1991 Teachers Conference Responses

1991 T’ai Chi Chih Teachers Conference, Inver Hills, Minnesota

Conference

A few words of gratitude from the Northland of Minnesota.

“Magne takk” (a Norwegian thank you) for coming to Minnesota for our T’ai Chi Chih family conference. Without you it wouldn’t have been as special as it was. Some said that if it hadn’t been as accessible (driveable) and reasonable (financially) they wouldn’t have been able to come and they would have gone yet another year just wishing they could attend a T’ai Chi Chih conference.

“Magne takk” (many thanks) to Bernice Playle and the others for their part in making this possible.

The conference was a rewarding experience for me on a personal note because it caused a gathering of wonderful friends, pushed emotional buttons which required action-reaction, showed me the family situation from another perspective. It also gave me the balance through movement (group intensive T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku) the physical and mental conditioning needed to face the long awaited news. After having been listed as “missing in action” 22 years ago, shot down in Laos (the Vietnam conflict) they found the physical body remains of my beloved brother Bob Engen. Proving once again that these movements can help us face our darkest hours and emerge through the emotional pain a survivor.

Three cheers for Justin Stone, Steve Ridley and T’ai Chi Chih!

– Jeanne Carlson-Linscott
Bemidji, MN

Certainly was an awesome week at Inver Grove, very inspiring to be around Justin and Steve. I’d like for all us instructors to set goals with our T’ai Chi Chih teaching…..How about spreading it to so many people that World Peace is inevitable! or think of what’s the greatest thing I can do with my teaching, then take it one step further and make that your goal. After all we have no limits.

– Gary Halden
Two Harbors, MN

It was so good to see all the teachers again. Each TCC Conference is unique. I missed the “regulars” who were unable to attend this year, but what a joy to meet so many new, enthusiastic teachers. The love and companionship that permeates our conferences never fails to amaze and delight me. Love,

– Virginia Shilson
Albuquerque, NM

Effortlessly shifting weight
timelessly passing clouds
essentially alive!

– Diana Daffner

More Conference Notes

What a wonderful conference! It was such a treat to met with other members of our TCC family and, of course, to have the chance to meet Justin and see Steve again. The Minnesotans should certainly be commended for their marvelous job in coordinating the countless details necessary, and for providing us with such beautiful weather to enjoy our time together. I left feeling love, warmth, renewal, and the joy of meeting old and new friends.

My love and best wishes,

– Roxann Post
Riviera, AZ

P.S. I was so sorry to have not been able to stay for Seijaku! I’ve written and told Justin that “whenever and wherever” he next offers it, I will be with him. I felt that having been so recently accredited, it would have been impertinent of me to think I was “ready” for further instruction…but I will sign up for it the next time I have an opportunity.

* * *

Hello my fellow T’ai Chi-ers! I greet you thus, soaring 35,000 feet above our Mother Earth, returning from Minnesota to Santa Barbara on great, silver wings.

As I look out of my window into the deep blue of the Heavens, I relive the loving, sharing of the Teachers’ Conference, the awesome power of the Seijaku course, and the last five days of playfulness in this lush, green State. Because of it all, I believe myself to be flying 10,000 feet higher than the other passengers!!

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all who made the conference happen. I truly received so much on so many levels. And my heartfelt gratitude goes out to Justin for the gift of Seijaku, to which my body, mind and soul responds so joyously.

In Love and Light,

– Diana Celmayster
Santa Barbara, CA

With a fullness in my heart, I wish to share that my T’ai Chi Chih conference experience has once again filled me with refreshment and renewal. The lavish abundance of TCC is so beautifully shared as is the bonding and connections of old friends and new. This time of coming together is an annual retreat I have enjoyed the past three years. It is a vital part of my TCC life. Each conference has its own uniqueness, giving me rich memories and reawakening my potential for perfection. I encourage those of you who have not attended a conference to look at the possibility of experiencing the next one. I place it on my “abundance list” (wish list, treasure map, whatever you choose to call it) annually, with the vision of a rich and rewarding conference.

I extend a warm-hearted thanks to Justin, Steve and their continuous love and spirit of chi; and to the Minneapolis teachers: Jeanne, Bernice, Mark, Karen, Mary and Marty and those unknown to me for your willingness and hard work in support of this conference.

– Lynne Blackford
Missoula, MT

Sr. Francis A. Kay shares:…What mysteries abound! The wonder of unfolding energies of T’ai Chi Chih–and now, Seijaku, are without limit. Yet, only through the deep caring of Justin, and Steve, and one another, can they be released. They were..thank you, my God, for such tremendous gifts!

Additional Conference Notes

The conference becomes even more special to me in retrospect, and I’m so glad I got to meet so many fascinating people. I feel greater smoothness and continuity in my practice already. And I feel a renewed drive to teach. Thank you Jeanne and Bernice and all the other Minnesota teachers whose work and organization made the conference and Seijaku course possible. And of course, my deep thanks to Steve and Justin.

– Amy Hackenberg
Chicago, IL

Pam Towne says, “A heartfelt THANK YOU to my TCC family for a nurturing, inspiring experience at the Teachers Conference! I especially appreciate being able to stay for Seijaku and have the Loving Chi continue to build.”

Conference Notes, Etc.

“They that live beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.” W. Penn

Within a day of returning from the Teachers Conference and Seijaku course, I received news that a dear friend had died in a backhoe “accident.” I felt a jolt. For the nth time that day I recalled Justin’s words: What is the cause of our suffering? Attachment to self.

My two young children had not wished me to leave them to be in Minneapolis. It was not easy for them to part with me, vice versa. My husband, Jim, and my teacher, Carmen, had been extremely supportive of my going, and I had a feeling way deep inside that it was vital for me to go.

During my five days with Justin, there were many moments when I had ideas on what I could share with those unseen and unmet teachers, through the Vital Force. I am a new teacher and felt totally included, welcomed at any table I approached at mealtime, embraced by openness and warmth. The other ideas I considered sharing dim in the present moment.

In the grief, I randomly opened a book Jim was reading and saw the words

“He sees the lamp of eternity shining through the mist of transiency.
He rises from the howling tempest of birth and death.
Physically, he is, and will be no more,
but spiritually he is living forever, unborn and imperishable.
Because he has founded his kingdom in the Pure Land..

I am so grateful to have had the grace to be with you, Justin, Steve and fellow Teachers. To those of you who were not there, I sure would like to meet you at next year’s conference. If I had not been there, I would be in a very, very different place right now.

– Connie Hyde
Cedar Crest, NM

Letter from Vicki Brodie re Conference feedback.

Listening to Justin speak about T’ai Chi Chih is one of those special experiences some of us can’t seem to get enough of…soaking up as much of his wisdom and knowledge as possible…learning what we can while we have the opportunity to hear and discuss T’ai Chi Chih with him in person.

Justin’s talk about being a spiritual person while having and acquiring wealth is something more people need to hear and heed so they can better understand what might appear to be a real conflict of values to them. I hope it was recorded and/or will be published verbatim in the Vital Force so it can be heard, read, and reread again and again.

Being at the Conference also gave me a chance to meet and talk with other T’ai Chi Chih instructors about their experiences, and to discuss a little further with them some of what they said in their articles I had read in the Vital Force.

More Conference Notes

There sure are a lot of talented T’ai Chi Chih instructors around as evidenced by Saturday night’s entertainment. And what a delight it was to see and hear Justin, Steve, and Cricket making music together!

I am convinced we should have a conference every year. And again, I want to go on record as saying I will not miss an International T’ai Chi Chih Conference unless some serious unforeseen circumstances keep me from going.

In addition to what I’ve already said, I thought my four roommates were great!…the tea ceremony a pleasant experience..the campus location just fine…and the food good and plentiful.

In addition to all of the above my husband and daughter met me Sunday night in Minnesota, and we spent a pleasant family vacation in the Midwestern United States. While I realize this might not work out for everybody, it gave us a good excuse to travel to and from somewhere none of us had been before.

..With love and joy to you all.

Lise Calestagne writes: Another great conference! A big family where unity and love are the key words. Once again Justin and Steve shared so generously their knowledge and their love. What a nourishment!

I think it was very nice to have Seijaku after the conference, the energy was already flowing. We were ready for it. The only way for me to describe those two and a half days is to tell you how I felt afterwards: Despite a very profound peace and calm feeling, yet a very high level of energy. I felt I was connected with the infinite source within me. Joy and Peace.

Jeanne Carlson-Linscott offers this: Many thanks to Justin for taking this time to share the HEART WARMING movements of Seijaku. Thanks also to Steve Ridley and all the participants for sharing their high vibrations. This was really a magificent memory. I love you all.