Vital Force Experiences

Tantra says that every cell of the body can be brought to a point of Bliss. If one will do T’ai Chi Chih and then remain quiet for a period of time – not thinking, not planning, not conceptualizing – he or she can experience the same thing. With absolute quiet of the mind, a  pulsation will be noticed throughout the body. The movement of the Chi can plainly be felt, and that feeling is one of Bliss.

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.

As one practices TCC, the quality of the Chi definitely changes. So many say, ‘I really can’t remember what I was like before T’ai Chi Chih.’ As the Chi is circulated and balanced, habit energies tend to fade and one no longer feels compelled to follow dubious paths of action. One now feels more in control of (and responsible for) his or her actions. This is known as ‘burning the karmic seeds.’ It is the best reason I know to practice TCC, aside from the joyful feeling such practice brings. Serenity and better health are the results of this balancing and circulation. And it is so easy to accomplish!

How to act? To live in a straightforward manner, to speak in a truthful manner (not as easy as it sounds), is enough. The prajna, the inherent wisdom that is in all of us, will take care of the rest. Huineng said, ‘The straightforward mind is an enlightened mind. – Justin F. Stone

Though I have been unable to detect a purpose to this life, I have enjoyed the quiet of the trees and the sunlight on the water. Should I be fated to return, I would like to work to still the hatred in people’s hearts. -- Justin Stone

Your task is not to find someone to believe in or some doctrine in which to take refuge (though this is very comfortable). It is to realize Who and What You are (and I don’t mean a name). Then you manifest Who and What you really are; that is Love.” (Justin Stone, Spiritual Odyssey)

When we perform T’ai Chi Chih properly we feel the results. Since we are, essentially, a conflux of moving energies, stimulating and balancing the Intrinsic Energy (Chi) affects our whole being. The effects seem to be personal but, in truth, they are widespread. Just as our Enlightenment is saving all beings, so does the balancing of the Universal Energy affect both the outer and the inner…. We do not heal symptoms; we become whole.” (Spiritual Odyssey)

Why is it necessary to keep the concentration in the soles of the feet while doing T’ai Chi Chih? First, having a point of concentration keeps the mind from wandering…. Second, the tan t’ien, the spot two inches below the navel, is the all-important place Chi is stored. It is the seed of intuition and the most important spot from the Chinese standpoint…. The Tu Mu meridian channel that comes down the front, goes through the tan t’ien and reaches the soles of the feet, is called the Chu or bubbling spring. By concentrating in the soles of the feet, we serve the same purpose: Bringing the Chi down to the tan t’ien…. Third and most important from a health standpoint, we want to bring the heart fire, that is the Yang of the heart, down instead of letting the Yin of the kidneys rise.

"A Chinese monk once said, ‘When the mind is transparent and pure as if reflected on the mirror-like surface of the water there is nothing in the world you would dislike. When it is serene as the light breeze in the sunshine there will be no one whom you would like to forget.’ Such  serenity is rare in these hectic days. Nevertheless, it is possible." -- Justin Stone

"It is much easier and more suitable for our way of life to work from the other side, to directly cultivate the Chi itself, to free it so it circulates easily. And to balance the negative and positive aspects of this Vital Force, the Yin and Yang Chi. Looking from the other end, we will find that such practice automatically influences the mind and brings about the desired results." -- Justin Stone