CHU MEDITATION: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
By C.K. Chu

Chu Tai Chi/ Sunflower Press, NY, 77pages; $20 www.chutaichi.com

Master C.K. Chu, born in Hong Kong in 1937, has been teaching t’ai chi, nei kung, meditation and related disciplines in Times Square for over 29 years. I have been a regular student of his for almost four years now after studying yoga, t’ai chi, chi gong and meditation for 25 years. I have made more progress in the few years with Master Chu than in all previous 25 years elsewhere.

Master Chu offers a direct, albeit difficult, path to physical health, mental clarity and inner peace. His meditation techniques are simple yet potentially powerful. This concise yet profound book summarizes the practices he teaches in his two 10-week courses, Meditation I and Meditation II. The techniques offered are non-mystical and simple. The practice of the techniques in the book can bring you slowly and efficiently to high levels of inner growth.

The book is so clear that it doesn’t require a teacher. I have a friend in Vermont who is currently practicing solely from the instructions in the book. She meditated for years, trying many methods, but found that Master Chu offers the best instruction she has experienced. She also found this to be the only meditation practice which simultaneously increases chi (energy) flow.

The book has straightforward explanations and illustrations and should be in the library of both beginners and advanced practitioners.

--Ron Rebhuhn,

Ron Rebhuhn, PhD. teaches chi gong and t'ai chi on Long Island. He also is a USPTA Master Tennis Pro and astrologer.

Call him at (516) 334-2113

Book Review of "Chu Meditation"
By John Van Wettering

New York City. If you can meditate there you can meditate anywhere.

Of course you don't have to be in the center of Manhattan to feel completely overwhelmed. As C. K. Chu points out in the introduction to his new book "Chu Meditation" (Sunflower Press), these days anyone can feel as though their life is as hectic as Times Square (which just happens to be the location of Chu's successful Tai Chi school for over three decades). Even if you've never waited for discount theater tickets amid the gawking throngs that amass between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, all the while having your senses assaulted by blaring yellow cab horns, hotdog cart aromas, and gigantic scrolling stock quotes, it is easy to understand Mr. Chu's analogy. And fortunately for the reader, the remainder of "Chu Meditation" is just as easy to understand. For while our need for peace of mind may often be as glaringly obvious as the lights of 42nd Street, achieving it can be more elusive than orchestra seats for "The Lion King"!

"Chu Meditation" begins with a brief discussion on why meditation is beneficial, including its utility in stress relief, physical healing, chi cultivation, and clear thinking. But as far as theory goes, Mr. Chu keeps things simple and to the point. The majority of the book takes a very practical approach to its subject, providing instructions for meditative practice that guide the reader along the path to the ultimate goal of an empty mind. Mr. Chu covers everything from preparing your meditative environment, to preliminary stretching routines, and an explanation of the various meditation postures. All of this leads up to the meditation itself, which is clearly organized into five progressive steps. Also included are instructions for post-meditation self-massage techniques (which are considered a necessary adjunct to the meditation sessions), as well as some optional hand and body positions, and an interesting section on deep breathing with sound. Rounding off the book is some advice on daily practice routines (complete with an overview chart and checklist), and a helpful question and answer section. "Chu Meditation"'s simple line drawings with wash by Dan Giella complement Mr. Chu's instructions nicely.

According to Mr. Chu, the key to a successful meditation program is daily practice. He makes it clear that the higher levels of achievement in this art will not be reached quickly, and certainly not without diligent adherence to a regular routine. While at first this will require some discipline and persistence on the part of the practitioner, the initial efforts will eventually become more of a regular habit, even to the point where a hunger will develop for it, just like for good food, he assures. Throughout the book, the author does his best to keep discouragement at bay. This is exemplified by his inclusion of advice on addressing common problems, given at the end of each section on the five steps of Chu meditation. Even the frequent reminders to go back to the previous steps if you have trouble maintaining the mental alignment necessary for advancing, are given without making the reader feel as though they have failed. Mr. Chu provides further motivation through his experienced insights and straightforward instructions as the foundation of skills learned in earlier chapters is gradually built upon, and progress is made through the final stages of this rather unique brand of Taoist sitting meditation.

One of the first things that one notices upon opening the book is its parsimony. Absent are the philosophical and metaphysical excesses too often found in works of this type, which seem more often to inhibit rather than enhance one's understanding, while delaying actual practice. Mr. Chu includes only that which is necessary to convey a basic understanding of his subject and allow those who so desire to begin trying it out right away. Yet at the same time each page is rich in information. The chapter on self-massage techniques leaves virtually no part of the body unattended in an effort to spread the chi energy just like "water reaches the plant's many branches and leaves." The five step overview chart and daily practice checklist epitomize the workbook-like nature of "Chu Meditation," providing at a glance a recap of the essential points of what to do and how to do it. The Q & A chapter adds some finishing touches by anticipating any remaining concerns that the reader may have. These range from the more profound queries regarding the mental insights that come from meditation, to practical concerns such as what to do if your foot falls asleep.

The successful blend of simplicity and sophistication found in "Chu Meditation" make it a difficult book to put down. But why bother, as it is easy to read through it in one sitting (just remember to stretch your legs first!). Of course, you will likely find yourself referring back to it again and again, coming away with fresh ideas each time. "Chu Meditation" is a must have for anyone interested in beginning a meditation program, as well as for those already meditating who wish to get more out of it. So sit up straight, take a deep breath, relax, and count to ten. From these humble beginnings you may someday find the balance and harmony that Mr. Chu exudes on the book's cover, a serene look washing over your face as you sit cross-legged at the crossroads of the universe.

(Chu Tai Chi student John Van Wettering has a PhD in psychology and is a professor at Hunter College in New York.)