When in doubt, do TCC
T’ai Chi Chih is a mindfulness-moving meditation practice that’s easy to learn. The series of 19 movements and one pose helps circulate the Vital Energy, the Chi. Practitioners experience peace, improved health, and many more benefits. Our free monthly e-newsletter offers inspiration between issues of the TCC quarterly journal, The Vital Force, in which teachers and students tell stories about ways they’ve benefited from the practice.
I really can’t remember what I was like before TCC. – Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator
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From the recent issue of The Vital Force:
Surrendering: “I’ve just emerged from an intense six-month period of caregiving for my elderly parents, both of whom suffered major health crises at the same time. Throughout months of unrelenting setbacks, I continued to teach TCC classes. Why was maintaining my class schedule so important? Doing TCC manifests peace. Teaching TCC provides connection. There’s something so healing and soothing when a group of sympathetic souls come together to gently move through a TCC practice in synchronicity. My 30-year TCC practice has taught me that when I have little or no control, the best course of action is to surrender, and TCC has taught me how to surrender healthily. Embodying the soft, slow, gentle, rhythmic, repetitive TCC movements invites peace and wellbeing to emerge and a sense of calm clarity to manifest even in the midst of a storm.” – LO, Port Hueneme, CA
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Editor’s Note: Learn more from TCC teachers with more than 25 years of experience in the May issue of The Vital Force.
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Grieving & Gratitude: “My husband died recently. I deeply love(d) and adored him. He lived a long, productive and good life as a spiritual practitioner, a physicist and a father. I grieve much of the time, day and night. What has held me together in so many ways is my TCC practice. The necessary focus and connection to do TCC ground me over and over again. The repetition fills me with a joy that gives me the confidence and inspiration to power through each day. TCC is here for us through the hardest times. It keeps my heart open and my mind spacious. At a time of ongoing grief, I’m filled with gratitude to Justin, my teachers and my students.” – NHB, Philadelphia, PA
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Letting Go: “I’ve been reflecting on my tendency to grasp onto ideas and experiences, hopes and fears. And, witnessing these efforts, I unclench my grasping ‘fist’ (again and again) into an open palm of awareness (with equanimity, without judgement). A precious gift that I perpetually rediscover through my TCC practice: release, let go, and surrender to the insistent now. The cadence of my daily practice: the perpetual rediscovery of feet against ground, movement soft and rooted, breath like a tide, coming to rest again and again and again. I’m so very grateful for the peace of this stillness in the midst of activity, for this gift of joy.” – CG, Gambier, OH
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Evolving: As one practices TCC, the quality of the Chi definitely changes. So many say, ‘I really can’t remember what I was like before T’ai Chi Chih.’ As the Chi is circulated and balanced, habit energies tend to fade and one no longer feels compelled to follow dubious paths of action. One now feels more in control of (and responsible for) his or her actions. This is known as ‘burning the karmic seeds.’ It is the best reason I know to practice TCC, aside from the joyful feeling such practice brings. Serenity and better health are the results of this balancing and circulation. And it is so easy to accomplish! – Justin F. Stone
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Where in the World have you been doing T’ai Chi Chih? Share your images for our gallery.
Want more inspiration? Want a connection with the global TCC community? Want tips for better practice? Join us:
Subscribe to The Vital Force. Our quarterly journal offers engaging stories, hints, and insights from TCC teachers and students. We also highlight wisdom and photos rarely seen of the originator, Justin Stone.
