Thank You COVID-19

Mulling over “TCC in the time of COVID-19,” I started thinking about how this pandemic has changed TCC. I quickly realized that TCC doesn’t change. It is “the Real,” the never-changing constant. What has changed is how we share this gift with others. This led me to compare how I may have conducted myself before and since the pandemic.

BEFORE: I held classes in my own little world, and my students were primarily instructed only by me and didn’t have much other connection.

AFTER: Many teachers offer Zoom classes and Justin’s video collection is newly streaming. Now my students are getting instruction in different ways, different words and word pictures – sometimes bringing on the “ahhh, that’s what Parker has been trying to tell me.”

BEFORE: By attending conference, I deepened my practice, teaching techniques and made personal connections. It is a major part of my TCC life. Many of us will miss that.

AFTER: Virtual practices with other teachers has filled that void to a large extent. In early April Sandy McAlister held the first of her Zoom classes for teachers. More than 80 teachers attended. It was such an energy-filled practice, a blessing, and almost like being at conference.

What does this all mean? At the International Medical T’ai Chi/Qigong Association’s inaugural Conference in Boston in October 2018, Dr. Greg Fricchione of Harvard Medical School addressed the benefits of T’ai Chi, “Separation is the most painful human condition.” He was speaking about how joining in Mind-Body activities promotes human connection. I remembered this after a particularly energy-enhancing Zoom practice this week. As we practiced, the leader mentioned to connect our tan t’ien to hers. I immediately felt a rush of Chi for the remainder of the practice. I was connecting from hundreds of miles away.

Bill Douglas, originator of World T’ai Chi/Qigong Day, in his book The Gospel of Science says, “Quantum Physics has discovered something called Entanglement, or what Einstein referred to as Spooky Action. What they found will sound like some kind of science-fiction, or some cult leaders’ nonsensical imaginings – at first. Physicists found that when two atomic particles are connected in an atom, they remain connected forever. Here’s where it gets weird. Even if those two particles are on opposite sides of the universe, they are still connected. Physicists found that if they affected a particle’s spin, the entangled other particle, no matter how far away it is, changed its spin in a complimentary way at exactly the same moment. It happens instantly, so there is no way a communication could have happened, it happens too fast. The only explanation is that the universe is connected.” The rush of energy I felt was confirmation of that connectedness and easing of the pain of separation.

I now set my intention that group practices and online instruction will continue after COVID-19 is gone. Call me crazy but thank you COVID-19 for helping me realize the realness of what we do.

we

sheltered

with our fear

thank you covid

now we share

our light

zoom