The greatest fortune in my life is that I have become a disciple of Master Yang Songquan

July 18, 2020, the 28th day of the 5th lunar month, the Gengzi Rat Year Guiwei Month Renxu Day, is a special day. On this day, I finally got my wish and officially became a disciple of my master.

I will always remember this day. It is a big day in my life, a day of great joy, and also the happiest and most blissful day for me.

The master said that Wuji gives birth to Taiji. I think that taking on a master is also like evolving from Wuji to Taiji. In fact, I have just entered the realm of Tai Chi. There is still a long way to go, and my journey has just begun.

It is the greatest blessing of my life that Master Yang Songquan has accepted me as his apprentice.

In the first half of my life, half was work and the other half was family. I work and live with my heart, striving to be a good employee, a good wife and a good mother. Up to now, I feel that I have basically achieved it. Both my life and work have met my expectations. However, I always feel that something is still lacking in such a life. I searched in a daze until I met Tai Chi. Suddenly, I realized what was lacking in my life.

Since I became an apprentice, I have thought a lot and gained many insights. What is the purpose of becoming a disciple? How can one practice Tai Chi well? These are the two questions that I think about the most.

I think the purpose of taking on a master is to better practice Tai Chi. By my master’s side, I can hear his teachings more often, which helps me avoid detours on the path of seeking the truth. But how to practice Tai Chi well? I have thought about this issue over and over again. The greatest truths are the simplest. The simplest way is to follow my master’s advice and practice hard. This is necessary, but it seems that it is not limited to that.

Recently, I have been practicing Tai Chi under my master in the martial arts school and have gained a lot.

The master often expounded the principles of Tai Chi and gave lectures to his disciples. I listened attentively to what the master said, thinking as I listened. Although I still have a vague understanding of most of what my master said, I believe that as long as I listen, I will gain something.

In addition to attending classes and practicing boxing, I also carefully observed the behaviors of my senior fellow practitioners and noticed many details. For instance, when entering, one should greet the master and senior fellow practitioners; when leaving, one should bid farewell to them. For instance, the small courtyard is very clean. That’s because everyone is scrambling to do the work. For instance, everyone always practices boxing and does things calmly. Even when discussing issues, they do so in a low voice.

This is the respect, tranquility and purity of Tai Chi. Master and senior fellow practitioners are putting these three words into practice through their actions. This is also my greatest realization since I became an apprentice.

I think,To master Tai Chi well, one must first learn how to be a qualified Taoist disciple.

The master always says, “The path lies beneath our feet.” The master led us into the door and placed us on the path, but how to walk and how to walk better is what we should strive to do. People often ask me: Practicing Tai Chi is too difficult and takes too long. Is there a shortcut? I was once confused about this issue too, but now I have a clear mind. There is a shortcut to practicing Tai Chi, and that shortcut is to master the basic skills well.

To be a qualified Taoist disciple is the most important basic skill, and this basic skill has three layers. The first layer is “respect”, which means respecting the master, respecting senior fellow practitioners, and respecting Tai Chi. The second layer is “purity”, a clean environment and a clean body. The third level is “stillness”, which means practicing the basic skills quietly, without being in a hurry or agitated, listening to the master’s words, and doing each movement according to the rules.

These are the first things I need to do and also the ones that must be done well.Be a good apprentice first, and then learn boxing. First, be respectful, quiet and clean, and then practice boxing.

“Promoting the Dao and cultivating righteousness” is a phrase often mentioned by the master. Over the years, we have been worn down by life and society, losing our sharp edges. To some extent, we have become less upright. Tai Chi can not only make our bodies upright, but also rectify our minds. When both our body and mind are in good condition, both our body and mind are healthy. When we are healthy, we will naturally be happy and content.

My Tai Chi life and my happy existence have officially set sail!

On the day I became my master, I kowtowed three more times. Because words can no longer express my gratitude and good fortune in my heart, only bowing my head can best convey my excitement at that time.

My dearest little senior sister is the host of my sacred apprenticeship meeting.

Sister Xie is my witness. She is the leader of our Tai Chi Songquan team. I feel very honored and extremely grateful.

Brother Xu is my witness. I feel very honored and grateful that he specially took time off to attend my master-apprentice ceremony.

My master and master’s wife gave me earnest instructions. I will surely follow my master’s teachings, practice Tai Chi well, promote the Dao and cultivate the right path, and make my own contribution to the promotion of Tai Chi.

The senior students spoke up, congratulating me and expressing their expectations for me. I will surely follow the teachings of my senior brothers and sisters, respect my teachers and value the path, follow my master and senior brothers and sisters, and follow the Songquan team to practice the old Tai Chi of the Chen family well.

My master led me to worship my ancestors devoutly. First, we pay homage to the sky; second, to the earth; and third, to the Tai Chi master Chen Zhaopi, asking our ancestors to bless our Tai Chi Songquan team.