Brian Cookman Tribute
by Bruce K. Frantzis
We say farewell to Brian Cookman, a tai chi player and teacher for over twenty years. None of us ever knows how long we will live and remain in our bodies. On February 19th 2005, Brian died of an extremely aggressive cancer whose symptoms came on quickly and in a flash ended his life.
When I first began teaching Brian at a seminar in London he had been doing the Cheng Man Ching tai chi style for over a decade. His charm and sincerity were apparent. However it was only after several years of training him in tai chi and chi gung that I really came to know the qualities of this man during several days we spent together in 2003 driving from London via the Lake District to Tai Chi Caledonia in Scotland. After this and many other interactions including retreats in California where his skill as a musician and self-deprecating good humor were highly appreciated, I came to like and respect this extremely kind and gentle soul. In the best sense Brian personified the qualities of a true English gentleman–intelligence, honesty, integrity and caring for the good of the whole community. Some talk and some do–his compassion was genuine, truly heartfelt and active.
Before he died Brian was actively involved in getting the wonderful healing benefits of tai chi and chi gung to the British public. For more than 10 years he spent his life force teaching ordinary people. Above and beyond this, however, he worked tirelessly to get tai chi and chi gung into hospitals through the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain. Brian became the Chairman of the Steering Group for the UK Tai Chi and Chi Gung Forum for Special Needs.
Long before suspecting he had cancer, Brian did the legwork to try to have a series about Dragon and Tiger Chi Gung shown on BBC television. Dragon and Tiger Chi Gung is specifically used to help cancer sufferers in China. In an email Brian sent me after he found out that he had terminal melanoma cancer that had spread throughout his body, he described how practicing Dragon and Tiger provided him with significant relief:
“I can actually feel the energy drain away like a fog, if I just sit. Starting Dragon and Tiger I can feel the energy go from thick trickle to a fine runny water, amazing, and by the end of the form feel rejuvenated. It is a wonderful sensation to realize the system really works. Before, I've been teaching it and doing it as a refined exercise system and now, to be using it for real is a true revelation.”
The last time I saw Brian in person, back in November 2004, was indicative of this man’s life. He told me he was going to South Africa to work with AIDS sufferers in the prison system, and asked my advice on how with only limited time he could help to lessen the suffering in the lives of his fellow human beings.
Since the 1960’s I have met many in the tai chi world. I will miss this wonderful man and consider it a gift to my life to have been associated with him. I hope to be fortunate enough to meet more people like Brian before death also knocks on my door.
Bruce K. Frantzis