Nourishing, Rooting & Blooming

Greets of joy-filled hope to each of you in this New Year of 2009.

Many teachers plan to attend the July T’ai Chi Chih conference in Nebraska City that promises to be another energy-filled, deepening experience of the TCC form for all who attend. Although the economy continues to spiral downward and funds can be tight, I do invite and urge you (if at all possible) to register before the rates increase on April 1st. Come be a part of this conference that will deepen our connections as a community through nourishing, rooting, and blooming the TCC form within.

Most people in North America are concerned about their financial futures. In reflecting on what is going on, my sense is that our experience of life (as we have lived it in the past 20 years) will change drastically in the near future. When the impermanent begins to fall away, what is left? For some, it will be nothing. Those on a spiritual journey, who have been developing their inner soul space (or spirit) through spiritual disciplines, will find a source of peace and hope in the midst of loss and hardship. We as TCC teachers and practitioners will continue to have this peace-filled discipline to support us and help others experience what is essential. This moving meditation, which is truly a discipline, will help keep us centered, balanced, and focused. Perhaps our mission as teachers will take on a very different focus. And maybe, just maybe, our lives will not change at all. Or maybe they will; no one knows the future. TCC does help us to stay in the present, and this is part of my joy-filled hope for this new year.

You may be unaware of a third volume of “Blooming” entitled, Blooming the Spirit,The Spiritual Dimension of T’ai Chi Chih, which was presented to Justin at his 92nd birthday party celebration in November 2008. The front cover reads, “Practitioners of TCC report many physical rewards, many of which are summarized in the first and second volumes of Blooming the Flower. This third volume, Blooming the Spirit, explores the spiritual dimension of T’ai Chi Chih, the experience of which is soul-felt. It represents the subtle transition from our doing TCC to TCC doing us.” Copies may be ordered for a small fee from the T’ai Chi Chih Association of New Mexico ( HYPERLINK “http://www.taichichihassoaciation.org/” www.TaiChiChihAssociation.org; 505-299-2095). The timing of this could not be better. Reflect on your own soul-felt experiences, for these are real, life changing, and life enhancing.

Under the hidden teacher resources page (which teacher Lorraine Lepine can give you if you have forgotten or lost it), you will find copyrighted material from Good Karma Publishing about how to teach TCC to various populations. The first guidelines posted are for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Please feel free to download these without restriction and use them to better your teaching to these populations.

I look forward to meeting many of you during 2009 to provide mutual support, deeper understanding, and Joy Thru Movement.