Back from a trip to India including a short visit to the house of Mahatma Gandhi. To walk the same floorboards, to stand on the same balcony, in the footsteps of the Great Soul, was to feel inspiration. Those today fighting for a just cause could learn from a man who used all means except violence to obtain justice. And succeeded.

Many thanks for the wonderful hospitality Marta and I received in India, especially from Gita Pandit who gave us accommodation in Mumbai, tea in Delhi, and a lot of inspiration - including the visit to the Gandhi House. We're looking forward to you resuming your studies at the Zen School!

Apart from all the fun, and the challenges of an Indian train (for those who know my mantra) we had positive results in our search to promote the school to potential shiatsu visa students. And I should mention it wasn't all work - the Taj Mahal is even more than the hype, even more than the most expected expectation, even in 47 degrees. Make it a thing to do before you die! (early morning best!!!)

Taoist Training - preparing for the Summer Retreat

This year sees changes! A new and beautiful venue near Glastonbury in Dorset with accommodation for both singles and couples and a refreshing new programme make this year's Taoist Summer Retreat a must for those on the seriously fun path to enlightenment - lighten up! A wise Taoist hearing the bookings already rolling in will be thinking of registering sooner rather than later. The Retreat (1st to 9th August) covers Steps 2 and 3 of the Foundations of Taoist Practice plus you need Step 1 to qualify - just to make sure its right for you.

If you're just starting out, or simply want to learn more about the Taoist practice, the next Foundations Step 1 is on June 21st & 22nd at the Rosewell Centre, including Taoist Sweatlodge. You learn the basics of the Inner Smile, Six Healing Sounds, Microcosmic Orbit and much more. Set in the beautiful countryside of South Lincolnshire, near Stamford - just over an hour from London by train or two by car depending on traffic, the Rosewell Centre is hosted by Sue Hix, a qualified Taoist Practitioner, offering classes in Tai Chi (including Sword and Fan forms), Chi Kung, Yoga, Pilates, Shiatsu (including horse-shiatsu), Sweatlodge and Women's Groups.

Accommodation ranges from sleeping-bag on the dojo floor, free camping in the adjacent meadow, to proper beds in nearby B&B's. Sandwich lunches can be had in the village of Castle Bytham (yes there's a castle) and on the Saturday evening Sue cooks us a delicious vegetarian feast in time to digest before the evening Sweatlodge. Sue can also organise breakfast for floor-sleepers and campers if you arrange with her beforehand - click for info and directions.

Many Taoists who began at Rosewell have said what a wonderful start it is to the Foundations. And if you've not yet experienced a Sweat-lodge, this is a nurturing and supportive introduction to a wonderful tradition shared by Taoist and Native American alike.

The next Step 1 after that, (July 26th & 27th at the London Tao Centre) is the last before the Retreat. You can making savings by registering in advance for more than one course. Click to see training dates and costs

Healing NLP

Early Bird discount (before 22nd June) is on offer for the next Society of NLP accredited Practitioner Training August 22nd to 29th. http://www.healingnlp.com Also on the web site, names and contact info for our growing number of Practitioners and Master Practitioners, including other languages spoken. Learn to master mind, starting with your own, and help others be the best they can, finding their full potential, overcoming fears and phobias, learning to understand others. Works well with healing therapies - not surprisingly as NLP began as one itself - and fits nicely with the 5-element model of oriental medicine.

Facebook etc friend requests
Many thanks to the many who have invited me to join their networks on Facebook and similar sites and I would love to do so but for the volume of requests. I really appreciate your thoughts and feel very flattered so please don't think my lack of response is personal. I've actually closed my Facebook account because the deluge of messages got too much to cope with. I already spend too long looking at liquid crystal. Consider me a friend anyway!

best

Kris

To be a Taoist Trainer

More Changes in the Tao - becoming a Taoist Trainer

Many people who've shown interest in climbing the ladder to becoming a Taoist Trainer have, up till now, had to consider the potential effect on personal relationships of the requirement to work in pairs from Step 6 onward. They've also had to cope with the effect on their resources of numerous course repetition and assisting requirements.

Here at the London Tao Centre we have stated our intention to make courses more accessible, in line with current education and training methods. We want more people to qualify so we can spread the benefits of the Tao that has benefitted us. Everyone can become a more effective human being, even if their only practice is the Inner Smile at the morning mirror.

So, as of now, Steps 6 and 7 are optional and no longer pre-requisite for Step 8. (We will continue to offer tantric training as a separate stream for couples. The next is in September, details soon.)

Step 8 will be dedicated to individual "Trainer Training," to include personal assessments of knowledge and ability to pass it on. This takes into account individual learning and teaching ability rather than simply turning up and being there.

On successful completion of Step 8's 4-day training you will either receive your Taoist Trainer Licence to teach Steps 1 to 4 without any further post-requirements, or be asked to repeat/assist specific course/s to reach an acceptable teaching standard. For the sake of clarity, outcomes will be defined so that everyone knows and can agree on standards - more on this in the future.

Pre-requisites for Step 8 are a) to have attained Taoist Practitioner (TP) status and b) after attaining TP, just one series of assisting once on each of Steps 1 to 5, plus Taoist Shamanic Healing and the Tai Chi Summer Camp

To achieve Taoist Practitioner status you can take a simple assessment after completing Step 5. This assessment will be of your ability to:

demonstrate the Tai Chi form and explain the applications;

demonstrate and explain the basic structures of Iron Shirt Chi Kung;

demonstrate an understanding of and ability to explain and demonstrate the Jade Circle or Jade Arrows practices.

If you've completed Step 5 in the past you can take your Taoist Practitioner Assessment at the upcoming Tai Chi Camp 15th to 20th July at the Rosewell Centre

In summary: A Taoist Practioner will have completed Steps 1 to 5 and, after successful assessment, be authorised to teach Basic Tai Chi, Intermediate Chi Kung, and Jade Circle or Jade Arrows.
A Taoist Trainer will have assisted on Steps 1 to 5, Taoist Shamanic Healing and Tai Chi Summer Camp, and, after satisfactorily completing Step 8 Training & Assessment, receive the London Tao Centre Trainer Licence to teach Steps 1 to 4.

I will update the web site to reflect these changes which I hope will inspire a new and dynamic generation of Taoist Practitioners and Trainers, confident in their proven knowledge and ability to impart these wonderful practices to others. This is already happening in the networking of the Jade Circle.

Learn more