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My master's , my teacher's

Friday 28 August 2009

By Gloria Dean

                                    My master’s, my teacher’s

                                   

Once upon a time, I worked on valuable antique Chinoiserie furniture and works of art. Every day I would draw, apply, carve and gild tiny people practising their art of Tai Chi. I portrayed their beautiful flowing movements and purposeful stances with delight and I often thought how wonderful it would be to learn.

So sometime later inspired by a brief, but fortuitous encounter with a student of Tai Chi,  the little knowledge I had already acquired through my work and the fact that Tai Chi followed much of the philosophy that I already possessed in my life, I embarked on a new adventure in Tai Chi.

 I wanted to find a master, a mentor. I was riding high school dressage up to that time,

and I desired what I had found in my Haute Ecole riding master. Although not my preferred way of learning, I went to a local class. I liked many of the students and was inspired by the teacher, as I watched him perform with fluidity, focus and dynamism.

This I thought could be the one I am looking for, how could I have found him so easily.

Despite this I was eager to be out of the full-time class situation. I wished for an intimate, personal, and concentrated learning experience to work alongside it.

I rode with and learnt from one of the most talented teacher’s I had ever met, he took me to an exalted level of achievement and understanding ( with still so much to learn ) in three years, before dying so very prematurely, at the end of one of his lessons. So I knew this was possible for me to achieve again in another art.

I have never under estimated work and effort, but when this is borne out of desire to reach a peak level in whatever one pursues, it is achievable and gratifying.

Having taken time out from my class, for personal reasons at that time, I continued to practise the modest standard of Tai Chi I had reached, every day, with my young son. His ability to read, understand, retain information and inexhaustible enthusiasm enabled us to work together under our own instruction. His interest was such that I took him to the man I believed to be the Master we sought. He was!

I took my son, and this proved to be a rewarding and intense experience for him also.

I am still working with ( and living with ) my mentor in the art of Tai Chi Chuan and am studying the Tai Chi Sword form. This elegant and flowing form heightens my awareness and focus, with the sword ´moving like the calligrapher’s pen`.

My work grows, it opens my mind and inspiration for my painting comes more easily.

Art is an expression of the reaction of the spiritual self, to the encounters of everyday reality and sometimes more. In practicing my Tai Chi I get in touch with these emotions, experiencing them as physical manifestations which interfere with or sometimes improve my form. In seeking balance within I become more aware of my true self and it is this I attempt to express within my art.

 

 

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Jill Smith	10:38 AM on 28 November 2008 I love your work, its really good. Also have read your blog and l think and hope you can help me. I can't find out how to put more in my blog, did the first part but don't how to do another post . If you don't want it to be on your blog my email is jillsmithart@googlemail.com Jill

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