| Feature Article
Observations on the Tai
Chi and Meditation Retreat in Form and Formlessness (2008)
 Although Fontane and I have known Lama Choedak Rinpoche for over ten
years, this
was the first time that we joined our energies together in conducting a
retreat. The feedback and enthusiasm of all the participants indicated that the retreat was very worthwhile and
transforming. It brought the heart and the mind together as one.
Fontane and I both benefitted as much from the retreat as everyone
else.
Firstly, SIBA is an ideal setting for a retreat. Nestled away from the
hustle and bustle of everyday life, surrounded by forests and fresh
mountain air, it is truly inspiring. A strong spiritual ambience
permeates throughout the purpose built centre. SIBA was consecrated by
Rinpoche’s teacher, His Eminence Chogye Trinchen Rinpoche. The
Meditation Room in particular has a very powerful calming effect. The
motel style rooms are comfortable. The meals were lovingly prepared by
the talented cook and staff of volunteers who grow all the vegetables
organically. People kept commenting on how delicious the food was.
There
were twenty-two retreat participants. For most, it was the first time
they had experienced an intensive study of Tai Chi and meditation. Each
morning, we practised Hun Yuan Qigong to prepare the mind-body for the
day ahead. After breakfast, Lama weaved his magic teaching with his
trademark humour and wisdom. He has an incredible ability to talk
in depth on just about any subject. His teachings on how the mind
and in particular, our perceptions, lead to so much of our suffering,
touched everyone. Sitting for two or more hours at a session is a
feat in endurance and concentration. It is also a way of pushing
us beyond our usual limitations.
 Rinpoche spoke in detail about the training of the mind. Initially, the
mind is like an untamed elephant. It has no interest in doing what we
want it to. The unruliness of the mind comes from our afflictions, such
as anger, hatred, impatience, attachment and aversion. As the meditator
learns to apply the appropriate antidote, he has a practical model to
recognise and is able to remedy the various obstacles. Distractions are
no longer seen as enemies but friends who encourage us to transform our
restlessness and laziness. Pain is not to be dramatised. It
is a necessary
part of transforming the mind – from aversion and attachment to being
aware and present. Eventually, the elephant is tamed and the
practitioner abides in calmness.
The Hun
Yuan Tai Chi sessions were a change from the sitting. However, the
theme of mindfulness and calmness continued. As stated in the Tai Chi
classics, stillness gives birth to activity (Yin Yang). Serenity in
motion is the essence of Tai Chi. The body mechanics sessions were both
fun and challenging. They served to highlight all the ingredients
necessary for an application to work seamlessly – physical coordination,
awareness, sensitivity and calmness. All these elements are to be
present while practising the Tai Chi form. Participants reported a
harmonious rapport between sitting meditation and Tai Chi. However, the
sitting is a powerful way to pay full attention to the mind.
Many
benefits will be gained from practising Tai Chi and sitting meditation.
The dividends obtained from these practices are not simply while you are
training, but in everyday life – in your relationship with yourself and
others. As aptly put by Fontane at the closing of the retreat, “Lama
teaches you how to sit. In Tai Chi, we teach you how to move. We hope
that through these practices, you gain wisdom into how to be.”
We
thank all participants for their enthusiasm and their great attitude in
their openness to learning. Thank you to the SIBA staff and of course,
Lama Choedak Rinpoche, for his teachings and enlightening presence. We
hope you can join us for the next retreat!
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
The
location was superb – very peaceful. The staff were very friendly. We
were made to feel welcome all weekend.
The
food was excellent! I’ve never eaten vegetarian before but I was
pleasantly surprised.
I enjoyed all sessions very much – good balance between Tai
Chi and meditation. As a beginner, it would have been too much of just
one of them for me. Nice to break it up.
Congratulations on a great retreat!
– Troy, Real Estate Director
Lama’s
teaching and the meditative practice have inspired me to return to
Buddhist meditation practice which I did many years ago religiously for
two years every day. At that point, I stopped because I did not
experience a translation of mindfulness from the cushion to everyday
life. Lama’s teaching has shown me how to persevere through obstacles
and to realise that these are actually benefits within the practice.
Tai Chi
has strengthened the body’s and the mind’s confidence to persevere in
sitting meditation. It also has become deepened and far more focused by
sitting meditation.
Thank
you so much for this retreat. It has been a joy within the torture! I
feel enormous gratitude to the teachers and all who have supported us.
I had
to go to Sydney the day after the retreat for elective surgery. I had
been on the waiting list for more than 3 years. I got a call (from the
hospital in Sydney) at breakfast the day after the retreat, asking if I
could come in for my surgery and pre-op appointment the next day!
Fortunately, I was feeling very fit and calm after the retreat, so I
probably could not have been better prepared if I had planned it.
It was
hard to to go into hospital feeling perfectly well, and to come out
feeling appalling. I am gradually recovering as each day passes. The
hospital and aftermath have been a retreat of a very different kind. It
has involved mindfulness and reminding myself that stillness and
equanimity are always within. I only have to turn my attention there.
This has been very helpful.
– Heather
To all
with gratitude – the retreat taught keys for resilience and clear mind.
My Tai Chi improved. The retreat taught me the imperative of
mindfulness. I am sure that the tool kit will enable me to develop a
circle of benefit and aid my personal search for true compassion.
– Mike, Teacher
Thank you for arranging suc h
a wonderful experience. I had a brilliant time. I will
definitely be attending the next one.
I
had lunch with my boss and some other work colleagues today. They were
commenting on how well I looked. My boss said I looked radiant! It was
definitely beneficial in many ways.
The
retreat should definitely not be any shorter. It wasn’t until the day
of noble silence that I really started to feel that the meditation was
something useful. By the second half of the retreat, I felt that I was realising some benefit from the meditation. I found that later in the
retreat, the meditation teaching was sneaking into my Tai Chi practice.
Then later, especially the last day, the qi (energy) flow was sneaking
into the sitting meditation. With a certain amount of effort, I could
align the qi with the meditative techniques.
I found
the extended Tai Chi sessions a fascinating counterpart of the usual Tai
Chi classes. I also thought the balance between Qigong, the Form and
body mechanics was very good. The body mechanics sessions have further
encouraged me to join the martial arts class after I have finished the
form.
– Dave,
Executive
This
retreat has been great for me for a number of reasons:
-
Being
immersed means I could really focus on the teachings and see improvement
and benefits during the few days.
-
The
combination of Tai Chi and Calm Abiding Meditation worked very well for
me. They complement each other and I like discovering their
similarities and differences.
-
The
combination also meant I got to try new things which is always good
– Sarah, Environmental Worker
I found
the retreat very rewarding. It greatly increased my understanding of
what part the body plays in taming the mind and vice versa. It is now
very clear to me that the discomfort and pain arising from sitting
meditation and the physical difficulty arising from the Tai Chi form are
essential to disciplining the mind. These physical phenomena are not to
be avoided but harnessed. Thank you Rinpoche, Brett and Fontane for a
memorable four days.
–
Graham
Reconnecting with Tai Chi – moving my body in Tai Chi – has made sitting
meditation and focus on the breath easier. I also noticed and
appreciated the underlying differences in the approach and philosophy of
Tai Chi and meditation.
– Kath, Dharma Student
I have
particularly valued this time away from everyday life to learn more
about myself; to have time to look within myself.
The
talks about meditation have been very interesting and thought inspiring.
I have
found that the meditation sessions have blended well with the Tai Chi
sessions, which I regard, especially the Hun Yuan Qigong, as a form of
moving meditation.
There
is also a wonderful spiritual aura within and around the centre. A
very special place to be in!
– Sarah Ann
I came
to the retreat with no previous experience of meditation or Tai Chi.
I did however have specific goals I wanted to achieve at this retreat –
a greater understanding of practices to apply and benefit my whole
being.
I feel
so transformed from my total experience at SIBA. Meditation sessions
were informative and well executed by Lama. By three to four sessions,
I was able to experience the wonderful liberation from meditation and
let go of negative thoughts. Tai Chi was well taught by Fontane and
Brett. Both are very knowledgeable and humorous.
A very
enjoyable retreat!
– Christine
This
retreat has reinforced for me that I have been heading in the right
direction. I have wanted to make changes in my attitudes to life, to
live life fully and enjoy doing that in a caring way, both for me and
those around me. I found revisiting the meditation practice of great
benefit and am inspired to make it a daily part of my life.
I
enjoyed greatly the combination of meditation with Tai Chi and felt they
complemented each other in many ways. I can see that the practice of
both will take much time to master but that the benefits of both are
great.
The
wisdom and joy with which the instruction has been delivered have been a
highlight of this retreat. The use of silence I also greatly
appreciated as a new experience while being close to others.
The
warmth and dedication of all at SIBA have also made this retreat a
wonderful success. Being looked after in a loving way made it a joyous
place to learn in.
–
Phil
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