggestion-Thinkers of the East By Idries Shah

Speaking of books, I am having a limited run printed of my book, Southern Jook Lum Praying Mantis Kung-fu, which I wrote for Master Gin Foon Mark. If you want a copy let me know.

January 25^th is the birthday of the Bard, Robert Burns. Here's one from his pen:

“Hope Springs Exulting on Triumphant Wing.”
- Robert Burns

Thank you all for the holiday gifts and remembrances. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are humbling and much appreciated.

Peace and calm,

-Ray

contact

612-404-7320

skrayhayward@gmail.com

rayhaywardblog@gmail.com

mindfulmotiontaichi.com

My Blog: The Inspired Teacher (rayhayward.com)

Facebook: Ray Hayward, Ray Hayward Enterprises, Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

My books: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward

MMTCA Newsletter December 2018

Happy Holidays and Blessed Winter to you all!

Thank you to my substitute teachers who filled in for me as I supported Jane and her family in the hospice and passing of her father. On behalf of Jane and the family, thank you for the generous donation to the American Cancer Society in memory of her father, Oliver H. Shockley Jr

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/obituaries/4539069-oliver-hartzell-shockley-jr

We will be closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1^st. Classes as usual on Dec 26,28, 29, and January 2^nd.

Keep checking the Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy website. We are adding archival and study videos with the help of Julie Cisler and David Brewster. I will be adding more handouts after the new year.

Book suggestion: The Invitation by Oriah

I know some of you lost loved ones this year. I lost quite a few including Terry, Paula, Allan, Marty, and Pop. Here's to those whose lives are mixed with ours:

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”

-Cherokee Proverb

Namaste,

-Ray

contact

612-404-7320

skrayhayward@gmail.com

rayhaywardblog@gmail.com

mindfulmotiontaichi.com

My Blog: The Inspired Teacher (rayhayward.com)

Facebook: Ray Hayward, Ray Hayward Enterprises, Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

My books: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward

30th Anniversary of Discipleship

" When you drink the water, don't forget the well ."
-Chinese proverb

November 11, 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of my discipleship ceremony with Master T.T .Liang.  I took that moment seriously and do my best to spread the art of Tai Chi through classes, seminars, retreats, articles, dvds, and books.  I've taught in both private and public classes as well as in corporate and collegiate settings.

To be a disciple is to be a disciplined student. Constantly seeking to learn, improve, refine, and share. To take what was hard won from the previous generations and add to the ever changing, while maintaining the principles and theories and training methods. To acknowledge your lineage, take your place in history, and perpetuate the timeless lessons of Tai-Chi.

The ceremony is ancient, and evolved from the Peach Garden Oath. In a culture where family and clan was of the utmost importance, three warriors pledged themselves as brothers. It was the first time that heart and mind was put above blood and name.

"When saying the names Liu Pei, Kuan Yu and Chang Fei, although the surnames are different, yet we have come together as brothers. From this day forward, we shall join forces for a common purpose: to save the troubled and to aid the endangered. We shall avenge the nation above, and pacify the citizenry below. We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. We merely hope to die on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. May the Gods of Heaven and Earth attest to what is in our hearts. If we should ever do anything to betray our friendship, may heaven and the people of the earth both strike us dead. "
-Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The ceremony can simple or complex. It can weave elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and history. The following is part of the oath from the ceremony of the Shao-Lin Temple:

Learn service. Learn fidelity. Learn kung-fu.
Respect the ancestors. Respect the master. Respect the teachings.


An altar is a place of sacrifice. We sacrifice the most precious treasure, our time. The altar is also a place of respect, gratitude, and honor, tinged with pride. The altar can be as simple as a place for an incense burner, or as complex as to house the lineage and mementos.

November 11, 2017 I initiated four disciples at my new Academy: Julie Cisler, Fred Sparks, Karen Barton, and Dan Polsfuss. I have known them for many years, some for decades. Their skill, dedication, teaching ability, and contributions to the art, elevated them beyond the scope of enthusiasts and admirers to lineage holders and inner-door students.

October 13th, 2018 I initiated four more disciples at the Academy: Margo Bock, Wanda Koehler, John Stitely, and John Feely. As with the previous inquiries, I vetted this group concerning years of practice, knowledge acquired, levels reached, and gave each a task to complete to further test them and give them time to be clear about their intentions.

As I look back on my discipleship, I also look forward to those individuals who are helping me carry on Master Liang's message, "Tai-Chi is the whole world's exercise." I am proud and honored to guide such admirable and hard working inner-door students. They have humbled and inspired me, and on my own anniversary, I see Master Liang smiling down on us all...