Teaching Tips (October 2003)

When teaching T’ai Chi Chih classes, one has the opportunity to meet a myriad of individuals. As one becomes more seasoned with presenting and transmitting this self-evolutionary discipline, you ‘learn’ how to ‘hold the energy’ during the class, ‘sense what is to be said to encourage students’, and ‘not take it personally’ when a student is not ripe to embrace the teachings and training that T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement offers.

A tradition that I was introduced to in the 1970’s has been of benefit to me. I would like to share it with you. “Place principles above personalities.”

This tradition can assist when there is conflict within a class, a personal or work relationship, or any life situation where one is tempted to “throw the bathtub out with the bathwater.”

The principles of truth that we are introduced to in T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement have the ability to bring peace to this planet. No matter what personal or ego concept you may embrace during your teaching career, be mindful before jumping to a conclusion. Pause, breathe, and remember not to take what others say personally. Each of us is in charge of our thoughts. We are the only ones who do think in our heads. What we think affects our perceptions. We perceive from our own limited view. As we open into the cosmos of teachings that the T’ai Chi Chih discipline introduces us to, we are like neophytes swimming in a huge pool of consciousness.

Justin Stone has stressed the importance of honoring and respecting the teacher who taught you. The T’ai Chi Chih lineage was one way we would introduce ourselves at the first T’ai Chi Chih Conferences in California. We’d give our name, our teacher’s name, their teacher’s name, and so on to the originator—Justin Stone. This practice assists us with remaining alert to how we came to who we are now and how we are constantly being changed in T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement.

I write this to you, as there may come a time when you experience conflict with your teacher, or with one of your students. Remember the lineage. Remember that you are in the process of becoming all you were meant to be through this discipline. Remember the power of your own thoughts and actions. Breathe between thoughts. Allow the gap space to take you back to the pause between the movements. Let the waves settle and the chi teach and heal as you move through this one precious moment in life.

The sea of consciousness we move in together as we practice the T’ai Chi Chih movements heals discord and misunderstanding. Focusing on the soles of the feet, we connect with all souls who practice the form. The force that granted us life knows the journey and the solution. If we let go, remain in the flow, have no involvement with the outcome yet trust the process, the solution will present itself.

Keep heart and faith. T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement, nearly 30 years old now, is ripening into adulthood. Growing challenges have entered each developmental stage.

Soon the teachings will be in strong demand. I encourage you to keep yourself refreshed daily with the practice so your own developmental process will be congruent with the evolution of T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement.

As the Native American Medicine Wisdom teaches: at 40 years of age one can finally speak: by 50 one learns what to say: at 60 The Crone Teacher Emerges. The teacher fully bloomed and energized, dancing smoothly with this life journey.