My StoryI started my encounter with the Chinese Characters or Kanji, as it is said in Japanese when I moved to Japan in 1984. Formally I began studying Kanji at university since 1987. I was exposed to intensive drills, and passed the required tests. But I never fully mastered the reading skills before leaving Japan in 1994. Then I forgot about reading or writing these characters until the lockdown in 2020. Having time during the lockdown, the study of Chinese Characters resurfaced in my life. But this time I could approach the characters differently. I didn't need to pass exams. I took my time to relate to each character, to look deeply at their shape and their message. I started to discern a deep wisdom within each character. Slowly a delightful relationship started to shape up in my world with the written Chinese Characters. I felt each 'kanji' has truly a character, a trait. Starting to recognize these characters was an entry for me into the wisdom of the ancient Chinese philosophers. I want to open this door for you to enter a journey of meaning, of relating to an ancient wisdom, and in a paradoxical way to what we need to rediscover now to be in harmony again with life on our endangered planet. Gifts on This Path for YouEngaging with the written Chinese Characters could bring numerous gifts and surprises to you, including insights into natural laws, wicked sense of humor, stern expressions of subjective reality and endless joy of the imaginative mind. |
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Project Vision
Wouldn't it be wonderful if more and more people could recognize and relate to more and more Kanjis? The mental and emotional walls that make us feel reading Chinese is impossible start to dissolve. Not only will those mental/emotional barriers come down in our minds, but also we will find immense joy and satisfaction of 'seeing' what those characters are saying. So we envision a more cohesive world in which the Western Mind could enjoy the wisdom and insights of the Eastern Mind. And the Eastern Mind could benefit from the discernments of the Western Mind. A field of relationality connects us to the ancient wisdom, and natural laws of the universe, helping us to navigate our way back to live in harmony with our world. |
How to Prepare ?Having these preparations will help you for a smooth and successful experience on this journey of discovery.
* Have a time and space set aside to learn and play with what you are learning. * Prepare your mind by becoming quiet. This study is akin to meditative practice. * Have your study material ready. You need : Remembering the Kanji 1, by James W. Heisig. Papers cut to size. Writing brush and ink * Review the characters you have learned regularly. * Frequent China Town if there is one in your vicinity. See what you can recognize. Forming A Core GroupI am looking for a core group to commit to this path of study to learn about 2000+ written Chinese Characters. We will meet online once a week for an hour during term time.
The core group enables the CLICK project to take root and grow the field of learning and relating to the Intelligence of the Chinese Characters. |
Resource Materials* Dr. James W. Heising
Remembering the Kanji 1 https://archive.org/details/laatiinvzju/mode/1up * Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy domestika.org/en/courses/2557-introduction-to-chinese-calligraphy Term Cycles & Time CommitmentA Term is 3 months. We will meet online about 9 times in a term. There are no exams. Your progress depends on your own input and zeal. I recommend a commitment of 1/2 hour per day dedicated to spend on studying the Kanji and practicing your newly learned skills.
We will have 3 terms in a year. |
Payment
The financial commitment is £50 per month for the term months. In other words you pay £150 per term or £450 per year for three terms.
If you live in a country where the above payment is too burdensome for you, talk to me. We will find a way to make it work both for you, and for me.
If you live in a country where the above payment is too burdensome for you, talk to me. We will find a way to make it work both for you, and for me.
To join the course please indicate your interest in the form below. The course will commence on 7th of April 2025.
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Become my Patron on PatreonPlease consider to become my patron to help me develop the course content for learners outside the Core Group. I would like to disseminate this course of learning as widely as possible so that the intelligence of the Chinese Characters will be recognized by more and more people.
I'll be most grateful for your patronage and any amount of funds you are happy to pay on a monthly basis. You can always change this amount depending on your life circumstances. Once you become my patron please decide on a time-cycle to review this relationship you have with me. Perhaps the New Year is a good moment to reflect on how your patronage has served us. You can then decide to either terminate your patronage, or to continue your support. I will be grateful to hear from you and to grow with you in this circle of teaching and learning. |