Amazing Mr. Stone

Many T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) teachers feel that Justin Stone, our TCC originator, must have been an amazing person. I would agree. When TCC came to him it was like nothing he had experienced. He wrote it down and proceeded to practice what had come to him.

At that time, he had no idea what practicing these movements would do for him or for anyone. To his amazement, most people he shared it with reported wonderful experiences. Most felt a gentleness of spirit, a depth of feeling, a caring and concern about and for life. Their healthy feelings were beginning to be helpful.

Later, people began telling him of changes they felt — that they were not as quick to anger, that a lifetime of headaches or other ailments cleared. One woman had narcolepsy. But the more she did TCC the less she was anxious about sleeping at inappropriate times. Eventually she was able to drive her car again and became a TCC teacher.

Justin was always quick to tell people that TCC is not medicine, but it is a helpful tool that has helped many. I have only mentioned a few examples; it might be good to have a section in The Vital Force that talks about all the positive experiences our students and we have experienced.

One teacher who worked with teenagers found that her students were more confident, that their attention was less on themselves and more on participating in making life better for others, which made them happy.

Justin often spoke about helpful changes he experienced from the practice — like when he would get stuck writing an article, then do a few TCC movements, and ideas would come to him. TCC is a great help for anyone experiencing writer’s block. Justin also loved playing and composing music. He wrote the original music for the PBS TCC 13-part TV series in 1994 and was compensated by ASCAP for his contribution.

TCC is amazing, and so is Justin. The more I learn from and about TCC, the more I feel grateful to Justin for bringing it to us. It has opened the way for us to learn to live and love and share the Chi.