Pleasantly surprised
A review of 2025
A quick 2025 review of Sam Masich Internal Arts on SubStack
Throughout the year a found myself feeling a bit dissatisfied with my writing output—that is, until I took a good look at what had actually been published. Not only had twenty pieces been sent out, many were quite serious undertakings. I particularly enjoyed the sharing essays regarding my teachers Grandmaster Y. M. Chung and Master Brien Gallagher.
During the year I corresponded with another my other dear teacher Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. In an email exchange I had shared some of my explorations with him and he closed the email by saying, “Writing is the best way of learning.”
“Writing is the best way of learning.”
I was so grateful for this comment and almost startled at how much these words moved me. Writing and researching involves many intense hours of work in solitude and really challenges one’s life balance but I love the process of learning and translating—and then creating. In this respect I found the Dantian articles very rewarding.
Here are links to the 2025 tranche of articles:
The Chen Misunderstanding, Happy New Year from Sam, Steve Higgins—In Memoriam, The Lower ‘Dantian,’ Seated Baduanjin for Taijiquan Players, Grandmaster Raymond Y. M. Chung, The Middle Dantian, Sparring Hands Song (Dashou Ge), The Upper Dantian, Yin-Yang Silk Twining Training (Chansigong), Master Brien Gallagher, Taijiquan Core Principles Masterclass: Level 2, Discussion on the Practice of Taijiquan: by Yang Chengfu, The ‘Huiyin Trick,’ Mrs. Kozak, Taijiquan Core Principles: Level 3, The Taijiquan Classic (Taijiquan Jing), Yang-style Taijiquan Push-Hands Curriculum, Taijiquan Core Principles Three: A Preview, The Middle Range
In February of 2024, I published Me, You, and the Dragon’s-eye View, a look at the yin-yang wave concept from the perspective of sound, light, seasons, breath, and the rises and falls that constitute the conditions in which we exist. Notwithstanding a few minor revisions, I feel could simply republish it in order to describe 2026. More on this soon…
I’m looking forward to a dynamic year filled with situations in which to make taijiquan more practical in daily life.
Practice, contemplate, apply—repeat!
Best wishes for this ,
Sam
