Greetings..
I had resolved myself to avoid this issue, but.. i feel equally responsible to set the record straight..
History: I came to Wah Lum in 1990 bringing my son, Sam, to begin his training in what i believed to be the most authentic Chinese training available in the area (i was right).. i spent some time in the Kung Fu program, but quickly found that Tai Chi and its application to be superior "for me"... I quickly advanced in the Tai Chi program, won several major competitions, started instructing Tai Chi students and within the first 4 years had MC's confidence.. the next 5 years were spectacular, insightful, and greatly beneficial for me.. MC took time and patience with several others and myself to advance our Tai Chi skills and personal lives.. MC brought many world famous Masters to the temple and much was learned/shared.. At some point, and i'm not sure when, Suzy Chan decided to assume the leadership role for the Tai Chi program.. that was the beginning of the end for me and several others.. years of hard work and dedication were discarded in favor of Suzy's "interpretation" of Tai Chi.. That being said, i must qualify that statement by saying that Suzy has a profound and beautiful understanding of "movement", she has a reasonably strong internal power.. but, by my own understanding, a poor "interpretation" of the "essence" of Tai Chi.. and, and even poorer understanding of people skills..
The Events: I approached MC about an invitation i had received to do a seminar for a local Tai Chi group.. after some discussion, MC allowed me to teach the seminar.. some months later i approached MC about teaching some classes downtown at a local Wellness Center, again he allowed me to do so.. Now, after beginning to teach the downtown classes, Suzy found out that i had taught the seminar and was gravely concerned.. She pulled me aside and said that she had lost faith in me and that had betrayed Wah Lum.. now, here is where i may have erred.. i did not tell her that i had also received permission to be teaching the downtown classes (her negative response to the seminar was too frightening to add fuel to the fire).. none the less, i had signed up for this journey under MC and felt allegiance only to him.. Then the inevitable, Suzy found out that i was teaching downtown.. this was the end for her, she dismissed me in front of the students regardless of my assertions that MC had given me permission.. Subsequently, in a meeting between Suzy, GrandMaster Chan Pui and me, i asked MC to explain the situation and he said he didn't remember, then he said he might not have understood what i was asking.. in short, he did not back me, he failed to honor the permission he had given.. i will not go into the antics and accusations made by Suzy at that time or my own less than honorable response to the situation.. anyhow, a short time later i offered to take a polygraph examination in front of the students to set the record straight.. this angered Suzy and she accused me of calling MC a liar, then called me a liar.. since then i have heard that she intends to obtain an injunction barring me from the Temple if i return..
So there you have it, there was fault all the way around.. but, by my own account, ultimately.. Grandmaster Chan Pui failed to honor his own word, failed to back a faithful student, and failed to control the events of his own Temple.. in a private meeting between MC and me he said he was unhappy with the events and hoped i could come back, i respectfully declined in as much as Suzy would only look for more reasons to remove me.. i asked if he could intervene on my behalf, he said.. "it no work, she boss now".. a sad legacy for a great Master..
My humble apologies to those that may be offended by this post, it is only my most sincere and truest accounting of the events that led to me leaving the Temple.. I expect, and probably deserve, some criticizm in this matter.. but my intent is to offer insight into the how life at the Temple is challenging at many levels.. Yet, no one can deny MC's greatness as an ambassador of CMA and the quality of students that have passed through those doors.. This is as much as i will discuss publicly on this matter..
Peace, and be well..
TaiChiBob.. "the teacher that is not also a student is neither"