Clarifying, Clarifying

Practicing T’ai Chi Chih happens in the moment. Since even the slightest movements are important, careful attention must be paid to what the practitioner is doing. Spacing out, not staying in one’s feet, thinking about what’s for dinner is not an option. TCC requires our complete attention. Because of this, though, the rewards are great. Our practice yields clarity within us that many teachers from other disciplines suggest is not possible. Some say it takes many years of practice before such results are achieved. Once they practice TCC, they begin to see the truth of what is lovingly being credited to TCC. But TCC must be kept pure (as it was originated) and performed with focused attention and intention. Only then can clarity (through the vital force) begin to show itself.

To rid butter of its impurities, it has to be slowly heated to high temperatures. As that happens, impurities begin rising to the surface where they can easily be scooped away. A gourmet clarified butter remains. This process also holds true for our TCC practice. The movements cause a wonderful flow of Chi to heat up our entire system (of body, mind emotions, and spirit). What is nottrue about us begins flowing to the surface. Sometimes this may seem confusing and contrary to the peaceful experience of our TCC practice. We may see anxious emotions and negative thinking (which we’ve carried inside us for quite a time) that have kept us from expressing our higher nature – that of freedom, kindness, beauty, caring, or love.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that these undesirable characteristics are what the Chi is creating. But this is not true. The Chi is actually helping to scoop away those ingrained emotions and thinking. And clarity remains, clarity that unveils our higher nature. We laugh more readily and sometimes at ourselves; we care more deeply but not necessarily more emotionally; we love more easily. The problems change because our attitude and our Chi has changed. To paraphrase Justin, as we do our TCC practice, we not only cultivate the Chi, the Chi cultivates us. Clarifying is the way. Then we can start to truly grow into the beautiful beings we were always meant to be. We can love and share the Chi.