1st T’ai Chi Chih Center Opens

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Carmen Brocklehurst

The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day. Just the kind of day for new beginnings. So much planning had gone on before, (as Justin says, “These things don’t just happen by accident.”) incorporation papers had been filed with the State of New Mexico, a board had been elected by the New Mexico TCC Teachers to begin creating an organization, rental space was found and contracts were signed. TCC teachers offered and gave of their time, money, paintings and furniture, work on non-profit status was started, a new sign was created that has the same lettering as the front of the T’ai Chi Chih textbook, and an Open House was planned and invitations sent out. All this so that we could have a home that we could call OUR own.

With cookies, cakes, finger food, and punch we all waited eagerly for our guests to arrive. The day started with the 1st TCC Review class held at the center. I felt very honored to be with so many students, both from other teachers and my own classes; about 30 people came. (We were very intimate, but no one seemed to mind; we were doing T’ai Chi Chih.) After the 2 hour review everything was set out with both teachers and students lending a hand. Then came the most wonderful surprise of all, friends came to call, to wish us well in our new home, and they kept coming from 2 to 5. For most of the time the room was so full that we almost couldn’t get another person in. But as with all T’ai Chi Chih happenings, there was a FLOW, some people left, some people stayed and more and more came; about 300 plus. Friends saw friends who didn’t know that they too were interested in T’ai Chi Chih, and people met for the first time. We even had out of town teachers visiting. Maggie Hall, Vic Berg, and Hope Burla joined us and everyone ate and laughed and talked.

Justin gave a short talk about how the Center had come into being, about how special all the T’ai Chi Chih teachers are, the good wishes that had come from the teachers from all over the U.S. and how we are looking forward to the many classes that we will now be able to have. There were several TCC demonstrations, books were sold, people found out about Justin’s upcoming Lecture on September 30 (Enlightenment) and about the Meditation Retreat Nov. 4-6 and about the TV series. Pictures were taken and a great time was had by all.

We all left with the feeling that Albuquerque and the T’ai Chi Chih family everywhere were happy that we now have an outer home to reflect the beautiful home that lives inside all of us. Thank you all for the warm wishes and gifts. Remember to come visit your home often.