LIster - Westport Dunes Series 2018.JPG

Ron Lister

Ron Lister

I will attempt to write something useful. I am 72 and really wish I could have met someone like Ben when I was a bit younger and my body could still do what I asked of it.

That said, I am discovering...even now...how much more I can still learn and grow. My health is being refreshed by our Tai Chi classes.

When I was at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio back in the last century, I had the most remarkable teacher ever. It was in this Eastern Religion class that I first became interested in Taoism. At first, I spent a lot of time trying to understand how Taoism could fit into my 20th century life, but I persevered.

Fifty years on, I can say that Taoism has been a wonderful choice and a great philosophy to live by.

Although I have taken a few other classes in Tai Chi, over the years, meeting Ben has been a grand experience in so many ways.

Even though I am only a little way through the Form he is teaching us, I am clearly benefiting from working with Ben.

Life is humbling and no doubt I wish for more time on Earth to keep learning, however, it is also important to focus on the present or a single moment.

Tai Chi has helped me with that..so thank you Ben for being the voice I keep hearing.

To end, I was a College Professor (teaching art) for many years. I am still painting and will pick a couple of images that I hope reflect a sense of Tao.

Westport Dunes Series 2018

Aitutaki Sunset