There’s Nothing To Do

It is funny to see old pictures and glimpse corrections you’ve made in your own practice. Evolution, release, different understanding.

I have been watching Justin a lot lately. Those early videos when he was stepping forward are interesting and fun to do, but they wouldn’t allow a large group to remain in a circle. (It would be more like T’ai Chi Ch’uan in the sense of moving forward from one point to another.)

I was also looking at Colorado photos when I was near a pond doing Rocking Motion. I didn’t bend much at the elbow (Carmen had mentioned it) so I went back to watch Justin and, yes, he barely bends at the elbow. With a soft elbow, your hands don’t go as high and you make the turn more with the wrists.

I have been working with the wrists, enjoying the heavy air against the hands, using the tan t’ien and totally quieting the shoulders. It is incredible how solid I become in the soles of the feet. There is no more leaning forward or backward because the tan t’ien is in charge. You become totally aware of the yin and yang legs and the movement unfolds in perfect harmony without hurry. It is fun paying attention to the flow that happens, letting the whole movement be.

I remember visiting the TCC Albuquerque Center in 2004 and practicing next to Justin in the circle. He turned to me and said, “There is nothing to do.” I didn’t say anything and thought, “Nothing to do?” He probably saw the puzzled look on my face.

I am so glad I finally have a glimpse of what he meant. I love the fluidity of this practice. To do nothing at all you have to be completely aware. Aware of all principles, of the movement unfolding from the tan t’ien, letting go of the wrists against heavy air, feeling circularity and polarity while being solid in the soles of the feet and tall and relaxed in the body—every time. Sigh… What else to say?