Sharing Time

Carmen Brocklehurst, Albuquerque, NM

The Annual T’ai Chi Chih Conference was wonderful. I say this with a great deal of joy on two accounts. The first: so many people took the time to tell me how meaningful the conference was to them. The second: it was a treasure to watch the conference unfold and to participate with NM teachers in its unfolding. There were many opportunities for insight. The participants did not go away wanting.

From the beginning, each person felt welcomed as Robert Montes de Oca coordinated a team of NM teachers who shuttled people between the airport and hotel. The first evening, watching the video of Justin’s Folsom Prison lecture, the sparks of intuitive insight that Justin shared at the prison lit up our hearts too. Justin gives intelligent talks, not intellectual ones, and his talk at Folsom was one of his best.

Justin proved in 90 minutes that, regardless of circumstances, it is possible to share love. Because of Justin’s attitude, the prisoners felt able to respond in kind. One of the key points of Justin’s talk was, “Where are your feet now?” We must start from where we are now and go from there. In prison, options are not as discernible or available as they are to those of us on the “outside.” On what level do we want to move forward? Are we really free or have we created more of a prison for ourselves than those incarcerated at Folsom? James Hecker, our new TCC Teacher in Folsom, can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps we might try a little harder to be free in some aspect of our life. The video was a fantastic way to start the Conference, with our hearts and minds open to having a new experience.

Sr. Antonia’s ceremony of rededication to T’ai Chi Chih, with its spiral circle helped us find the quietness of our own being, from which all new things come.

Justin’s talk “Chi=Prana=Vital Force” was very powerful. Many teachers talk about Chi or Prana or Vital Force but never realize that all three are the same. We are so fortunate to teach T’ai Chi Chih with the knowledge that we are helping people experience the very substance of the universe, what we ourselves are made of.

We enjoyed the special pointers that Ed gave on T’ai Chi Chih, as well as his talk on commitment which included his experience training James Hecker to become a TCC Teacher. It was great, too, to meet and have time to touch base with other teachers who want to grow their offering of T’ai Chi Chih.

A special invitation went out to Albuquerque community to come and share our Sunday morning T’ai Chi Chih practice with us. Many came, and after talking to some of the students I found that the practice has helped them to become more committed to their own TCC practice. It was wonderful to share our Conference with them.

Of course, the Conference highlight is always when Justin shares T’ai Chi Chih with us. His instructions are so simple, his manner so giving, that it brings us home to the basics and makes our teaching so much more powerful.

I am grateful to Rhonda, Maggie, and all the others on the Conference team for all their hard work. It was a great Conference. I left feeling that I had been blessed. I know I am.

Love and Share the Chi,

– Carmen