Integrity

T’ai Chi Chih is a mindfulness-moving meditation practice that’s easy to learn. The series of 19 movements and one pose helps circulate the Vital Energy, the Chi. Practitioners experience peace, improved health, and many more benefits. Our free monthly e-newsletter offers inspiration between issues of the TCC quarterly journal, The Vital Force, in which teachers and students tell stories about ways they’ve benefited from the practice. 

Integrity is not only desirable, but also vital. – Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator

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From the recent issue of The Vital Force:

Consistency: “The benefits of TCC are deep. They’re not always visible to a casual observer. Someone watching from the outside may see only slow, gentle movements and wonder what possible benefits there are to this practice. But the student who has committed to the practice knows what’s happening beneath the surface: greater balance, a quieter nervous system, the slow mending of the connection between body and spirit. These things don’t come from going through the motions. They come from bringing our whole self to a low horizon, day after day, with care.” – SH, Hawaii

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Editor’s Note: Learn more from TCC teachers with more than 25 years of experience in the February issue of The Vital Force.

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Softness: “Being a good TCC student takes determination, patience, awareness, and practice. First, learning the movements seems to require a lot of effort, both mentally and physically. Over time, after many classes and countless practices, we come to a place of knowing, a comfortable, familiar place. We begin to move with ease and softness as if it were effortless. We get out of our analytical heads and understand that ‘Softness and continuity are the essence of T’ai Chi Chih,’ as Justin Stone said. Instead of trying ‘so hard,’ why not try ‘so soft’?” – DK, Midland Park, NJ

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Flow: “When the Chi is flowing, I realize I’m not separate from the universe, but rather a conscious part of it. I guess I’m a bit of stardust. This is what my simple watercolor (above) means to me. It’s what I often see in my mind’s eye when my hands reach out.” –KL

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Teh: T’ai Chi Chih and integrity (teh), the power of inner sincerity, are one and the same thing. All things proceed from one Reality, which remains the same. The leaves fall to the ground in autumn, but there will be leaves on the tree again in springtime; the root remains the same. Seeing the trees against the sky, we sense a spiritual power. – Justin F. Stone

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Where in the World have you been doing T’ai Chi Chih? Share your images for our gallery.

Want more inspiration? Want a connection with the global TCC community? Want tips for better practice? Join us:

Subscribe to The Vital Force. Our quarterly journal offers engaging stories, hints, and insights from TCC teachers and students. We also highlight wisdom by the originator, Justin Stone, and rarely seen photos.