The art of riding a broomstick
By Wilfried Belschner
In today’s mainstream society, the materialist concept of reality makes it normal to view each individual as separate from their surroundings. Meditative practices can open our percep- tion to a further reality in which everything is connected. Wilfried Belschner sees this kind of consciousness cultivation as a way out of the many crises confronting us at both individual and societal levels.
Taiji Jian – Taiji sword
Techniques and development possibilities along the Taiji path
By Jan Leminsky
The sword is the most widespread training weapon in Taijiquan. Similarly to the empty hand forms, the movements are soft and flowing and as a result the individual techniques cannot always be clearly recognised. Jan Leminsky sets out four basic categories to which sword applications have been assigned since the 17th century; on the basis of moves from the 32-move sword form he highlights the 13 techniques that result from a further differentiation.
The still revolution of Qigong in Eastern Europe
By Zuzana Šebková-Thaller and Tristan Thaller
People in the West are generally not informed about the situation of Qigong in Eastern Europe. When Zuzana Šebková-Thaller and her son Tristan Thaller were invited to a seminar with Xu Mingtang in Bratislava, they took the opportunity to find out more about the Qigong scene in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Xu Mingtang, whom some will know from previous Qigong congresses, has been the leading Qigong teacher in this region since 1991 and has made a major contribution to spreading Qigong there. Things have developed in a less institutionalised manner than in the West and there is a stronger tendency here to ›still‹ practices.
Ki Do In – on the pleasure of encountering oneself
Interview with Uwe Bujack
Ko Myong, the founder of the Korean Shinson Hapkido, has compiled exercises under the name Ki Do In which, similarly to Qigong, serve both as a form of basic training and as health promotion. In this interview with Kirsten Rick, Uwe Bujack, teacher for Shinson Hapkido and Ki Do In, sets out the special features of this training which aims to promote contact not only with oneself, with one’s own heart, but also within the group and with heaven and earth. The spectrum of exercises ranges from contemplative through to dynamic elements – some of which are done on the ground – and which are intended to harmonise body, emotions and mind in a holistic manner.
Oneness with the Dao
Discussion with Sabine Goldmann and Chaitanya Franz Pölzl
In our previous issue we initiated a discussion on what might be understood by »becoming one with the Dao«; the first contributions were from Klemens Speer und Sasa Krauter. In this issue we present two further viewpoints on the theme. Sabine Goldmann describes how she repeatedly experiences »moments of merging« on her path with still and moving Qigong exercises. Chaitanya Franz Pölzl experiences an approach to the Dao in Taijiquan as taught by Patrick Kelly, whereby the energy/technique of »peng« plays an important role.