Seminar Information - 2009
8Day trainings
For 8day trainings there are 2 parts: first 4 days for people who already know the Short-form and are in the process of learning the Long-form. The next 4 days are for those who already know the Long-form and are in the process of learning, or have already learnt, the quickfist. Note: There is no longer any provision for those not yet learning the Long-form.
It is a condition for the 8day trainings that students have read "spiritual reality", so that they understand that i teach, as did my teachers, with the intention of inner evolution and not outer accumulation.
The 8day seminars have always been open in the sense that if people know the forms to the required degree then they can attend. In the 8day seminars i teach more of the details of the forms and patterns which relative beginners need, although the mass of details and large variety of exercises i taught in the first 7 years from 1992 to 1999 must now be learnt from my older students, as i no longer focus my teaching on that body level.
Euro-seminars
For the residential euro-seminars, i choose new students from people who have been attending the 8 day seminars, so that i can get to know the student and decide whether they will suit the atmosphere of these residential seminars. People need to at least know all the forms (short, long and quick) and the 8 basic pushing hands. For the sake of the senior students, i only allow in a small number of new students each year. It is a difficult decision for me each time as there are perhaps 30 to 40 people around europe waiting to get in. It is just not possible to accept all who want to come.
For these euro-seminars i also ask now that students know and practise the meditation as we teach it, or something similar (then they should discuss it with me). This is so that we all practise internally in a harmonious manner.
At the euro-seminars i direct my teaching to the most senior (20 years taiji and 10 to 15 years training with myself) people, on the level of the mind and beyond. For the senior students i have now changed my method from explaining everything in detail to just giving answers according to the questions, so that the senior students can actively refine their own understanding. Because younger students need more direction in their learning, the younger students at the euro-seminars should also be studying regularly during the year, the mass of details connected with the body, with one of my senior students.
The residential euro-seminars have never been open. I have always chosen the people, taking into account their years of training, their level, their relationship to other people, their motive for training and their spiritual interest. This is in order to generate an atmosphere at those seminars suitable for internal change. That atmosphere attracts the inner help, without which all outer effort is in vain, though not all people understand this. The correct atmosphere puts an irresistible pressure on people to either find something deeper in themselves or be gently pushed out of the class. Much of my effort is directed towards maintaining this atmosphere and the consequent pressure in support of the Deepmind of the students.
4Day-extra-trainings
Everything i teach is available in the 8day trainings and euro-seminars but to further help those senior students who have been training sincerely at the euro-seminars for the last 14 years (the first one was in 1995), i will occasionally create, at short notice, some 4day-extra-trainings for between 10 and 20 people, where i can assist the individual progress of these people. To keep the numbers low i may vary who attends each time.
In the last Euro-newsletter i wrote:
"Major Blocks. In the first few years of the euro-seminars I pointed out the main errors people were making in their Taiji and suggested the main things they should work on. Now again I will do the same, but, on a higher turn of the spiral, direct it towards the deep emotional state of the people. Don�t be offended if I speak directly to you."
Typically 50% of students will initially reject this information as it goes against what their brain consciousness believes about themselves. This is the problem of escaping your own self view which stems from the superficial mind.
Zuerich Small Trainings
Also available are the small-trainings arranged at various times throughout the year. The class numbers are usually less than 20, so that individual assistance can be given, as for the 4day-extra-trainings. These trainings are open to all. In 2009 there may be no Sunday-trainings, only morning 1 hour Lindenhof-trainings at dates to be decided.
Weekend Workshops
As planned and in line with the evolution of my teaching, almost all my weekend workshops have disappeared. As a replacement several of the senior students now travel to conduct weekend seminars around Europe.
Occasionally I may teach a short, perhaps unadvertised, weekend workshop for local beginners according to the situation. These are not usually intended for my older students but all are welcome to participate.
Patrick Kelly