“I first met Sifu Yeung at a Taiji Picnic weekend in the City of Newcastle in 2002. Sifu was warm and open with everyone. Sifu's display of his skill in martial arts and as a teacher of Buddhist Dharma went far further than I could have possibly imagined. Sifu taught that weekend that there is no need for self defence if there is no obsession with the 'self'. This was a totally different viewpoint compared to my: "me against the world" outlook that I had unknowingly developed and nurtured in order to compensate for my insecurity. The Pathgate summer retreat I attended in Greece that year was a life changing experience for me. Sifu's teachings opened up my eyes to the world and showed me what living was about. As a student I have witnessed the all-encompassing awareness and boundless compassion that Sifu radiates in his life; and as we strive to replicate the same level of authenticity, sincerity and humility that comes from Sifu innately, I can see how this undeniably effects those around you. Following the teachings and advice of Sifu has greatly improved my relationship with my family and friends, making me more stable and considerate towards others. In taking refuge in Sifu I am slowly realising that there is no need to live in hope or fear. At times when I became self-absorbed with my own obscuration and afflictive emotions or when I had not followed Sifu's advice, it inevitably gave rise to the spreading of turbulent wake of my own negative actions around me. As yet I have no foresight of my own to see the events unfolding beforehand. Only through relying on Sifu can I begin to be shown this bigger picture that we are all interdependently involved in, and work towards a more harmonious co-existence. In early 2005, I and other Pathgate students were fortunate enough to go on retreat for 6 weeks to Namdroling monastery in India where Sifu's Root Guru, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche resides, to receive the Namcho Ngondro teaching of the Dzogchen Ati Yoga. The experience has had a profound impact on my life, in receiving teachings from a living Buddha and seeing the very strong connection between His Holiness as a master and Sifu as his disciple. It was a true relationship based on reverence, humility and gratitude. On innumerable occasions I have seen the direct actualisation of the way Sifu extends this to everyone and everything that surrounds him, practicing Dharma in all aspects of his life. As a role model and a master for us to aspire to replicate and learn from, Sifu has always had the students and others best interests at heart, guiding us all with great skill through the forest of our own ignorance. A skill that is driven by unconditional compassion that I now see is so rare in the world. The changes in myself over the time I have spent as a student have been to cherish and appreciate the preciousness of the life we have and to see in Sifu Yeung the achievable potential that we all have, what it is to be truly alive.”

Ben Stevenson (Newcastle)