The Silent Ladies in the Park

Visiting San Francisco often means walking through parks near the bay, and for years I’ve watched the silent ladies who appear to be meditating while moving their arms and legs in a set pattern. I found out recently that they were practicing T’ai Chi Chih. Watching is one thing but I didn’t contemplate taking a class until a good friend, Jim Eagle, became a TCC teacher. I didn’t know what I was getting into, which made it even more interesting, as everything was totally new. It’s been nine months since the first class, and with each class I know there is far more to learn. As we review movements that I thought I knew and understood, there is always more to uncover. When I began, I wasn’t looking to meditate; I just wanted to learn the movements.

Our class meets in a Unitarian Church with windows opening onto a forest over which the sun slowly sets. The room itself is filled with an ever-changing selection of paintings by congregants. Slowly relaxing as the class starts, I gaze at the forest or a lovely painting. As I concentrate on the movements, the bottoms of my feet, and my breathing, my mind lets go of problems. I know that one doesn’t have to be in a beautiful setting to practice TCC, but for me, it helps, as does music from the Far East. Although I have much to learn, I’m surprised by what I have learned from TCC already. At the end of each class, we often sit silently on the edge of our chairs for 10 minutes, with our hands on our knees. The simple fact that I can now do that – without moving or talking and actually enjoy the peace – is lovely.