Ravens: A Metaphor For TCC

While doing my practice outdoors on a recent beautiful autumn day, a flock of ravens soaring above me captured my attention. Yes, I lost the concentration in my “bubbling springs” but observing these majestic birds brought many words and phrases to mind. Upon reflection after my practice, I realized that what I’d seen was applicable to T’ai Chi Chih, leading to this metaphor.

Softness and continuity

Effort of no effort

Circularity

These important principles of TCC were evident as the birds rode, circulated and played in the airstream, flapping their wings only occasionally.

Graceful

Powerful

Joyful

I watched with awe as these intelligent and beautiful birds exuded applicable characteristics that describe our TCC practice.

Strength

Harmony

Energy

The birds modeled, both individually and in their interactions as a group, things that TCC offers us in our lives.

Curiosity led me to research what a flock of ravens is called. Three different names were referenced, depending on the group’s activity: a constable, an unkindness, or a conspiracy.

• A constable of ravens refers, historically, to the group of birds that congregated around the Tower of London, and thus was thought to be keeping watch over or guarding the monarchy. If practiced regularly, TCC can guard our health and happiness.

• A group of ravens can also be called an unkindness. If a flock is driving off predators or competitors, they are unkind in their actions. They may work together to eliminate threats to their territory or to secure food. We face many unkindnesses (i.e. sickness, loss, anger, stress, fear, indecisiveness, exhaustion) in our lives. TCC helps drive these threats away, victoriously conquering them and resulting in wellness, peace and security.

• A conspiracy of ravens refers to their low muttering range of vocalizations that sound like undecipherable talk. This made me think of Six Healing Sounds. An outsider observing our practice would have no idea what the sounds were or what they represented. And while we think TCC is wonderful, we certainly do not want it to remain a secret. We’d like everyone to join our little “conspiracy” and reap its many benefits.

The result of my raven encounter? A greater Cosmic Consciousness.