“Global Village, Conscience in All” Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy-San Jose 12th Anniversary And Launch of the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience

(by Yaping Hsu, San Jose, U.S.)

Milpitas City Mayor Jose Esteves presenting a proclamation letter to TJM, commending them for their efforts in raising awareness and spreading peace and kindness in the community.

      Tai Ji Men is a traditional menpai (similar to school) of martial arts and qi gong.  Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, inherited wisdoms of patriarchs from generations and founded Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in 1966.  Dr. Hong teaches his dizi (similar to students) the principle of yin and yang, and heart kungfu, which is to unite heart and qi into one.  Tai Ji Men, an international non-profit charitable and cultural organization, its dizi believe that “nourish the true nature of the universe and follow the way of the true ones of all ages,” and dedicate to promoting Chinese culture, physical, mental and spiritual health.  Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy – San Jose, established in 2000, celebrated the 12th anniversary on Aug. 17, together with the launching ceremony of the declaration for the movement of An Era of Conscience.  The other overseas Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy is in Los Angeles area.

       In the face of heightening international tension, risk can be triggered at any moment.  People’s hearts are surrounded with anxieties and uncertainties. On January 1 of 2014, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), Association of World Citizens (AWC), and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy jointly promulgated the movement of “An Era of Conscience.” Everyone is the leader and guide of his/her own conscience. The key to unlocking the energy of peace is in everyone’s hand. We hope that everyone will speak kind words and do good deeds to spread the positive influences of goodness. Dr. Hong Tao-Tze said, “Kind intentions and good hearts are the positive energies necessary to safeguard the earth’s sustainable development.” We should start from ourselves and spread the message of goodness to others. When the energies of goodness are connected, spread and expanded, the ideal world of one world with love and peace will become a reality.

TJM Zhang-men-ren Dr. Hong Tao-Tze (Row 3, fifth from left), Vice President of Association of World Citizens Dr. Susan J. Zipp (Row 3, fourth from left), Director of Communications of  FOWPAL Michael Selfridge (Row 3, sixth from left), and San Jose citizens participate in the ceremony of launching the Era of Conscience..

      On the event day, Dr. Susan J. Zipp, Vice President of Association of World Citizens, said “The fact that we came from different perspectives to create harmony, peace, and love is the miracle of life.  That is the gift we have and that is the mission that we support. I am so grateful to Dr. Hong.  Thank you so much! We are the world at this moment and all we have is this moment. Let us master it, make the most of it, create value, and launch An Era of Conscience.”

       Michael Selfridge, Director of communications of Federation of World Peace and Love, mentioned “…in witness of the incessant natural catastrophes and man-made calamities as well as the heightened geopolitical risks that threaten mankind’s survival, the Federation of World Peace and Love, the Association of World Citizens and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy jointly launched the movement of An Era of Conscience in 2014. To date, the movement has received recognition from more than 1500 co-organizers and participants from 162 nations and received letters and feedback from more than 40 heads of state and government and UN ambassadors. To encourage more nations and more people from all walks of life to get involved in the movement, on August 17, the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience was launched globally. The declaration highlights that "An Era of Conscience is the key to sustainable future. World leaders are expected to cooperate along the line of conscience to strengthen the partnerships to protect the earth, enhance collective welfare for humanity and create a world of peace for all."

     The Bay Area’s representatives and citizens who participated in person were Congressman Mike Honda’s representative Allen Chiu, Cupertino City Mayor Gilbert Wong, Saratoga City Mayor Emily Lo, Milpitas City Mayor Jose Esteves, San Jose Councilmember Kansen Chu’s representative Christy Tan, Cupertino Union School District Board of Education Member Anjali Kausar, Cupertino Public Safety Commissioner Dr. Andy Huang, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce President Darcy Paul, Taiwanese & Chinese American Athletic Tournament of San Francisco Bay Area (TCAAT) Chairperson Mrs. Lu, Taiwan’s National Day Celebration Committee Chairperson Ms. Kao, American Tea Culture Association President Ms. Janice Sung, Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Commissioner Mr. Song Chen, Confucius Memorial Ceremony Committee Chairman Mr. Stanley Kou, and more than a hundred friends from America, India, New Zealand, China, Iran, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines, and Taiwan.

Conscience Choir members, representing the diverse professions.

       To celebrate this movement, activities that were provided included pineapple gift bags, wisdom horse bookmarks of sign poetry, clay Conscience figurines, and the enthusiastic performance of the Celestial Horse Dance and Power of Love by the youth members of TJM, which encouraged everyone not to stress in life, to seize the day, and fully use their power of love to do good deeds and say good words.

        Mike Honda sent a letter saying, “Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy has encouraged a life of health, wisdom, wealth, joyfulness and happiness through the teachings and beliefs of Tai Ji Men dizi. Alongside the

Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the Association of World Citizens (AWC),

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy has successfully initiated the movement of "An Era of Conscience"

around the world. This movement promotes the attainment of a world filled with love and peace as energies of goodness are connected and spread throughout the world.Today's event is a celebration of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy's achievements and future

successes.”

Cupertino government officials and civilians working together, welcoming everyone to join the Era of Conscience.

      Gilbert Wong said, “This movement of conscience is something that is really important for the whole community. It doesn’t matter if you’re Chinese, Taiwanese, or non-Asian; this is a diverse community here in the Silicon Valley. Look at all the anecdotes, from David, who’s a special needs person, to Edmund, who’s a student, to Teacher Lin, as well as medical profession Amy. You can see how each one of our lives have been touched by Tai Ji Men; it is my honor to work with Tai Ji Men and to work with all the members to continue this movement, to continue this consciousness, and to show how Dr. Hong promote it to over 100 countries in many different languages and cultures. So let’s celebrate our diversity; let’s celebrate our conscience; let’s celebrate promoting this to my wife, kids, and the rest of the community to bring the community together.

       Jose Esteves said, “The movement has received strong support and positive feedback since it was started. When the energies of goodness are connected and spread to the world, a world filled with love and peace can then be attained. I commend your efforts in raising awareness and spreading peace and kindness in our community.”

       Emily Lo said, “I think health of mind is so important to change life because we are so busy with work, with kids, with school and a lot of times we neglect the importance of the mind in ourselves and along with others. And I’m very grateful for the launching of the Era of Conscience to take a step back and think a little and not just about ourselves but for others and caring about others.”

       Ms. Janice Sung said, “I am grateful to participate in this event. I really wish that I could have brought my son and grandson to TJM. What the world really needs right now is purification of the heart to bring love. Thanks to Dr. Hong for bringing positive energy to this community.”

       Ms. Kao said, “I am grateful to Dr. Hong for bringing harmony and endless love to the community.”

       Darcy Paul said, “I am honored that an organization such as TJM exists in our community to promote love and peace. Cupertino hopes to have more and more organizations like this. They are not only caring of their own community, but of others as well. If everyone could follow the declarations of doing good deeds, I believe that with everyone working together, the world would be a much better place. I sincerely thank all that TJM has done.”

       Dr. Andy Huang said, “Public health is an important part in public safety. According to UN World Health Organization, healthy people must have wisdom, good hearts, and healthy bodies. Today I am much honored to participate in this event with so many healthy youths, and caring adults.”

       Anjali Kausar said, “I am happy that the Meyerholz school in Cupertino has participated in the Era of Conscience movement. I am honored to be at this event today.”

        As Dr. Hong was saying, “With conscience comes a peaceful world; with happiness comes a joyful family.” Your kind words and good deeds will all help professions, families, organizations, countries, and the world. The Era of Conscience movement website has currently more than 1.35 million visits. We invite everyone to write between 100 to 300 words of conscience, share their personal conscientious words, actions, or events; upload a photo to www.aneoc.org; or send a 30-second video or audio of your kind words to info.aneoc@gmail.com. We also welcome business groups to become Era of Conscience co-organizers, contributing to a peaceful world. The Era of Conscience has officially started, and everyone must take action to create a world of love and peace! TJM Qigong Academy address: 10590 South De Anza Blvd., Cupertino 95014. Contact us through www.taijimen.org or www.aneoc.org.