Prof. Cheng's Mastery

"Altogether I've had fifteen teachers. I have to say of all of them, Prof Cheng was the best."
-Master T.T. Liang

I heard the above quote many times in my classes with MasterT.T. Liang. Liang was a long-time student and disciple of Prof. Cheng Man-Ch'ing, as well as being an assistant instructor and translator. Liang accompanied Cheng to America as the Proessorfs translator and partner for classes and demonstrations as well being invite by the U.N. to "introduce" Tai-Chi to the U.S.

I recently looked at a document where Master Liang was lamenting over the death of his teacher. Liang enumerated many of the Professor's achievements and signs of Tai-Chi accomplishment and mastery. I went back and looked over my notes, re-read Master Liang's writings and books, and talking with my elder classmate, Master Paul Gallagher. I soon began compiling a list,which grows each time I do research. I was blown away.

Not only was the list impressive and inspiring, I quickly realized that I could easily write a blog about each achievement. I might do that in the future, but for now, I'm going to share with you the list and hope it inspires you to practice more, ask questions, and bow in respect to my grand teacher, Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing. Namaste!

Relax and Sink
Center of Gravity
Single Weighted
Withdraw-Push Techniques
Firmly Rooted
Issuing Energy
Hands everywhere on his body, nothing to do with hands
Whole body as one unit
How to apply Ward-Off and Roll-Back
Receiving Energy
Lines
Everything he did was according to the Tai-Chi Classics
Swimming in Air
Pushed so suddenly and terribly
Explained and showed how to apply the Classics
Knocked M. Liang out on three occasions
The softest teacher with the sharpest energy
Highest level without external training
Small in stature but huge in ability
No one equal, no one a close second
No one can do sword, so softly yet effective, like him

"I practiced for a long period of time, reflecting on what he (Prof Cheng) had taught me, learning from other teachers and from books. I found that what he (Prof Cheng) taught me is perfectly correct and accurate."
-Master T.T. Liang

Three photos with T.T. Liang in the place of honor and rank, to his teacher's right.

Carleton "Bels" (not misspelled!)

Learn Tai-Chi a.k.a. Jingle Bells

Refrain
Learn Tai-Chi! Learn Tai-Chi!
Aim to be like Ray
Oh how good it is for us
When we practice every day

Verse One
Dashing through the form
In the studio at school
Shouldn't be the norm
"Soft" and "Smooth's" the rule
Use a metronome
Set it to tick slow
"Keep together and begin" are words to help us flow
Refrain

Verse Two
A year or two ago
I thought I'd take a chance
And check out this new class
Cuz it may be a dance
The "Teach" is lean and lank
Misfortune not his game
We got into a thinking tank and now we share some fame Oh!
Refrain

Verse Three
Now the groundwork's done
We'll keep on getting strong
Always having fun
While singing this new
Bring some friends to class
Teach them how it goes
Soon we'll have a group so large there won't be any woes Oh!
Refrain


By "J.T."


Thank you so much to my Carleton Rec Class. You have made impressive progress and I look forward to working with you in 2015. Namaste!!

A Poem

I tied for first with this poem...

Dr. Seuss and the Wild Bee

Imbolc 2011

My old musty book about long, long ago,

Opened my mind about some things I know.

About Druids and Wizards, and Sages long dead,

Then a wild bee came buzzing and circling my head.

“You’re looking for something,

Your heart’s not at peace,

Your mind is in trouble,

Your worries won’t cease.”

So I asked the wild bee what all Druids knew.

She said “opposites are three, not merely two.

Three contains magic and wisdom and light,

Seen from the middle, both sides can be right!”

“The Druids knew pleasure, and peace, and knew calm.

Their knowledge brought healing, their wisdom, like balm.

Their seeing was clear and so full, full of love,

And sun and the moon gave them peace from above.”

But what of the Druids and what did they know?

And what did they do and where did they go?

The bee gave a smile and said “Listen to me,

And I will give answers to your questions three.”

“Druids knew cycles and seasons and change,

And when to step back and let Gods rearrange.

And when to be quiet, and passive, and still,

And how to enjoy, and of life, drink their fill.

The Bards wrote their poems, sang songs, and brought art.

The Ovates went inward for healing to start.

The Druids gave teachings and guidance and rite,

And all shared their blessings by day and by night.”

Now where are the Druids, and where did they go?

“They’re here with us now and this you should know.

For all are a Druid who love, live, and learn,

For a life lived in nature, for peace they do yearn.

“Now leave this wild bee alone for a while,”

And she buzzed away fast, with a mischievous smile.

So I put back my book on the library shelf,

And sat down with a Druid who was simply…

Myself!