A Tradition

For the second year in a row, in early December, a T’ai Chi Chih candlelight practice was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, where a dynamic TTC community has developed. The peaceful setting was an ideal place for a silent practice, and it was a time of shared joy. A Southern California TCC tradition has been born.

Luminarias lined the narthex, and soft flute melodies filled the air as TCC practitioners began to stream in, a few at first, until a total of 40 men and women stood in circles in the candle-lit sanctuary. One by one, we lit each other’s handheld candles. We collectively offered a heartfelt tribute to Justin Stone, to Phyllis Luyken on her 90th birthday and to other notables from the TCC community. (Phyllis was the first TCC teacher in Ventura and Oxnard.) We moved and flowed together in a kind of mesmerizing oneness.