Abandon Hope: A Message of True Hope

The first two sentences of Abandon Hope summarize the whole of what is important to Justin: “The mystery of Being is the matter that concerns us all. Next to the activity of Being, politics is child’s play, business is a superficial game, and war is the squawking of alley cats.”

Thus is Abandon Hope a very important book for anyone interested in T’ai Chi Chih because, in it, Justin summarizes the events and philosophies that most influenced his life. He also introduces us to some of the most important people in his life. It may be a small book, but very weighty matters lie between its covers.

Why should this concern us? It’s important to know the basis and context from which T’ai Chi Chih was originated. All that Justin experienced is found in T’ai Chi Chih. Its depth can be felt each time we practice. Its beauty is this: it is not fixed. It can take an aspirant as deeply as he or she is willing to go. Abandon Hope leads students in the same way.

How can Abandon Hope can be used in an Intermediate T’ai Chi Chih class? Beginning with the first class, I assign one or two chapters each week as homework. The glossary alone is worth its weight in gold whether a student is interested in studying Oriental and Indian Philosophy or wanting to know the impetus that led to Justin originating T’ai Chi Chih. I ask students to underline passages important to them. Don’t be surprised if the ideas that most touch your heart have never been considered by your students. Be gentle with them; the ideas they highlight will help them go more deeply with their T’ai Chi Chih practice.

Since the concept of “hope” is greatly misinterpreted in our society, many adults in my class have trouble with the title of the book. One 11-year-old student who took the class after his little sister died tackled this sentence: “Only by abandoning hope for the future can we know life in the present.” The boy said, “It’s like being in a trusty boat that’s been out in the water many times, but now has a leak. You remember that the boat was a good boat, but it isn’t so good now. So the best thing to do is get out of the boat [our old ideas] and swim to shore [start thinking in a new way] — because that leak can drown you if you don’t do something.” Through reading Abandon Hope and doing his T’ai Chi Chih practice, the young boy moved beyond the depression that came with his sister’s death.

One of my favorite images in Abandon Hope is of Ramana Maharshi. Lengthy, interesting class discussions usually spring forth from students simply gazing at his face. What do you see when looking into the eyes of such an exceptional teacher? Maharshi asked his students to answer only one question: Who am I? Looking into this question is a great way to move beyond the answer of being a father, sister, friend, CEO, or filing clerk.

We often forget the problems that might have propelled us to take a T’ai Chi Chih class. The chapter entitled “The Growth of Certainty” helps us and our students realize the new depths we are reaching because of our practice. It is this depth that we have come to experience.

Abandon Hope isn’t intent upon converting readers to Buddhism. However, it does give readers a bird’s eye view of what’s important to this way of thought. Buddha awakened to the knowledge that it was possible to end suffering and instructed his followers along the “Road to the Extinction of Suffering.” Since Justin traveled and studied extensively throughout India and the Orient, he writes with authority in Abandon Hope about the differences between these teachings in Japan and Tibet. The philosophies that Justin sets forth in Abandon Hope are the beginning of a discovery process toward open-heartedness. After reading Abandon Hope, one student asked if it was possible to become a T’ai Chi Chih teacher and still remain a Catholic. The answer is simple: T’ai Chi Chih has nothing to do with religion, but everything to do with an open heart.

Softness comes after we find compassion within ourselves and for ourselves. Justin’s original poetry in Abandon Hope is often short — sometimes only one or two lines — but always heartfelt. One of my favorite poems always brings a smile to my heart and reads: “After passion — shyly comes — compassion.” My classes end each week with students reading their favorite Justin Stone poem. The readings tell quite a bit about the student’s true depth of feeling. When asked, “What does that poem mean to you?” the answers often bring tears. Many times there is no discussion after the reading.

For as many times as I have read Abandon Hope, I always learn something new from each reading. Pick a page — any page — and read one paragraph before you go to bed. See if it cuts through a problem that arose during the day. See if it allows you to sleep more soundly. Abandon Hope challenges my students, but in the end they love it.