Learning how to learn is important. First we need to allow our perspective to broaden, otherwise the filter we’re using to absorb knowledge is muddied by our past. Second, we need to work on our ‘beginner’s mind’ so that we can accept what we’re being taught, practice it sufficiently without bias, before testing and challenging it to ensure that it’s viable. Third, we mustn’t be scared to walk our own path because fashions and fads amuse the stupid and lead them astray but penetrating the underlying principles, ideas and truths in an art requires an unfettered, strong, individual mind. Fourth, … Continue reading Learning How Yo Learn

Martial art classes are so random because: It’s rare that the same people turn up each time. Even with lesson plans, to cater for a group that are at different places in their learning and have patchty attendance is difficult. Classes are generally treated more like gym training these days so a ‘workout’ tends to take precedence over skill learning. The teacher often teaches what they’re enthusiastic about or what the students want rather than what they need. My Tai Chi programme is so successful because: The programme is highly structured. The same people attend every month. They pay enough … Continue reading Why Being On A Programme Is Important

Walking the left hand path. There are those that loyally carry the treasure chest of their system from generation to generation. They will say “I teach exactly as I was taught”. Not every generation will have innovators that are capable of developing a system to make it better, so the carriers have an important role until someone can unlock the chest, penetrate the ideas of the system and make them better.. These are the people that walk the left hand path. They take the instructions and then practice and internalise the skills until they become them, but don’t stop there. … Continue reading The Left Hand Path