The Vital Force is 20 years old

With this July 2004 issue

Below are Justin’s first words in the first Vital Force Summer Solstice 1984. Our technology has improved, but the words are as true today as they were then.

Letter to Teachers

The emergence of this T’ai Chi Chih Journal is an important event, for it will tend to bind the TCC teachers more closely together and encourage those who need further encouragement. It is nice to spread something as beneficial as TCC, and you who are the “early” teachers (remember, this Discipline is only ten years old) are to be congratulated. Those who come later will profit by your pioneer work.

There are many ways of appreciating TCC. One is to realize the harmonizing of the Outer and the Inner that takes place in practice—or, in Zen terms, the harmonizing of the Mind-Body continuum. If we realize the Kidneys are the Great Yin (“Rain Dragons” to the Chinese), while the Heart is the Great Yang (the “Sun”), we begin to see the relationship of Microcosm and Macrocosm- the small, individual lot and that of the Cosmos and beyond. To harmonize the individual Intrinsic Energy with the great Universal Flow, that is the task, and it is easily accomplished thru TCC movements. As it is accomplished, we begin to lead a TCC life. If enough people do so, we may know Peace and Joy in this world.

I have tried to keep TCC as pure as possible, even at the expense of my earning a living. It is important that we prevent deviations in the Teaching and the Practicing. You all know how Churches and Spiritual Organizations often degenerate into self-seeking political centers, with the benefits of the Practice invoved almost completely forgotten. We must never forget that, as we receive rewards ourselves, it is our Way to serve.

– Justin Stone