Early flight, 7:55 am. I not sure sleep was an issue. The hotel packed a ”to go” breakfast which made it as far as an airport trash bin.
Airport security was quite intrusive, my pat down was as rigorous as some massages I have had but with no smile. Poor Ross was dismayed because they took his tiny nail scissors. On the other hand, I forgot my clip knife in my pocket and quickly threw it into the side pocket of my carry-on bag. They scanned the bag twice along with my CPAP machine but didn’t find the knife; I tried not to smile as I quickly left security.
I was happy that Master Chen and his wife rejoined us at the airport. I was dismayed because my Chinese is so limited. In spite of that, I always enjoy his company and Mrs. Chen always managed to be funny and motherly proving that language was no barrier; mom are moms no matter where.
We arrived in Cheng du, Szechuan Province, about 3 PM, after a three hour flight. By now I’m in full tourist mode and accepting all of the challenges that my walking impairment provided. Practicing our Taiji form posed some problems as I tried to quickly reconnect after 6 + months of recuperation plus adjusting to the nuances introduced by Master Chen.
After checking into our hotel, Country Villa Hotel, there was some debate as to when we would go to the Qing Chen Mountain (Qīngchéng Shān), a most important Taoist shrine, or practice. It was late afternoon as we headed to the abbey. The walk to the abbey was about 5 blocks up a gradual incline, a wide paved road with wide sidewalks on either side. The sidewalks to the abbey were bordered by tropical flowers and trees; as we went up on our right there were a series of dark wood buildings an obviously part of a compound and on our left, past the hotel parking lot, and below us was a small stream. The buildings on the right changed into a series of large connected structures facing a large paved promenade in front.
It hadn’t dawned on me yet that we were going to a Taoist abbey and more over I had no real clue to the expanse of Taoism. Until now my experiences were either from reading (a lot) and input from various instructors. More or less, since my “Hippy days” I have played down the U.S. cultural fascination with foreign quests for “new age enlightenment”. I do what I do because it makes sense to me plus the integration of Taiji practice is consistent with Taoist philosophy as I know it. Now was time for me to change.
The front steps of the abbey was the home of a large ornamental urn and two large stone guard dogs. The large doors to the abbey were additionally protected by two large colorful fierce demon gods. There were symbols carved, written, drawn everywhere surrounding the entrance not to mention vendor stalls lined on both sides of the abbey entrance. Like a child, I gawked at everything from the intricate wood designs on pillars, posts; roof tops and shingles, including fire extinguishers and trash bins with Taiji tú symbols stamped on them.
We enter up a step series of stone steps and through two sets of large wooden doors into a small dark open court yard backed by a brick stage like platform. As we enter the courtyard we pass a concession table selling candles and incense, just past this table is two large waist high rectangular tables for burning incense and candles; occasionally the attendant strikes a deep mellow sounding gong.
We were lead through a narrow anteroom lined with dark carved wooden chairs into a small reception room again lined with similar style chairs. In the middle was a long low heavy rectangular “coffee” table of the similar wood surrounded on three sides by wooden couches. The two outside walls held narrow French (casement) windows, the opposite long side wall contained built in bookcases while the end wall, near where we entered, held several poster sized photos of the Abbess with some sort of dignitaries.
We are shepherded by two women, a young woman who served us tea and an older woman who sat with us while the table was filled with bowls of fruit and peanuts. We sat quietly murmuring amongst ourselves. My spiritual fantasy was broken when the older woman got up to answer her iPhone.
The Abbess, a small woman with a small round cantaloupe shaped head distinguished with two bright sparkling eyes and dressed in a black robe, entered the room quietly and immediately engaged our Laoshi (teacher) in a conversation. As we had become accustomed, Harrison Laoshi was our language intermediary as they were obviously talking about us. “Why do you bring me such picky people” she says to Harrison as he reports to us, “they are too polite to eat”. We immediately begin to shell peanuts, drink more tea, and eat the other fruit. At this point she smilingly chided him for interpreting what she says, “How can I talk about them if you are going to tell them everything I say?” We all laugh.
Our audience with the Abbess lasts more than an hour as we became comfortable with each other. A key selling point for our trip was that we would practice 5 hours a day and we had not practiced yet. Standing behind the couches, Master Chen led us through a modified Qigong set for about half an hour; it was the beginning of twilight. Outside, although it was the late aspect of dusk, we noted that the large plaza was almost empty, no tourists, and no staff; just quiet. What an opportunity! Dark or no dark we practiced in the empty plaza. It was difficult to see Master Chen but a fulfilling and a very calming experience. We made our way back to the hotel by way of cell phone lights.
We ate dinner in the hotel. I don’t remember who ordered or what ate; I like Chinese food and always enjoyed eating. Szechuan cuisine is noted to be hot and peppery this was the first time the issue of dietary preferences became important to the group. Most significant, Jacob reported that Jim was sick.