July, 2001

Sifu went to New York with Debra on June 22nd to spend ten days with Grandmaster. He will be training as always, and expects that we will not neglect our own training in his absence.He looks forward to seeing everyone when he returns. In the meantime, Disciple level students will lead classes and, with your help, work to keep The Peaceful Dragon running smoothly. This is a good opportunity for all of us to reflect on our training and be more aware of how much of it is really internal - our perceptions, feelings, commitments, and so on, which so deeply affect our progress both in and out of class. Good training to everyone!

Picnic! The Peaceful Dragon will be closed on July 4th. Butäwe are having our annual Dragon Picnic at the community center in Pineville (by the lake where we used to practice before the tea house was built.) So, everyone please come from 2pm until ? for lot's of good food, good company, and of course the by now traditional game of Shaolin Football! (For those who actually take Shaolin, this counts as class - for others, it's extra credit!) If you're helping with set up, etc., you'll need to be there earlier - talk to Shawn. There is a sign-up sheet at the front counter for those who are bringing a dish to share. Adult donation is $10, children 6 - 10 $5, and baby dragons free. This is such a nice time, please don't miss it!

Let's Talk: The discussion this month is „Living In Accord With The Tao¾, July 11th, 8:00pm - there may be some insights into the importance of socks, and other aspects of lifestyle, and the challenges of learning to live and maintain a balanced life.

2001 U.S. Chinese Kuoshu Championships, Friday - Sunday, July 27th - 29th
Location: Hunt Valley Marriott, MD; (410) 785-7000. Check the US Chinese Kuoshu Federation website for a printable registration form. The word is that the cheaper rooms are gone, but if you haven't nailed down your arrangements yet, there's still time. Check around, there may be a space available with somebody who's already booked. Don't wait to make your car-pool or other travel arrangements, either. Review the bulletin board and last month's newsletter for details of the tournament.

Annual Peaceful Dragon Barbecue, Wednesday, July 4th starting at 2pm
This is always a fun event no matter what happens. We've been rained on, chased by geese, and cracked heads open playing footballäso, the fact that the bathrooms will be closed should not slow this group down one bit. Actually, we looked into renting a Porta-Jon but it was expensive and the liability was high. If you know somebody who has one or can obtain one free AND can get it to and from the picnic site, please see Shawn or Melanie. Shawn has a sign-up list for you to tell us what dish you plan to bring. Donation is still only $10 per adult, $5 for children 6 - 10, and 5 and under free.

Third Annual Mountain Tai Chi Retreat, Friday - Monday, September 21st - 24th
For the third year, our retreat is at the very peaceful YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. Relax and revitalize your spirit with a long weekend of concentrated training in tai chi, yoga, meditation and chi kung under the instruction of Sifu Sbarge. The retreat is in the North Carolina mountains only a couple of hours from Charlotte. Lodging and meals are included in this comfortably rustic setting. Former retreat attendees give it high marks; it's definitely not an event to miss.

Click here for pictures from a previous retreat

If you've never done tai chi or the related arts, this is a perfect chance to discover how great they can make you feel. And if you're already a student of these arts, four days of intense uninterrupted training can help you break through barriers and reach new levels in your skill and understanding. Everyone is welcome: students, members, friends and family.

Hours are from 1pm Friday, September 21st - 4pm Monday, September 24h. Directions are available at The Peaceful Dragon or by calling the Assembly directly at (828) 669-8497. Make your reservations now at the front counter. $339 for students; $459 for members. (Remember, anyone can become a member for $19.95 and receive our member discount; or become a student and get the full student discount!

If The Peaceful Dragon has to cancel the retreat for any reason, everyone who registered will get a full refund.

Pakua workshops With Master Park Bok Nam, Deepen your understanding of this high-level art. Saturday, August 11th, 11am - 5pm, $100. Friday, August 10th, 7 - 9pm, $30, specific defense applications. Take both days for $120. Add $20 if you wait until the day of the workshop.

Master John McSweeney Kenpo Workshop, Saturday September 29 Mark your calendar now for this intensive applications workshop Saturday, Sept 29th. Master McSweeney is Grandmaster DeMaria's kenpo teacher, and this workshop will focus on fighting applications. Be aware that Master McSweeney is giving this workshop in New York, so let Sifu know if you are interested as space will be limited. This is a rare opportunity to study under one of Grandmaster's still living teachers. More details will be provided later.

The Online Store is Open for Business!
The Peaceful Dragon has opened a storefront on the net where you can shop for teas, soaps and bath products, clothing, yoga and meditation supplies, and coming soon - tea pots, and kung fu and tai chi supplies. Take a look at www.thepeacefuldragon.bigstep.com.

Read All About It
The American Center for Chinese Studies (A.C.C.S.) has posted its first newsletter! Grandmaster Grand DeMaria welcomes everyone, with the news that it has been 48 years in preparationä So don't waste any time, go to www.kungfu.org and have a look. While you're reading, don't forget to browse this excellent site for information about your art, your lineage, and your teachers.

August Discussion Group
Many students and other interested persons ask what they should read to learn more about tai chi, or meditation, or fighting applications such as chin na.Ý Plan for the discussion coming in August, "Books And Resources For Further Study" which is sure to help answer these questions.

And Now a Few Reminders
bout stuff you don't think is important now, but will probably need to ask about sooner or later:

Student Essays give you a chance to sound off, with the advantage that nobody can interrupt you. There is a length limit that we haven't paid too much attention to, the editor will be tickled to help if you need it, and we're sure you've got something to say that the rest of us will benefit from. Give your draft to Wes, or to the editor, or email bmk@carolina.rr.com.

Classified Ads at The Peaceful Dragon are the cheapest around, $10 for 40 words and $5 for 40 more if you've got a lot to sell. And they really work! Sifu even sold that old truck. See Wes or George.

Did you notice the subliminal reference to Vitamins and Herbal Supplements in the opening sentence? The NOW Company also carries high quality health foods and cosmetics.Ý Their stuff is a deal, not to be matched elsewhere. If you use any of these products, at least check out the catalog and compare. Yes, we care about your health and happiness, or we wouldn't keep bringing this up.

Yes. Do some. You'll be glad you did. For example, if you come to day classes your help is especially valuable for work that can't be done in the evening. See Melanie

I'll never be much of a fighter - I don't have the mind, or the body, or the heart for kicking and punching. On the other hand, I believe I do have a warrior spirit, and at The Peaceful Dragon I find plenty of battles to wage.

Here's a sampling of ongoing challenges, along with ongoing lessons:

Ego, Part I
My husband, David, and I started classes here the day the school opened. I remember looking around and realizing I was the oldest, fattest, most inept person in the room, a title I can usually still lay claim to. Add to that an unflattering uniform in an unflattering color, being drenched in sweat with mascara down to my collar bones, and you have a babelicious factor of 0. Lesson: Get over yourself. No one cares.

Ego, Part II
I've always thought of myself as a smart person. I did well in school, can program a VCR, and know my way around a computer. But it takes me forever to learn the simplest move. Sometimes I need to hear an instruction, literally, dozens of times. When Sifu gets that exasperated tone of voice and says, "Some of you are still..." there's no need to wonder who he's talking about. He's talking about me. Lesson: It's not a competition or a test.

The Power of Limits, Part I
There is only so much this middle-aged body can do. I'll never be able to support myself on my elbows, or arch over backwards. I'll never be as graceful or as flexible or as strong as a lot of students. Heck, it's a good class if I don't hurt myself. Lesson: I'm lucky to have a healthy body that can move and stretch and play.

The Power of Limits, Part II
When we first started, an hour of tai chi left me ready for the rest home. Now I can go for three hours of class; I'm tired, but I'm not comatose. I used to think getting your leg on the high bar was for younger folks, but after a couple of months of pakua, I could do it. And at last year's tai chi retreat, I made it all the way up to the top on an afternoon hike (sharing an inhaler with Len, my fellow asthmatic, Kim kindly keeping us company). It took our happy band an hour longer than it took Sifu and his, but we made it! Lesson: Truly, you don't know what you can do until you try.

New Worlds to Conquer
There are so many new things to think about. Why does adjusting your hands only an inch or so open or shut down the inner flow of energy? Why do some movements affect your personality and temperament? How do they speed your spiritual path? What does sinking really mean? How can I use what I've learned to help other people? Which left foot? And why do Sifu's moves look so beautiful and precise and mine look like I'm waving spaghetti? Lesson: You'll never be done, and you'll never be bored.

- - - - -

Being bored is an insult to oneself.

--Jules Bernard (1864 - 1910)

"Beings are the owners of their [karma], heir to their [karma], born of their [karma], related through their [karma], and have their [karma] as their refuge. [Karma] is what creates distinctions among beings."

"Intention, I tell you, is [karma]. Intending, one does [karma] by way of body, speech, & intellect."

-- The Buddha
translated from the Pali Canon
by Thanissaro Bhikku in The Wings To Awakening

To contact The Peaceful Dragon:

Call: (704)-544-1012

Write: The Peaceful Dragon
8324 Pineville-Matthews Road No.509
McMullen Creek Market
Charlotte, NC 28226

E-mail: comments and suggestions to staff@thepeacefuldragon.com