Mystics

As time goes by, I find myself teaching and practicing T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) with a community of seniors. Before and after class we often have time to enjoy relaxed conversations. Their lives are rich and fascinating, full of adventures and tales. Some moments reveal great sorrow — others lively delight, hilarity, and humor, all delivered with eyes that dance and sing. They have learned to heal through grief and luxuriate in joy. Their experiences become their TCC practice.

During practice I have learned to appreciate their ability to sense the lightness of TCC, the flow, and the sustained movements. They are unhurried at practice because they choose to be present, with nowhere else to be in that moment of their busy days. TCC is their gift to themselves. During our time together their energy is their light; their light is their energy.

I am becoming more attuned to the shape of the movements and what that looks like as a gestalt, the synergy of Chi. Sandy’s July 2024 message gains critical relevance, “Once we can accept that each student is on their own path, we may begin to let go of our own expectations of what is best for them.” I am beginning to accept with grace my seniors’ personal paths, that their histories are woven into their TCC practice.

The Dark Crystal movie was a fantasy/saga about a planet from a distant past peopled with creatures both delightful and scary. The tale is classic good versus evil, with an enduring and creative resolution. Among the principal players is a group of mystics who represent light. They are tuned into nature; they live in the moment. They possess depths of kindness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and peace. Presently, I find myself with the genuine mystics.