* "Forgetting is More Precious than Remembering," Paul Lam, M.D.
Paul is a Family Practice Physician and Tai Chi expert. Our conversation begins:
"When introducing my workshops, I often ask participants to allow themselves to forget any new material throughout the workshop. In our modern world, we place too much demand on not only ourselves but also everybody as we are required to know so much and are bombarded with facts."
"I recently heard a famous author say that over the last few years he found it important to keep away from the Internet and Television because he found that there was too much information and not enough knowledge. I found this fascinating. Knowledge is acquired from thinking not just remembering the facts....[Knowledge] is internal like Tai Chi."
"In our busy lives we try to learn many things, and we end up getting a lot of information that is relatively superficial. The real knowledge is deep inside us. Imagine when you forget what you have to say when you are speaking publicly. You have to start thinking and re-organizing your thoughts. That is where you really exercise your thinking. Your thinking ability can be applied in different places and situations whereas facts remembered do not wok in different situations. This is why forgetting is an effective way to learn."
"The Power of Mindful Learning written by Harvard Professor Ellen Langer says it is good to forget because when you do, you become more mindful and you learn more quickly. Professor Langer has studied various people from children leaning to play the piano to older people with Alzheimer's....She found that through scientific studies, by being mindful, learning is much more effective than just remembering."
Learning About Tai Chi and Life
"Why is it advantageous to forget while we are studying Tai Chi? Should we not give it our all and get it right the first time? When learning a new concept or a new movement, participants often find it difficult to understand the full concept and to incorporate it perfectly. It is important to understand that we can't do everything perfect to start with. Actually there is no perfection in Tai Chi practice. It is a journey."
"What is important is that the human process of leaning always goes through failures [and questions]...and retrying is where we improve and find better ways. By trying to remember everything and thinking you need to do everything right then you set yourself up for failure."
"There is no need to know know everything about Tai Chi. I find it helpful to let knowledge permeate through osmosis to you, and when you relax into it, allow yourself to fail. Allow yourself to forget and simply do what is comfortable and right for you. Think about what works for you and why. By doing this, your Tai Chi will gradually develop and grow much quicker. And it will be more enjoyable without placing excess pressure on yourself."
"Tai Chi is based on the law of nature. Like nature, learning step by step without forcing, and with your mind open, the knowledge will be acquired more easily and naturally. If we never allow ourselves to forget, similar if we don't 'empty our cups,' we won't be able to accept new knowledge. A quantum leap in Tai Chi development is more likely to come naturally. There is a whole world of possibilities waiting for us if we are willing to take a couple of steps backwards before we move forwards."
"I have been learning Tai Chi for over 40 years, and I have allowed myself to forget many of my earlier impressions... with forgetting, new insight and understanding comes to me."
**"Letting Go of the Form is the True Essence of Tai Chi," Shelia Rae
**** "You must be present to win!" Debra Basham
*** "I'll be right backwards," Daniel Tiger
Related Posts:
Search Key Words: Tai Chi and Meditation
Posts: Carry Water Chop Wood, attending Dr. Lam's workshop (June 2011), Fully Present (May 2012), Tiger Tales (Mar, 2013)
Resources:
* Forgetting is More Precious than Remembering, Dr. Paul Lam, Director, Tai Chi for Health Institute, Narwee, NSW, Australia. Excerpts from Dr. Paul Lam's article in his free online newsletter Dec 2012 and photo reprinted with permission.
http://www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org Learn about Tai Chi to empower well being in all areas of your life. Video, Music, Workshops and more
**
Book by Dr. Paul Lam, Teaching Tai Chi Effectively,
quote by Shelia Rae,
Master Trainer in Dr. Paul Lam's Internationall Tai Chi for Health Teaching Team.
*** http://www.pbs.org Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Playing Backwards Day at School reminds me of Repel the Monkey movement in Tai Chi. Practice "Backwards Walking" with Daniel and His Friends, a cartoon show for kids of all ages.
**** http://dbasham.blogspot.com Post Water Reflects (May 2013) quote from Debra Basham's Blog
http://imaginehealing.info Joel P. Bowman, Ph.D., and Debra Basham, CHTP, NLP, HTt, RMT create your healing journey for you and your pets.
Books:
http://www.deepakchopra.com
Super Brain, book by Deepak Chopra, M. D, endocrinologist, with Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Ph. D., neuroscientist.
http://www.ellenlanger.com
The Power of Mindful Learning is by Ellen Langer, Psychologist and Harvard Professor. Other books by Ellen include Mindfulness, On Becoming an Artist, and Counterclockwise.
See Ellen's art work on the site!
dahlis.roy@gmail.com
Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Images:
Dr. Paul Lam smiles and relaxes (2012), photo of Paul
Monarch with Marigolds photo by Dahlis
Turtle photo by Maddy, "Slow and Steady Wins the Race."
* "In pure consciousness there is no time," Deepak Chopra
** Leaf Floating in a Puddle: photo by Debra Basham
Melody and words float through my head, they have accompanied me for some "time" now. ***Come Down In Time is playing softly on repeat track as I write. The song is a mystic friend and companion helping me draw in words and images. I hear the tone poem's lilting lyrics:
*** "In the quiet silent seconds I turned off the light switch, and I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left...."
I called my friend Debra then discovered her blog post. Debra's photo drew me right into the story.
Excitedly starting to type some of the story's words I wrote:
"Om"
Retype "On"
"....Sunday AM...I went out of doors for my walking meditation....following the 'wrong way' signs, I saw this amazing piece of art [h-eart]....a single heart shaped leaf was floating in a mud puddle." [I almost typed 'puzzle'.]
Debra continues, "The puddle was surrounded by gravel, each piece seemingly having been placed by some artist for its aesthetic value." [I saw jewelry in the stones. I felt ancient mosaics.]
"The tree silently standing watch had been reflected in the water in such a way you could imagine you were seeing arteries from that heart." [I saw a necklace.]
I heard song lyrics float by:
*** "A mantel of bright light shown down from a room...."
Come Down in Time, and I'll meet you halfway....
"The friend is here...." Rumi
*Dream * Imagine * Create*
Related Posts:
Tonal Vision (Jan 2011), T-I-M-E and In The (K)now (Dec 2011), Fully Present, and (May 2012), The Pink Lotus, (Apr 2013)
Resources:
* Deepak Chopra, M.D., Medical Expert, Author, Meditation Teacher, Visionary
http://www.chopracentermeditation.com
** http://dbasham.blogspot.com Debra Basham's Blog, Yellow Brick Road, Your Path to Heart and Health. Post: Leaf Floating in a Puddle, (Apr 16, 2013).
http://imaginehealing.info Joel P. Bowman, Ph.D and Rev. Debra Basham, CHTP, NLP, HTt, RMT, create your healing journey.
*** Come Down in Time, song: Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics) Tumbleweed Connection Album (1970)
Here Today, music and lyrics by Paul McCartney
dahlis.roy@gmail.com
Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Image:
Leaf Floating in a Puddle, photograph by Debra Basham
Flying Crane
* HAPPY WORLD TAI CHI AND QIGONG DAY and WORLD HEALING DAY, April 27, 2013
"And the Multitude Speaks with One Voice," Jiong Gu, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and my first Instructor of Tai Chi and Qigong. "All one energy in Tai Chi, all in balance and harmony in Tai Chi and in life."
* "One World~One Breath"
All around the world at 10 AM in your time zone on Sat. April 27 (the last Saturday in April every year) people gather to practice Tai Chi alone, in small or large groups. There are demonstrations of various forms of Tai Chi and Qigong. Tai Chi forms are flowing sequences of synchronized exercises. Qigong ( "Chee-gong" ) energy work sets resemble calisthenics. Outdoors or inside we celebrate and express gratitude for how our lives are enhanced and strengthened by Tai Chi and Qigong practice. Spectators can learn more about Tai Chi and where they can join classes or groups. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is created by Bill Douglas, noted author and Tai Chi expert.
** Conversation Among Mountains by Li Po, T'ang Dynasty Poet
You ask why I live
in these green mountains
I smile
can't answer
I am completely at peace
a peach blossom
sails past
on the current
there are worlds beyond this one
Tai Chi connects body, mind, and spirit as one.
Related Posts:
Click Blog Search upper left toolbar, Key Words: Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation
Resources:
Books:
** Five T'ang Poets Trans. by David Young features poetry by Wang Wei, Li Po, Tu Fu, Li Ho, Li Shang-Yin. Chinese Poetry from the 8th and 9th century A.D.
Scholar Warrior by Deng Ming-Dao, An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life
Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Images:
Flying Crane, ancient Chinese symbol is part of an oil painting Dancing Cranes by Dahlis
Exit, pen sketch of Chinese character by Dahlis
Tai Chi for Health, Self Defense
Dream * Imagine * Create
Recently I received a a dream painting titled The Pink Lotus. The flower floated on a blue water background, stylized rather than realistic. The moderate sized canvas was higher than it was wide. There was a white unpainted border around the flowers. The canvas mounted on wooden stretcher bars hung, unframed, on a cream colored wall. The house was minimalist with a dark mahogany wooden door to the right of the painting.
There was a second smaller lotus above the larger one. There were some streaks of mustard colored paint on the top petals of each lotus. I penned a sketch.
The Pink Lotus is an oil painting, but the effect was like pastel paints on illustration board.
An image of a painting is born!
What could the lotus mean?
This morning I opened my Facebook page to see a photo of (wait for it) a pink lotus flower!
The Caption Read:
"The Lotus Heart is the Higher Heart where Love, Bliss, and Freedom Reside."
Related Post: Puzzle? A Collage of Flowers, (Feb 2013)
Resources:
The Yoga of Drawing, Uniting Body, Mind, and Spirit in the Art of Drawing is by Jeanne Carbonetti. Fun with Color and line!
http://www.deepakchopra.com
http://www.chopracentermeditation.com Deepak Chopra, M.D., is an author, medical expert, and spiritual teacher.
http://www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org Paul Lam, M.D., helps empower people to practice Tai Chi for Health exercises for strength, balance, goal achievement, and creativity.
dahlis.roy@gmail.com Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Image
The Pink Lotus, crayon sketch of a single lotus flower. I love crayons, awakening my artist inner child. I made an ink sketch of the entire dream painting, to paint later.
Abundance
What is Gratitude? What is Abundance? Who Am I? Where Am I?
Many people keep a gratitude journal or online writing where they can come into a quiet space in their hearts each day as they reflect on their abundance~a dance of sun and raindrops.
Some folks think of gratefull events when they wake up each day and give thanks, before the mind-chatter begins. This year I started a new Memory Jar where I can write a positive thought, experience, or quote each day and drop it into my grandfather's blue mason glass jar. Some like to write their thanksgivings of the day before bed each night. Others may choose to create photo folders, digital, online storage, or in small albums for physical touch "just like old times."
Giving Thanks Opens the Heavens!
Gratitude is an ever evolving breath. The ability to "Be still as a pond of clear water, reflecting both Heaven and Earth," Lao Tzu, Tao te Ching
I am grateful for the wonder of the mind's eye, awakening our hearts and spirits: changing the world for the positive good one breath at a time.
I am grateful for the gifts of seated meditation I recently started. I feel calmer already and more mindful of the ever present "Now." I feel more flexible in "schedule" and awakening a new gratitude for my body and how we co-create together in solitude and with others in ever expanding spiritual partnerships.
Related Posts:
Giving Thanks Opens the Heavens, (Nov 2010), Message in a Bottle (Jan 2013), Puzzle (Feb 2013).
Resources:
http://www.chopracentermeditation.com Deepak Chopra, M.D., Author, Medical expert and Spiritual Teacher.
http://www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org Paul Lam, M.D., develops and promotes Tai Chi for Health Programs. Tai Chi is meditation in motion. Relax while you exercise for better health.
dahlis.roy@gmail.com Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Image:
Abundance photo by Dahlis Roy
