|
Error processing SSI file |
 |
December, 2001 Message from Master Eric Sbarge
Special Announcements
Sifu Promoted Sifu commented afterwards that anybody could print an award or certificate and that these were therefore meaningless. What was beyond value to him was the seal and approval of his teacher, our Grandmaster. In last month's newsletter, it was noted that those in attendance at Master McSweeney's Power Strikes workshop got to see martial arts history in the making when he promoted Grandmaster to 8th degree black belt in kenpo. Those who attended the banquet should have no doubt that they saw martial arts history in the making as well. Editor's note: Even though he is now a Master, those of us who are students still address our teacher as Sifu. Workshops and Special Events
Master McSweeney's Power Strikes Seminar, Saturday, January 19th, 2002 1-4pm The workshop will run from 1-4pm and is only $30 per person. You'll enjoy a great self-defense workout, gain new insights into combat strategy, plus have a rare opportunity to ask questions of this highly experienced kung-fu master. Sign up now at the front counter. What's Up?
History in the Making
Regardless of your level of training, every person who attended this workshop came away with some bit of profound knowledge, some seed that sooner or later will bear the sweetest fruit, even if now it may seem but a dry pip. The workshop pulled out all the stops. From demanding high speed kenpo sets, to frustrating and revelatory Wu Hao push hands; from deceptively simple fa-jing qigong drills to meditative tools for our new age, Grandmaster gave us more than we could have imagined.
Like his father before him, out of his love and deep understanding for these arts, our Grandmaster has developed a new form. One of the most beautiful and least understood weapons is the fan. Following years of study, and with the help of his own closed-door Disciple, Master Peck, Grandmaster Ma For Ren created The Peacock Fan Form, Kungque Santz Kung. No other school anywhere in the world has this form. With its exceptional balance of us - martial applications, and beauty - the essence of the animal, this is a truly striking form. And it is a rare and historic gift, which we receive with all humility and gratitude. To everyone who missed the workshop, we wish you could have been there. For everyone who was able to attend, it was unforgettable. A selection of pictures from the workshop will be online soon. 
Incredible One-Day-Only 25% OFF Holiday Sale for Students and Members
New Year's Dinner Has Been Scheduled It's gonna be a blast!!
Monthly Students Discussion Group Wednesday, Dec. 5, 8pm As Sifu has mentioned many times, the stresses of our world take many forms and affect all of us whether we are aware of these affects or not. This is particularly true now, in view of the bewildering war and the recession on top of whatever personal baggage we're carrying. We have unabashedly promoted the NOW line of vitamin and herb supplements in this newsletter because they are the best on the market, and because The Peaceful Dragon has them at prices you can't get elsewhere. The upcoming discussion is a perfect opportunity to share your experiences about herbs, teas and other supplements, and ask the questions you've been holding on to.
CACMA Tournament a Big Success Whether you win or lose, if you show up and compete you're bound to learn a lot and have a good time. The next one is in May so start planning for it now! Volunterring  New home of The Peaceful Dragon Tea House and Cultural Center Over the next several months, we are going to face a need for support such as The Peaceful Dragon has not experienced before. It will be necessary to maintain the existing school, while at the same time pouring as much time and energy as possible into the new building. There will be a strain on everyone, but whatever our own particular abilities may be, whatever time we can spare, our concern must be for two things: the building of our new school, and the health and welfare of Sifu and his family. So much has already been done, just to get ready to begin. We already have a fine history of Wu-de in our school. Now more than ever is the time to train our Wu-de! Dragon Classified Ads The holidays are one of the best times to place your ad to turn that unwanted junk into cash for neat stuff. $10 gets you 40 words. $5 more for 40 more big cash-grabbin' words. My Peaceful Dragon Experience Of course cash and neat stuff are not all there is to life. In these same pages you can express yourself - probably better than Madonna, too. Have your say and give it to Wes or Michael, or email bmk@carolina.rr.com.
One of the mainstays of our American way of life is tolerance. We are taught to tolerate that which is Other. To tolerate means "to bearäendure; to put up with." As such, it is an act of omission. We allow the Other in our culture by not actively giving hindrance to it. The disasters of September 11th do not exist in a vacuum, uncaused or unconnected by any other actions in the world. And in their immediacy and horrible finality, they call into question our assumptions about American prerogative in the world, about our moral and spiritual superiority, and about the greater meaning of Wu-de. History shows us, if we look at it openly, that the condition and behavior of individuals is mirrored in the larger society. What may be immature or thoughtless in an ignorant person becomes reckless and cruel in a nation. Even as we act, I believe appropriately, to snuff out terrorism in the world, surely we must understand that this is not equivalent to snuffing out terrorists. Surely, to be rid of terrorism, we must be rid of the causes of hatred in the world. This is the greater challenge of Wu-de, and in its way is connected to the challenge of the greater Jihad: it is an internal struggle for what is right in the individual, and ultimately what is right in a nation. Viewed in this way, tolerance seems a poor vehicle for the spiritual growth of a country with the promise of ours. As individuals, we must use our hearts and minds to good purpose, and seek a mature path, away from mere toleration and toward acceptance, away from the conditional and toward the unconditional, which comes only from a loving heart and an understanding mind. Wu-de is not something we can merely applaud in others; it does not become ours by right association. Neither do we have to be monks or statesmen, partaking of an obscure, and noble purpose and intent not open to others. We need only to begin each day where we are. We will be better. Our nation will grow. Our world will blossom. --Michael Ballantyne, Editor To contact The Peaceful Dragon: Call: (704)-544-1012
Write: The Peaceful Dragon E-mail: comments and suggestions to staff@thepeacefuldragon.com |
First, I want to thank all of
you Peaceful Dragon students who did such a great job of hosting
Grandmaster and Master Peck during their workshop here. The time
and effort you all put in to preparing for the demo, the dinner
and everything else was very evident and it paid off with a
completely successful weekend.
During the banquet on November 7th to honor Grandmaster, a special ceremony was held.
In a very emotional moment, Grandmaster promoted Sifu to Master
level. In addition, Sifu was awarded a 5th degree black belt in
kenpo. Sifu's father, Sifu Bob Sbarge, was on hand to enjoy the occasion.
Master John McSweeney will lead a half-day seminar on "Power Striking". Master
McSweeney holds a 10th degree black belt in kenpo and has nearly
50 years of experience in other martial arts including kung-fu,
judo and jujitsu. Master McSweeney was one of the original
students of the late Great Grandmaster Ed Parker, and he is
credited with having helped to formulate this popular kenpo
style. Master McSweeney can be characterized as a true
old-school gentleman whom you'll find to be funny and
entertaining, very knowledgeable, and even at 74 years of age, a
martial artist of impressive speed and power.
Our Grandmaster, "Uncle Frank" DeMaria, adopted son of Great
Grandmaster Chang, belies this opinion, and the recent three-day
workshop is proof enough of the incredible character, generosity
and skill of this man.
But that wasn't the end. Once in a blue moon, a Grandmaster or
Great Grandmaster, may introduce something new, or modify an
existing tradition. Any lesser person would surely be looked at
askance. Such is the awesome history of our school. Great
Grandmaster Chang, with his unequaled understanding of martial
arts, modified the Yang style of taiji, so that today we enjoy
the truly unique Chang Shih Taijiquan with its blend of taiji and
shuai chiao applications hidden in beautiful movement.
This Fall's CACMA (Carolinas
Association of Chinese Martial Arts) tournament was attended by
many Peaceful Dragon students, some competing and others cheering
them on. As usual, Sifu judged in many of the events. The long
day included lots of demonstrations by various teachers, plus
competitive events in tai chi, kung-fu forms, weapons and
sparring. Fewer of our students competed than usual because the
tournament came right on the heels of the long weekend with
Grandmaster, but as usual our students who competed did well.
