Your Voice Is A Vital Force Voice

As someone who pretty much earned her living with her reading and writing skills, I still have a hard time feeling that “my” T’ai Chi Chih stories and issues are of interest and value to my fellow teachers and our students. Even if I have something I want to share, I find excuses not to sit down for a few minutes and put something together.

But once in awhile (such as now) I respond to a request from The Vital Force to submit material for our amazing journal. As my title states, your voice is a Vital Force voice.

As those of you who attend conferences know, I seldom miss one because of the value I place on our TCC community. Part of that feeling of togetherness emanates from the stories we share at conference and via The Vital Force.

In Hawaii we call this “talk story,” and it has the same salutary benefit of sharing stories in a self-help group. Whether our benefits from TCC relate to overcoming a life or health challenge or simply to wanting a higher quality of life, we benefit both from telling our story and from listening to the stories of others.

“Peer Support” Builds TCC Community

This sharing creates our TCC community, as much as our learning and teaching experiences. Many fellow teachers have commented in person or by email that group experiences over the past couple of years have been very beneficial to them personally and as a TCC/Seijaku teacher. Interactions with fellow TCC or Seijaku students and teachers are frequently cited as taking root in practice and teaching.

Time and time again I’m blown away and inspired by heartfelt “regular Joe” testimony on the impact of TCC and Seijaku. These stories strengthen me in my own practice. As I wrote in a recent Vital Force, it’s fellow Seijaku teachers’ confessions that caused me finally to incorporate Seijaku in my regular practice.

I believe other teachers are also inspired by the struggles and encouraging comments and examples of peers. I am humbled by the ordinariness of our teachers. No one I know claims to be a TCC Master – we all recognize that regardless of how many years we have been practicing or have been accredited, we benefit from keeping the beginner’s mind.

So please share your story; even your stumbles and imperfections can make a difference to someone you don’t even know. Beyond that, our peer communications, relationships and encouragement are part of the foundation of our TCC community and enable us to fulfill our mission.