Soft, Slow, Circular and Continuous

Richard Brier, Mill Valley, CA

The above title is the essence of T’ai Chi Chih. Softness, slowness, circularity and continuity stimulates the balanced flow of the chi. This balanced flow of the chi is the key to rejuvenation. Rejuvenation is the purpose of T’ai Chi in its original form and now in the precious T’ai Chi Chih. Each time we practice we improve the intricate internal net of energy flows. And we also improve the relationship between the mind, body, emotions and spirit. T’ai Chi Chih is an extraordinarily simple and holistic practice. It is consciousness purifying and refining itself. Our original unstained and unconditioned Consciousness has been stained by the mistaken certainties of conventional reality.

When we practice Joy thru Movement with awareness and the above principles, we become much quieter. We enter very naturally into an open-eyed meditative state. We let go of thoughts, we practice ‘mind-fasting’. In the stillness our conditioning melts away. This is why practice is the very best of all instructors. Your own inner wisdom (prajna!) itself will guide you. And the more we practice, the more in touch we are with this deeper self. Practice is empowerment. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do the thing and you will have the power.”

Besides the above, the other important principle is to sink and relax at the end of each form, focusing on bubbling spring. Sink and be rooted in the earth. The deeper the roots, the stronger the tree.