Going Back to School
by Dr. Neil McRitchie B.Sc, D.C.
Winnipeg,
Canada
So here it was, May 2004. It?s 1 week before GM?s arrival and we are
frantically preparing for his visit . Our students had been versed on
etiquette and proper protocol for several months now. The exhibition and the
seminars had been organized to what we thought was the most minute details.
Sightseeing, shopping and even a 2-day getaway to a remote lake cabin was
arranged for this annual visit by Grandmaster. We were ready!
There was only one thing we could not prepare for, and that was the horrible
snow storm that landed in Winnipeg only 3 days before his expected arrival.
This was followed by 90 cm. of rainfall during the week of his visit to
Winnipeg. (that?s a heck of a lot of water for you non-metric folks) The
ditches were a flow, my yard was a vast lake, and ducks had even moved into
the marshland of my yard, to roost.
After a lengthy 6 months of cold snow, we were languishing in unusually warm
spring weather, so this return of snow and cold rain did not do anything for
our spirits. That is until Grandmaster arrived. Although the 90 cm of rain
pretty much ruined even our most well thought out plans, we got through it
by swapping magic tricks, telling jokes and of course training as often as
we possibly could. We will never forget the impromptu push hand class, in
our basement at 1 am, with Grandmaster and us in our pajamas.
At our home GM would always have several groups training at once, with each
one working on something important. Attention to detail, personal
instruction and constructive advise is the hallmark of Grandmasters teaching
style. And, no one is ever made to feel left out. He always goes out of his
way to encourage the hard working students and inspire them to perfect the
CLF and Tai chi arts. This important lesson is always emphasized during and
after each teaching session. That was an important teaching principle that I
have learned from watching our Grandmaster teach, and I try to emulate his
teaching style in my classes also.
One afternoon, while training GM asked me to demonstrate the ?Coiling Dragon
3-Section stick?. After my performance he paused and said ?not bad?.
I blew a sigh of relief, but noted a funny smile on his face.
He said, ?you know that the opposite of not bad, is not good? It is not
good.?
He chuckled and said he would give me a grade of Not Bad Plus, as it was
better than saying Not Good Minus.
It still makes me laugh when I think about his grading system.
Grandmaster is very good at giving positive criticism in a way that
encourages you to try harder without breaking your spirit. He also reminded
me daily to challenge myself, and expected a level of commitment towards
training that was exemplary. His words carry weight, and deeply affect my
sense of self-belief. I have just begun to know Grandmaster on a personal
level, and I am thankful that he has shared so much knowledge and wisdom
with us in this short period.
In the down times between training sessions, Grandmaster would pull out his
trusty compass and begin to rearrange furniture and statues in accordance to
Feng Shui principles. This of course amused our cats to no end, and gave
Simo and Grandmaster an excuse to go shopping for the proper knick knack to
balance the energy of the home. In the final tally, the house felt much
warmer and balanced after his much appreciated efforts to harmonize our
residence.
It was the other day that I was at my day job, as a Chiropractor and
Acupuncturist, and a good patient came to say goodbye to us. He had just
been accepted to a prestigious college in the U.S., with full scholarship
status. He was elated. This was not just any school. This was Harvard. A
chance in a lifetime to attend a prestigious program with the highest level
of technical excellence.
We said our goodbyes.
Driving home that night I thought about my friend, and was sad to see him
go.
Then all of a sudden I felt total joy.
It was because I realized that I had been, in essence, accepted to Harvard
also. To me, the acceptance and training under Grandmaster is the equivalent
of being in any college of the highest merit.
The promotional materials of Grandmaster?s school have the following motto:
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, TRADITION These are powerful words, and not many can
claim these traits legitimately. I remind my students daily that we are
fortunate, and even a bit lucky, to have someone like Grandmaster to inspire
and motivate us along our own personal paths of development.