by Cheng Tong | Jul 21, 2022 | Stillness
The major skills I teach at Blue Heron Stillness are qigong, taiji, and meditation. They all share one thing in common: the breath. Qigong exercises and taiji forms, both breath-driven, move at the pace of the breath. We begin each from a posture of stillness... 
by Cheng Tong | Jun 26, 2022 | Stillness
A student of mine, knowing of the mostly solitary life I have lived here in the northern Berkshires, recently asked me if I was happy. I have thought of that very often and very deeply since the asking. I have revisited much of my writing over the last several years... 
by Cheng Tong | Jun 18, 2022 | Stillness
We walk our path with steps determined Flashlight shined ahead. At morning wake and pray come night We’ll safely find our bed. And in between we walk our path To learn what comes that day. With eyes wide open, mind so clear We walk along our way. Our path has... 
by Cheng Tong | Dec 8, 2021 | Stillness
In Chinese painting first to learn With soft and yielding brush A grove of them so straight and tall So green and swaying lush. Stalks of green and others black Leaves of varied size When comes a storm it does not care And will not fear demise. Winds... 
by Cheng Tong | Dec 1, 2021 | Stillness
For eighteen months we came to learn Together as a pair That each was safe and simply learning How we’d come to fare. Pumpkin seeds and peanuts roasted Seemed a decent meal. I’d leave them out and wait to see Just how the squirrel’d deal. As time went on... 
by Cheng Tong | Nov 22, 2021 | Stillness
As ever in our prayers a universal wishA gracious death with no regrets.And yet in life we give no thoughtTo ever hedge our bets. In early age an arrogance thatWe will live forever.And even death upon our clanWe take no new endeavor. The moments pass without a...