A Look at T’ai Chi Chih and Illness

When a prospective student of T’ai Chi Chih asks, “Will it help my arthritis?” the answer should be something like this, “Why don’t you try it and see? You may find benefits you didn’t expect.” Under no circumstance should the teacher answer “Yes!” It would be possible to describe how a certain specific person had been helped, which promises nothing. For instance, John B. once wrote in The Vital Force (or somewhere else) how he went from 255 pounds to 180 pounds. That’s not my opinion; it’s a case history. But we would never want to infer that T’ai Chi Chih is a specific for ANY disease or ailment. It is possible to say that the circulation and balancing of the Chi have helped many people. To the right person (only), it could be said that T’ai Chi Chih practice has wide spiritual effects, but not everybody would understand that. From my personal standpoint, all so-called illness is a spiritual purification, and there is a purpose to it in both our physical and spiritual evolution. However, it is not necessary to hold out a carrot to a potential student: the practice of T’ai Chi Chih is joyous, it’s fun. Being easy, and easily learned, it’s not hard to persuade others to want to do it. I believe everybody is a potential candidate for T’ai Chi Chih. Am I prejudiced? Yes!