Chi Enhancement

At this summer’s Teachers’ Conference I will teach something new, how to increase the power of the CHI (called JING) for your own practice. The spiritual benefits, added to the physical Joy, are very worthwhile. I call the new development “Chi Enhancement”. It is not T’ai Chi Chih (TCC), but, used in conjunction with TCC, it can accomplish wonders. Having found some hints in old Chinese papers, I worked on developing it for my own practice so I could pass it along to teachers. It is not, at this time, to be taught to students, though that time will come. “Chi Enhancement” may eventually wind up as part of Seijaku.

I have never discussed in depth the different stages a TCC teacher can go thru. My observation is that there are three levels, as follows:

1. Having learned the movements and then having been accredited as teachers, daily practice has contributed to the well-being of the practitioners, and there is no better way to learn than to teach. It goes without saying that movements must be done correctly; there are reasons why the movements were taught as they were in the beginning. New teachers are not really ready, at the beginning, to fully understand the substantial and the insubstantial, the polarity, and the meaning of complete circularity, but consistent practice can help bring them to a deeper level, the Essence of T’ai Chi Chih. This first level is certainly compatible with being a good teacher.

2. When the teacher, in his or her own practice, begins to feel that no-one is doing TCC, that TCC is doing TCC, he or she is sinking to a deeper non-ego level. This is usually accompanied by a sense of purpose. I have received many letters telling me how grateful teachers are that TCC has now given their lives real meaning. They want to pass along the joy. This level is not usually available until TCC has been practiced for a few years, and the danger here is that intellectually (or emotionally) minded new teachers may overestimate their own understanding. But, if they have had a taste of teaching from this non-ego level, progress is sure.

3. The new development, enhancement of the JING, can take teachers to the third level admittedly not achieved by too many. As the inner power is developed, I believe the teacher’s own growth is equal to that of the Indian Yogis who have progressed in Siddha training. Possibilities are unlimited, and with the progress comes a sense of gratitude. Obviously such progress is not possible for the argumentative person. I believe the sincerity of teachers will now make it possible for many to advance to this level, with great portent for the future.

Why am I offering such things as Sole Breathing and this new development since I obviously receive no financial benefits from it? Why don’t I just keep it for my own practice, as do some teachers I have met in India, Taiwan, Japan, etc.? It is because I feel TCC has a much greater future, one that can benefit the world, if it is kept pure. You, as teachers, have a greater opportunity than you know, and I feel most of you will want to advance beyond the first level. Hence, my offering “Chi Enhancement” at the Conference. Hope to see you this summer.