Tai Chi Gala & The Intuitive Arts Retreat

10/10/2024

The Two Hats
Discuss Living and Dying and Cancer
Part 2.
This is the second installment of our discussion with my long time friend Stephen Watson who is dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. Our discourse is about how he is facing these challenges and making use of his Taoist beliefs to make the best of the situation.
Part One can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/cCAFVqN34mbFJfqM/
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John: What are some of the things that you are doing to as you say practice dying?

Stephen: Well, in the past I had quite a bit of control of day to day things. When I was in the hospital, I was not in control, food, water, going to the bathroom were not really something I had control of. I had an ah ha moment of sorts in which I saw how even in life we are really not as in control as we think we are. Even though I am not in control I can and do have influence. Having this influence can allow me to participate in the process of the changes that are happening.

John: Can you influence when or if you will die from cancer?

Stephen: Oh, no I did not mean that. We can choose and have some influence in how we die, the way we act or how we feel about it, but not really when we die, no one does that really. I think once we realize it happens practicing dying also means learning to surrender to the moment.

John: So, you think just give up at the moment of death? I am not sure that is what you are saying is it?

Stephen: What I want to be able to do is actively participate in the process of surrendering when I know it is inevitable. It will not be that something is being taken from me, but it will be that I am choosing to release it.

John: So, you would when there is no other choice release, let go and surrender to the moment of death than try to vainly fight against it. That makes sense to me. I do not think most people who have not studied the Dao and other eastern philosophies can easily grasp. Many people are angry when faced with what you are facing.

Stephen: I have learned that anger is born of frustration and frustration arises from having expectations. There is no road to anger if you do not begin with expectations. With my cancer I am working to not have expectations and so I do not resent or feel angry.

John: This is a very Daoist and Zen attitude. It will be very foreign to many people. It seems you are working towards or have already learned to live in the now and not project fears and concerns into a future that does not really exist except in the mind.

Stephen: This is a work in progress. It seems to be the most appropriate way for me at this time as it fits with my philosophy of life.

John: So what changes have you made in your life as you go forward.

Stephen: Really I have changed very little. I made no radical changes. I was not doing lots of things that are bad for me before so I did not change much at all. Some people who are close to me or know me are surprised by that, but I am going forward with life and not letting this stop me from being me. I am on the way or The Path and that is the Dao.

John: So, in Texas when someone says are you ready we jokingly say, “I was born ready.” I think that applies to both living and dying.

Stephen and John: both laugh.

Discover Stephen Watson:
https://www.patreon.com/SomedayFarm

Help a deserving friend.
My long time friend Stephen Watson is dealing with a diagnosis of cancer which is costing him an enormous sum of money. So much so that he may have to sell his home and farm to pay the exorbitant medical expenses. There are many more medical procedures he has to go through to survive. If you can help him here is a link to a GoFundMe page where you can donate. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Thank You
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-stephes-cancer-fund-save-someday-farm?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Stephen was interviewed by Taijiquan instructor Violet Li in the TaichiExaminer.
If you wish to watch the full interview here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00k9niHcrgg

Discover John Painter:
www.thegompashop.com

09/21/2024

My Life In The Chinese Internal Arts
A student on social media asked who I was and why I was posting about the internal arts. It was then I remembered that every 10 years there is a new group of people who have no idea about those who came before them. My friends and students over 40 know about my background and contributions to these arts through magazines, videos, books and social media.
This short video is a quick composite of film clips and photos to provide some information about my involvement in this field for those who do not know me. I do hope it is entertaining and of interest and that it serves to make new friends in the Chinese internal martial, health and healing arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_DmWdGuG4

To know more please visit www.thegompashop.com. It’s been a long and winding road for my career and it is not over yet. Thank you for your kind attention.
John P. Painter PhD ND.

My Life In The Chinese & Tibetan Internal ArtsA student on social media asked who I was and why I was posting about the internal arts. It was then I remember...

09/19/2024

Dear Friends,
This is an interview about Master Jou, Tsung-Hwa and the website I created to honor my good friend who was very instrumental in helping all of the Chinese internal arts grow in the west. I do hope you will take the time to watch this and then visit the website as it is a piece of Taijiquan history so many today know little about.

Here is a link to the website: https://masterjoulegacy.com/

Here is the link to my interview:
https://violetlitaichi.com/master-jou-tsung-hwa-a-tai-chi-legacy-through-the-eyes-of-dr-painter/

Recently, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. John Painter about Master Jou, Tsung Hwa, a Tai Chi legend of the 20th century. During our conversation, Dr. Painter shared some delightful stories abo…

06/18/2024

Tai Chi and Chinese internal arts students and teachers. Here is a recent interview with Tai Chi Journalist and amazing internal arts instructor Violet Li talking with me about the fabled Tai Chi Farm and my adventures with Master Jou, Tsung-Hwa. My student and I recently completed a huge website honoring my late friend Master Jou and his contributions to the proliferation of Tai Chi in the West. I hope you enjoy the interview and will click the link at the end of the video to visit the website. You will see photos and videos of many legendary teachers now gone into the void and prominent current living teachers, plus a collection of instructional news letters written by Master Jou himself.
Please enjoy and share with a friend.
https://violetlitaichi.com/master-jou-tsung-hwa-a-tai-chi-legacy-through-the-eyes-of-dr-painter/.

06/15/2024

Want To See What Tai Chi was like before social media, before the internet distracted you from training. Come visit, read and watch the goings on at the famous Tai Chi Farm. All this and more can be found on our new website honoring the Chinese internal arts.
Master Jou, Tsung-Hwa Tai Chi Legacy
www.masterjoulegacy.com
Please Share This Link With All Your Friends

06/06/2024

Please visit us soon.
www.thegompashop.com
Books, Videos, Training Products, Free News Letters and more..

04/15/2024

Some exceptional people perhaps can copy movements from a video or Zoom presentation, but this is not the same as teaching a student one on one. It certainly is not a medium for certifying anyone as a teacher of Taijiquan or any other internal martial art.

04/11/2024

Those interested in this please share on your page and groups.

03/28/2024

Your Bagua Mat also comes with an instruction sheet containing:
 interpretation of the symbols
 instructions for care
 suggested training exercises
Limited supply so order now!
www. thegompa.com/shop/product/bagua-mats/

03/22/2024

A Short but pithy Two Hats for You.

03/21/2024

The Two Hats
Zen and Tao Conversations For The Path

Stephen: Why are you working so hard in the heat of the day.

John: The plants I am tending need my attention now.

Stephen: Yes, but aren’t you almost 80? Why are you still working?

John: Because, I am still here and able to move and the plants are here and cannot.

Stephen: Ok, but why are you working in the hot sun?

John: (Pointing up) Because the sun is there.

Stephen: So you and the plants need the sun, I see now.

John: Heaven and Earth nurture all things.

Stephen: Yes, I think we should act without counting on the results and perhaps strive for success without dwelling on it. Do you agree?

John: Of course we wish a result to happen, but we must be willing to accept what comes even after our hard work and do what must be done without complaining about it.

Stephen: Work until the work is done and then retire, yes that is a good path.

John: Emaho my friend.
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Discover John Painter:
www.thegompashop.com

Discover Stephen Watson:
https://www.patreon.com/SomedayFarm
Can You Help My Tao-Pal
My long time friend Stephen Watson is fighting cancer which is costing him an enormous sum of money. So much so that he may have to sell his home and farm to pay the exorbitant medical expenses. There are many more medical procedures he has to go through to survive. Stephen is a very skilled teacher of philosophy, meditation and Chinese martial arts as well as Aikido. If you can help him in his struggles here is a link to a legitimate GoFundMe page where you can donate. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Thank You
John P. Painter

03/09/2024

The world of Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is changing rapidly.