The Place Behind the Adjectives

In Memory of my Teacher and Mentor, Ed Young

In October, 2023, my longtime mentor and tai chi teacher, Ed Young, passed peacefully in his sleep. Ed was far, far more than a mere instructor or life coach; he was a moral and spiritual Presence, and a living example of the gentle grace that comes from a deep appreciation of the present moment. Most tai chi people are preoccupied with cultivating "root" so that they can't be pushed over. But Ed was rooted in something far more profound — what he called "the place behind the adjectives." 

One evening after tai chi class in the mid-1980's, I asked Ed for some life advice. We ended up talking until close to 11PM. That night, he gave me a perspective that has stayed with me through all the years since. 

"The day you're born, you start collecting adjectives," he said. "Your birth certificate has your name, race, sex, parents, length and weight. As you get older, more adjectives are added. This is my school, grade, teacher, favorite subject, favorite color, favorite food. Here is my sport, special talent and hobby. Later on, it's my major, degree, profession, political party, neighborhood, religion and bank account. 

"There's nothing wrong with these adjectives," Ed said. "We need them to get along in life. The problem is that somewhere along the way, we forget the Being that was already there before the first adjective was applied. 

"That Being is still there under your mountain of adjectives. Are you living as that Being, or are you lost in your adjectives? That's a good question to ask yourself every day. The person who is lost in his adjectives can never be satisfied. He's always looking for a new adjective, hoping that that will somehow make him feel complete. He approaches every moment asking, 'What can I get from this situation?' 

"But the one who lives from the place behind the adjectives, that person is always full, always satisfied. He knows that he is already receiving more than he can ever use. That person approaches every moment asking himself, 'In this situation, what can I give?'"