I really enjoyed this piece Caroline, especially these statements, That what has come before should educate and inform that which comes after, is of prime importance. If we have no elders, however flawed, to trust and learn from, we have no roots. I am doing my best to become a good elder, before I become an ancestor, and I do that through continuing to learn and practice, by sharing practical knowledge and by writing." I am fully immersed in my ancestry right now and have learned so very much about those who've come before me. I am fortunate to still have my mother to talk with about my ancestors and - as you said - I strive to share as much of my gained knowledge as possible.
Also...thank you for including the audio version of your essay, it was a pleasure to listen to.
This is beautiful writing! I will be at the event in Glasgow and I look forward to that evening. I have been interested in learning/practicing T’ai Chi for a while, and your posts have energised this- not as an easy fix but a path that is worth taking. Even you started somewhere with this, and I wonder on the importance of finding a ‘good’ or ‘right’ teacher, or whether any type of instruction (received in the right way) can benefit.
I have a copy of a book by Cheng Man-ch’ing, for so long I’m not sure when or how I came to own. I wonder what you think about trying to learn from a book vs group classes etc.
Also I read the link to the article about fear, at least that was the main theme for me. Again this is something linked, not an easy fix to address behaviour at some level to act without fear, but maybe something that can reduce through awareness.
I really enjoyed this piece Caroline, especially these statements, That what has come before should educate and inform that which comes after, is of prime importance. If we have no elders, however flawed, to trust and learn from, we have no roots. I am doing my best to become a good elder, before I become an ancestor, and I do that through continuing to learn and practice, by sharing practical knowledge and by writing." I am fully immersed in my ancestry right now and have learned so very much about those who've come before me. I am fortunate to still have my mother to talk with about my ancestors and - as you said - I strive to share as much of my gained knowledge as possible.
Also...thank you for including the audio version of your essay, it was a pleasure to listen to.
This is beautiful writing! I will be at the event in Glasgow and I look forward to that evening. I have been interested in learning/practicing T’ai Chi for a while, and your posts have energised this- not as an easy fix but a path that is worth taking. Even you started somewhere with this, and I wonder on the importance of finding a ‘good’ or ‘right’ teacher, or whether any type of instruction (received in the right way) can benefit.
I have a copy of a book by Cheng Man-ch’ing, for so long I’m not sure when or how I came to own. I wonder what you think about trying to learn from a book vs group classes etc.
Also I read the link to the article about fear, at least that was the main theme for me. Again this is something linked, not an easy fix to address behaviour at some level to act without fear, but maybe something that can reduce through awareness.
Thank you for writing this in a new year. Your words give breathing space around what is so difficult in being female in this present culture.