This past weekend we hosted the first cultural exchange at Te Whare Ara TeaTea with the aim to bring TCM and rongoā practitioners together to meet and begin the journey of whanaungatanga. Due to unforeseen circumstance a group of practitioners could not attend however Tania Gallop a practitioner at the whare engaged whole heartedly. Mihi (acknowledgement) to all those who attended for your participation and spirit that made an enjoyable day.
During the day we had discussions aimed to understand the impacts of the Tohunga Suppression Act on Māori, and the impacts of the West on China, and the subsequent impacts to traditional practice. The brave and authentic sharing really brought a peace and spaciousness of mutual respect to the table. Again mihi to all of you. We shared our mutual understanding of humans position between Heaven and Earth, and shared and identified key concepts of Qi/ mauri, and Shen / Wairua. This was a gentle entry into a place of coming together which we hope to grow upon.