Inspire, Motivate One Another

I am inspired and motivated by every issue of The Vital Force to acknowledge the power of the experiences and ideas shared by my fellow T’ai Chi Chih teachers. But it took Julie Heryet’s “Update from Folsom” (VF, November 2017) to get me to write. I especially value Julie’s affirming practice of awarding a certificate to participants who memorize the names of their classmates. Connecting with self, others and the universe is the most beneficial aspect of my TCC practice.

Justin repeatedly emphasized that TCC is a “service to mankind.” Teachers like Julie, who emphasize service above detailed technique, receive immeasurable personal benefits, as well as immense appreciation from their fellow teachers. I teach a weekly class to recently released offenders required to attend, so commitment to TCC movements is rarely achieved. However, after even a couple of classes, participants benefit from the sense of community that moving together, however imperfectly, seems to impart. 

A recent example still resonates, as it re-enforced my intention to be grateful that I have the strength and wisdom to ask for help in remaining perfectly unaffected by lack of love and/or attack thoughts. We had been moving together for about 15 minutes when a late arrival stood belligerently outside the group. One of the participants noticed that the late arrival had an item that had been stolen from him. He lost his temper and attacked the “outsider.” Immediately, participants in the TCC movements moved as a single unit to wrap their arms around both combatants and neutralize them, eventually removing the perpetrator from the premises. Class members returned to their positions and we continued with the movements.

The following week, the “outsider” was on time and participated in the class! The other residents welcomed him back into the community, and that had a profound effect on his attitude.

As I reach out to “fallen away” teachers to attend the 2018 conference and to stay, many respond that while they would love to see me and other teachers, they have the impression that they do not do the movements correctly enough to teach them. Unfortunately, some of the articles with detailed suggestions in The Vital Force, including the November 2017 issue, contain absolute statements and abstract concepts that could be perceived as being preachy, directive and/or judgmental. 

While I appreciate the suggestions offered via The Vital Force, events and TCC electronic resources, I urge us to allow TCC to help us let go of “have-to’s, rules, intimidation and nit-picky adjustments.” (Sandy McAlister, “Good Teachers Guide Us in Discovery”) TCC teachers with extensive interactions with Justin sometimes advise me to change principles I learned directly from Justin’s personal corrections over the years.

I agree with Sandy that Justin provided us with an outline that emphasizes universal principles, not precise, rigid, movements. Fortunately for me, the TCC teachers that I resonate with do inspire and motivate me to incorporate TCC principles and joyous movements as an integral part of my life.