Dear all,
this newsletter has been delayed again (our last one wasn't until the end of last month), partially to give a reasonable break between the two issues, and partially because both myself (for other non-tai chi reasons) and Gary (for Eza reasons) have been exceptionally busy. The 2nd Annual Southampton Shin Sangha Eza was broadcasted live on the net via webcam on Sunday 29th Feb 2004 - an event designed to mix tai chi and the Buddhist activities that are central to Gary's 'way' of life philosophy. For more information upon how Buddhism is linked into tai chi, visit the Buddhism section at www.taichido.com, or look through any part Gary's sister site at www.wheelswithinwheels.net. We haven't had a chance to continue updating some of the older articles this month, what with one thing and another, but the research and early develoment stages of the DVD versions of the Long Yang instruction CD-ROM sets have begun at last, so watch this space.

all the best, Mark

Space Set Aside

Southampton City Dojo (the forerunner for Taichido.com) was founded on Valentines Day '96 with the statement: "A place set aside for training and practice in the ways of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom". To this I would often add tag on to this the optimistic sling line of "...space in which to grow".

Just as what became www.taichido grew out SCD as a way of keeping in touch with those who had moved out of the area and were unable to physically get to this dojo, so too this newsletter represents an expansion, increase or growth in the number of people who wish to considered themselves to be 'members' of this dojo. And now, with the enthusiastic use of I.T. and the Internet, we have the ability to be there with you; wherever and whenever you want us to be.

Space in which to grow

You may care now to note that within the initial statement as above, there is no clue or mention given as to just what the practice in the ways of 'generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom' might entail. This is so because when I made the statement (technically a combination of Chen Man Cheng's "Five Essentials" and the Buddha Eightfold Path) I really had not idea as to what it was! I did not know what it was then, and I really no better ideas now, but I push on regardless because these annual events do reassure me that the practice of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom is enough for now.

Practice

The important thing is the commitment to practice. To decide "I'm going to do it" ... and that's that, just do it. Don't think about deciding again, that's done. You've decided, and the only issue now is - how to continue. There are many solutions to this conundrum. They will all involve 'self discipline'.
The details as to what the given practice is and why it is called what it is are superfluous anyway; and the who-where-what are not as important as the commitment to the practice - what ever that is.

It is the "Harmony Within Diversity" of ordinary people that we celebrate annually at these get togethers are also used to facilitate the sharing of practices. Therefore I am very pleased to report that this year the Buddhist section of the days activities within the dojo was very well attended and swollen with an unexpectedly high number of open minded and/or curious (I don't care which)Tai Chi students.

This is perhaps fitting because the first practice to specifically have time set aside for the practice of it in our first dojo (on Valentines Day '96) was Zazen (silent sitting meditation) and thus from day one until now the dojo has customarily set aside one evening of the week for Buddha Dharma Sangha practice, which I personally lead as "Doshi".

However, as there is no place in Buddhism for evangelical or missionary conversion-like activities, these sessions are kept separate from Tai Chi training sessions and under the separate heading of "Southampton Shin Sangha". Thus it is made a absolutely clear to students that these two are separate entities and that practice in one is not implicit to the other.

Nonetheless, these "Buddha Sangha" sessions welcomes all to "come as you are" and follows the same 'free of charge' ethos as maintained by www.taichido.com - which in this instance is the mother and father of all all of our free resources.

Deadlines - and have we moved away from tai chi?

The stride pattern or rhythm of publication of this newsletter altered last month. I have been working on the Eza snd all the subsequent web-based features from that on www.wheelswithinwheels.net... and this has involved a great deal of work; work that was completed only yesterday.

It seems now to me that the amount of work that I had to do in preparation of the event has now been matched be the amount of work that I have needed to do since, and to accomplish it I have needed to put myself on a steep learning cure involving audio compression and editing. That is now all finally done and you have my word that in next month's newsletter I will make sure that my subject matter is on a more 'mainstream' or Tai Chi subject.

Several new items now online

But in the meantime, I do hope you enjoy viewing and listening too sections of our last social and (central contents) Eza (formal Buddhist meeting) through the links provided below - including a recording of the less formal Taichido 'social' section of the proceeding - a live guitar duet performed by myself and Tai Chi friend Russell.

So I end this issue by bringing you bang up to date with news of our biggest event of the year and refer you to several new items put online just Monday morning of this week (22nd March), all relating to the event that is also the subject of this newsletter.

What with the major referrals onwards to directly related links, this months newsletter may appear to be somewhat shorter than most of its predecessor, but please don't let this appearance deceive you, for of itself (this newsletter) is in fact the just the last piece in a series of many.

And thus, with the aid of I.T. and the Internet, I invite you to now go back from here and receive your invitation to our annual celebration of "Harmony Within Diversity" all over again and then go on to review the days events with on screen, printer ready and audio options. In all, I present: 11 audio (mp3 files) along with a web page presentation of every event/section of the days proceedings, with all of the most important texts also provided in MSWord 'printer ready' format.

To begin your excursion, please go in the first instance to any of these splash pages (all initially @www.wheelswithinwheels.net - a purpose built 'sister site' to www.taichido.com - designed as a portal site) and the follow then just follow the obvious ("ADDITIONAL FEATURE") links onwards!

Please go now to:
http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/
the 'wheels.net' splash page
or:
http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/purelandnotes/index.htm
the PLNOnline splash page
or:
http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/sss/index.htm
the Southampton Shin Sangha splash page

From any of those as above, please click then click on: "ADDITIONAL FEATURE" to continue.

slightly hidden

May I end at last now by making sure that I point you towards the one piece that is slightly hidden in the depth of this presentation, this being the live guitar duet of an original composition performed by myself and a Tai Chi friend Russell. This 'contemporary' tune, played as conclusion to the days proceedings was inspired by the three parts of the Yang Long form and as such is the part of the day dedicated entirely to the 'Tai Chi people'. As this 'contemporary' piece does not properly fit with the proceeding of the formal Eza it is kept separate from the main presentation and can be found only at the Southampton Shin Sangha index/splash page as above. On that page you will find there (on the right) links to the three mp3 downloads that contain the tune - and one last link to a few pictures taken on the day.

To clarify, the tune, inspired by the Yang Long form and dedicated players is saved on three mp3 files along a few snapshots of the day on the index/splash page of Southampton Shin Sangha. These pieces are also saved within the Southmpton Shin Sangha Scrapbook on a page of its own with the URL of: http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/sss/scrapbook/pages/eza2.htm. Please do go there now and enjoy!

Gassho, Gary