Finding Stillness in Motion: A Lesson in Chinese Calligraphy
I thought I was going to a class to learn how to write. I left having had a lesson in meditation. Chinese calligraphy is not about penmanship; it's about channeling your energy, your breath, and your spirit through a soft brush onto delicate rice paper. It’s an art form known as "heart-painting."
Your lesson will begin with an introduction to the "Four Treasures of the Study": the brush, the ink, the paper, and the inkstone. You’ll learn how to grind your own ink stick on the stone, a rhythmic, calming process. A teacher will show you the correct posture—a straight back, a calm mind—and how to hold the brush vertically. Then, you'll practice the basic strokes, learning how pressure and speed can create a line that is thick and powerful or thin and graceful. You’ll forget about the outside world and focus only on the dance of the brush.
Insider Tip:
Don't worry about making your characters look perfect. Your teacher will tell you that the goal is not perfection, but balance and flow. Focus on the process, the posture, and the breathing. The most beautiful characters are said to be those created with a calm and focused mind.
