Conference Lessons

HYPERLINK “https://taichichih.org/teacher/daniel-pienciak” taichichih.org/teacher/daniel-pienciak

After giving my “Justin Stories” conference talk, I remembered another story. Justin often described a sign over a doorway at a rehab center where he was recovering from cardiac surgery. On that sign were the words, “Habit is the enemy of old age.”

This past Zoom conference offered new insights, new understandings of T’ai Chi Chih (TCC), and in itself was an excellent example of doing things differently.

I learned that other teachers, too, found it challenging to convince students to avail themselves of programs by other teachers. Humans have comfort zones and mostly stay there. Perhaps it feels secure, or we have a belief that a teacher or trainer or type of course is best for us. We cling to the familiar which limits us and can potentially be an enemy to growth (regardless of age). 

My students largely become accustomed to my teaching exclusively, and have been reluctant, with few exceptions, to expand their horizons and attend offerings of other teachers. Despite my encouragement, few attended the conference student day. 

Intensives are for teachers and students to delve more deeply into practice and invite expansion and enrichment. But relatively few teachers choose to attend. Yet teachers and students report and write time and again about game-changing discoveries.

Another teaching by Justin, more than a story, is about being on the spiritual path: “to accord with impermanence.” Surely part of that impermanence is the willingness to stretch, expand, and sometimes let go of former concepts or understandings by opening the path to other.

This Zoom conference certainly provided that opportunity. Many thanks to all who made it possible.