Words For Love

The first difficulty we meet in discussing anything concerning our feelings is that we have no adequate vocabulary to use. Where there is no terminology, there is no consciousness. A poverty-stricken vocabulary is an immediate admission that the subject is inferior or depreciated in that society

Sanskrit has ninety-six words for love; ancient Persian has eighty, Greek three, and English only one. This is indicative of the poverty of awareness or emphasis that we give to that tremendously important realm of feeling. Eskimos have thirty words for snow, because it is a life-and death matter to them to have exact information about the element they live with so intimately. If we had a vocabulary of thirty words for love ... we would immediately be richer and more intelligent in this human element so close to our heart. An Eskimo probably would die of clumsiness if he had only one word for snow; we are close to dying of loneliness because we have only one word for love. Of all the Western languages, English may be the most lacking when it comes to feeling.

Imagine what richness would be expressed if one had a specific vocabulary for the love of one's father, another word for the love of one's mother, yet another for one's camel (the Persians have this luxury), still another for another's spouse, and another exclusively for the sunset! Our world would expand and gain clarity immeasurably if we had such tools.

It is always the inferior function, whether in an individual or a culture, that suffers this poverty. One's greatest treasures are won by the superior function but always at the cost of the inferior function. One's greatest triumphs are always accompanied by one's greatest weaknesses. Because thinking is our superior function in the English-speaking world, it follows automatically that feeling is our inferior function. These two faculties tend to exist at the expense of each other. If one is strong in feeling, one is likely to be inferior in thinking -- and vice versa. Our superior function has given us science and the higher standard of living -- but at the cost of impoverishing the feeling function.

This is vividly demonstrated by our meager vocabulary of feeling words. If we had the expanded and exact vocabulary for feeling that we have for science and technology, we would be well on our way to warmth of relatedness and generosity of feeling.

  - by Robert Johnson

A short walk around my Alma mater

I had sone time to spare in Cork today and as my alma mater beckoned.

It was as enchanting as ever.

In September sunshine.

Still some flowers in the President's garden.

And soft foliage in every direction.

I strolled along the lower grounds 

To the bridge

By Donovan's Road Entrance.

Back up the main avenue.

Past the Glucksman Gallery ( having it's 10 anniversary this year )

Through the arch

To view once more the Ogham Stones that line The Stone Corridor ( more about them later ).

Feeling nostalgic,

As I look back on the 'Quad '

Many happy memories float across my mind as I walk back to my car.

A great trip to Castletownbere

The first mountain view when I crossed the border into Kerry.

I could feel my excitement for the views to come on this beautiful September evening.

Back in County Cork and the on the amazing Healy Pass.

Surrounded by mountains.

With stunning lake views.

My heart is filled with awe.

Wonder

And curiosity about the views to come.

Then winding down the other side.

.

I realise time has caught up with me and I must make haste to Castletownbere and T'ai Chi.

Is it any wonder I'm looking forward to my next trip West !

First Two Lessons Of The Mini Form And Warm - up Exercises

The tide came in during last evening's T'ai Chi session in Castletownbere ' locking' us in Sarah Walker's Gallery. I suppose it's one way of keeping people at a class !  As soon as Micheál

 suggested the venue I felt attracted to work there. Now we had such a great session I'm really looking forward to being back there for more T'ai Chi on  Sunday September 28'th.

Here below are the lessons , warm -ups and the Open Focus ( relaxation audio link ) I promised to upload. 

Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.

Warm up exercises from ann on Vimeo.

Turning the ball warm up from ann on Vimeo.

And here is the link to the Open focus Exercise it's a great way to relax and let go.

Open Focus Variation

Happy Practicing to all You new comers to T'ai Chi. 

 Welcome to this fascinating journey of self discovery . 

Off To West Cork

I'm off to Cork to teach a beginners class and then on to the Sarah Walker Gallery in Castletownbere for a workshop at 6pm.
So looking forward to a day of T'ai Chi and a journey to beautiful West Cork.

Learning to Let Go Of Figuring Things Out

Learning to Let Go  of all my figuring things out is an on going process for me. Trying to figure things out seems to be the default programme that runs my mind.  Since Working with Lester's Releasing method I am more conscious of this habit and at least I now notice it sooner . Figuring  things out has nothing to do with planning or solving such things as maths  etc . Figuring things out refers to that spinning that goes on in the mind when you keep asking it for some solution to an issue  over and over even though all you get is frustration. As Larry Crane ( of The Release Technique) tells us , we then beat ourselves up for not having an answer and for wasting our time looking for one.  This is a vicious circle until we become more awake to the minds habit and STOP trying to find an answer where there is none.  Letting Go or releasing allows us to calm down and focus inside, to relax and trust that the answer will find us when the time is right. It is not always easy to Let Go , our ego resists handing over control even when past experience has shown that this is more effective than rummaging around in our minds. However I am finding that the more I do it the easier it gets, eventually it will become the default programme and Figuring Things Out will be a memory from the past.

Our Magical Evening In Fitzgerald's Park

We worked on the Short Form

Partner work.

Enjoyed the ' views'. 

On this beautiful September evening.

I felt nostalgic looking back.

Heading to my car. 

It is lovely to acknowledge good times in one's life , the blessing of good people to share the love and joy of this practice. 

I am feeling really grateful for this summer , for the great weather, the amazing group who came along on Tuesday Evenings and made this a magical time. 

Much Love And Gratitude To You All.