Birthday Greetings for Justin

This issue of The Vital Force is dedicated to Justin F. Stone for his 70th Birthday

Justin received an album of poems, cards, drawings, art, and photographs from teachers. Many of the poems appear in this special issue.

THE VITAL FORCE would like to thank Justin for sharing the gift of his life with all of us — T’ai Chi Chih!

The Chinese say the 70th year is the beginning of the second childhood. In celebration of Justin’s birthday we should remember the words of 20th century Western philosopher – Tom Robbins –

“It’s never too late
to have a
happy childhood!”

THE VITAL FORCE thanks Barbara Roberts for originating the idea of the birthday greetings in this special edition.

* * *

Dear Justin,

The Chinese symbol for JOY (le) which also means “music” is perfect for the man who introduced body discipline, love of knowledge and the joy of movement to me. I bet you didn’t ever know you did all that.

I consulted the I Ching to ask why you and T’ai Chi Chih were introduced into my life and would you continue to influence people. The hexagram (which I threw twice) is #50. Cosmic Order!

Have a happy, joyous 70th. You are loved by many.

– Jean Sproehnle

* * *

T’ai Chi Chih
Moving in quietness
I am still.

Centered in beingness
I am Life.

– Carolyn Shaw
with Profound Thanks to Justin–Happy Birthday!

* * *

Dear Justin,

Eternal thanks for your life and for T’ai Chi Chih, through which, for me, many of life’s questions have been replaced with certainty and joy.

Happy Birthday with Love,

– Corinn

* * *

Dear Justin,

Happy Birthday! I cannot thank you enough for sharing T’ai Chi Chih with the universe.

Words are not enough. All my Love and Joy be with You.

– Chris Worcester

* * *

Dear Justin,

I share my experience with my students, yet it occurs to me that I have never shared this with you in words. It feels appropriate to do so now on the occasion of your 70th birthday.

For me T’ai Chi Chih has provided the way home. For many years I searched through the “World of 10,000 things” for Ultimate Reality. I looked diligently through religions, education, psychic phenomena, metaphysics and transformational trainings. I developed an intellectual knowledge of Reality and how the Universe works.

It took TCC to bring me down out of my head! The simple, regular practice of TCC is cultivating within me an expanding and growing experiential knowledge of who I Am.

Justin, I love and respect you. I deeply honor your commitment to share T’ai Chi with the world. Thank you for originating the simple, yet so effective form we know as T’ai Chi Chih! Thank you for sharing the beauty of T’ai Chi with me.

Happy Birthday! Love,

– Pam Towne

* * *

Justin Stone is unique to this Planet. He lives a different rhythm than most. If the world had more people living at his frequency, it would be a world of more giving, more creative energy, more balance, more awareness.

Happy Birthday, Justin! Seventy is a magnificient magical number.

Lovingly,

– Cathleen

* * *

To Justin,

Happy Everyday as you become 70 years young. You have given me the great gift of T’ai Chi Chih. My gift to you is to give T’ai Chi Chih to many others.

– Adele Wenig

* * *

For Justin,

Jewel of Knowledge
Understanding, teaching–
Sincere
Thanks for all your giving
In willingness, from the heart.
Now have a wonderful birthday!

Warmly,

– Jean Katus

* * *

Dear Justin:

To an eternity of joy!
Happy Birthday
Justin

Love,

– Liz Salada

* * *

stuff, inside-outside
Just stuff
Self…
watching stuff-parade
why add stuff to SELF?

– Steve Ridley
10-21-86

* * *

We meet
in space
not bound by time
bow
begin

Moving softly –
gently —
light the touch
the Master smiles
ease, joy
continue friend

Voice speaks
soft
Thunder loud

awake – renewed

Light moves Light
and Love
radiance round

Happy Birthday Justin, Nov. 1986

– Love, Carmen

* * *

Chi whizz, Justin, it’s your birthday. Have a happy one!

– Virginia Shilson

* * *

JOY
SILLY JOY
NO NEED FOR
A REASON
For the Birthday Boy!!!

Thanks and Love

– Teen

* * *

For Justin:

“Out of the mud blooms the lotus.” That seems to state where my life was before TCC–muddy, cluttered, unfocused. But TCC, just as the lotus rises out of the mud, took me above the mundane and gave new direction to my life. As I approach my 70th year, it is not with apprehension but with Joy!

Thank you, Justin, for providing a way to inner peace and harmony.

Fondly,

– Lois Mahaney

* * *

To Justin:

Early morning T’ai Chi Chih
Beneath the old spruce,
Feeling reverence for life

Fresh delicate rain mist,
Happy sparrows singing spring,
Joy, joy, joy …

Within
The Cosmic Consciousness Pose,
Love rings through every cell

Remembering Master Stone.

– Steve Ridley

* * *

Birthday Greetings!

Dear Justin,

It is 10 years now since I started learning TCC movements.

Practicing almost every day,
“Yinning and yanging” brings chi
to my body and spirit,
to everything my senses perceive,
to all beyond that,
and to all my students.

How can we thank you for life itself?

We thank you anyway.

– Willy Juncosa

* * *

Gratitude is Energy is Joy!

Gratitude is Energy is Joy
helps Body, Mind, and Spirit alloy
while Vital Force renders avoirdupois
as T’ai Chi Chih enlightens hoi polloi.

Happiest Seventieth Justin!

– VITI

* * *

An Open Letter to Justin—from Joy

Dear Justin,

I send warmest wishes for your 70th birthday, and want to extend to you my heartfelt thanks for the gift of T’ai Chi Chih. After taking the teachers’ course from Steve last summer, TCC has helped me to “come alive at sixty-five!” and has given me a wonderful way to make that transition from an active career into semi-retirement. So, the golden thread from your beautiful gift has woven a network including students practicing T’ai Chi Chih in Bullhead City, in Arizona’s magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

Thank you, Justin, and many happy returns!

– Joy Carle Barbour
Bullhead City, AZ

* * *

Justin’s Birthday:

“Greetings from home base.”

– Rick Cramer
Albuquerque

* * *

For Mr. Stone,

This is the only poem I have ever written and the words just flowed to paper as I wrote it in 1978. They came to me after a life changing experience in the Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali coast of Kauai, The Valley of “light.”

With Birthday Regards,

– Kirby

A new way of life
A new way to live
following the sun
learning to give…

Warm in the Rays
facing the sea
feeling the feeling
it is to feel free.

So onward I rush
Upward I fly
Caught in the magic
of a natural High!