Conference Responses: Entering Cosmic Rhythm

I was impressed again and again at the conference by the number of teachers who live their lives dependent on, trusting in and surrendering to the universal chi, the “Higher Principle.”

That is (seems like) “Entering Cosmic Rhythm” at its finest.

– Jan Arrott
Albuquerque, NM

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Great conference! They just keep getting better!!!

Justin’s talk re: CHI=PRANA=VITAL FORCE=GOD! was powerful. That is what attracted me to T’ai Chi Chih! I had been calling it Incarnational Spirituality, meaning the Divine flowing through flesh, everyone’s. Justin verbalized it differently.

Ed’s direction and instruction was most helpful. Great clarity! I have changed my practice a great deal since last year’s conference and am sure this year’s practice will be better yet: softer, more flowing, and done with greater leisure.

The Saturday sit-down lunch was quite an experience. I felt a bit frustrated at having to choose from so many good options. Then came the summary papers. You did a great job. MANY THANKS!

GOD
IS CHI
IS PRANA
IS LIVING FORCE
IS FLOWING
IS IN
ALL

LIKE
WINDMILLS
TURNING TO
THE UNCARVED BLOCK
WE BALANCE
FLOWING
CHI

– Alice Holden, CCVI
San Antonio, TX

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A memory I won’t forget is the candle lighting ceremony and watching as each one of us lit our candle from the person’s next to us. Then supporting ourselves with a hand on our neighbor’s shoulder we danced in the glowing light.

It was especially meaningful to me since Friday night is the Sabbath–and each Friday evening I light more than two candles because the beginning of the prayer says “with every holy light I kindle, the world is brightened to a higher harmony.” Can you see all the harmony we created with those candles Friday evening!! It was divine. And it is a divine act to teach T’ai Chi Chih. I truly feel it creates a higher harmony and I will continue to do my best to further that creation of harmony.

I feel renewed, rededicated. I will take back to my classes a new approach to shifting the weight. Thank you, Justin. Thank you, Ed. I feel part of a special family and I feel much love.

– Shannon Cooley
Bozeman, MT

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The candle lighting ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to let go of words and allow the T’ai Chi Chih community to meld our energies. I felt wonderfully connected and “enlightened” by the experience. There are no other teachers to be with in Louisiana yet. I am very grateful for our connectedness. I know it helps me when we are physically apart; I stay connected to that Cosmic Rhythm with each of you.

Justin’s video touched me, his willingness to share himself openly and vulnerably.

It was magical to do T’ai Chi Chih together outdoors with the soulful music. All were blessed.

I came home more peaceful with a fresh start approaching my T’ai Chi Chih practice as a beginner, aware in each moment/movement to integrate the many refinements I was shown by Justin and Ed. Thank you.

– Deborah Brown
Lake Charles, LA

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I’d like to congratulate the Albuquerque teachers who worked so hard on planning and running the 13th Annual T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference. Everyone I spoke with had a wonderful time and left the weekend very inspired! I’m also very thankful to Justin for the personal corrections I received from him during the weekend.

For me, the highlights of the conference were seeing Justin’s videotape of his lecture at Folsom Prison, and the open practice on Sunday morning that was attended by over 170 people. Both of these events reflect the growing impact of T’ai Chi Chih in our communities.

I’m looking forward to the conference next year when it will be held in St. Paul, MN. The teachers in the Twin Cities have a wonderful example of how to run a very successful conference.

– Ed Altman
San Rafael, CA

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Congratulations to the entire Albuquerque conference planning and action committee — this year’s conference was the best planned of any I have attended! I especially enjoyed the format of the “Birds of a Feather” lunchtime groups which allowed people to interact naturally on a shared topic of interest, the showing of Justin’s Folsom Prison talk videotape (which truly captures the mood and feeling of actually being there), hearing Ed speak about the challenges and surprises of giving a T’ai Chi Chih teacher accreditation course to inmate Jim Hecker behind Folsom Prison walls, and seeing so many foreign countries represented by T’ai Chi Chih teachers who started the conference off by greeting us in their native tongues.

Thanks again, Albuquerque teachers, for all your hard work in making this year’s conference run so smoothly!

– Noël Altman
San Rafael, CA

A Chance to Spend Some Time Together

This is my 4th conference. I have never been disappointed. What a joy it is to see old friends and meet new ones. What a blessing to be able to come together with so much positive energy. There is so much negative in the world, this is a chance to send POSITIVE out to all we can. We know how much good POSITIVE ENERGY can and does do. Let’s keep the chi flowing and do our part to change our space, right where we are standing.

– Jean Horton
Grand Junction, CO

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Even though our T’ai Chi Chih community is growing, it seems as though the conferences are getting tighter and the feeling of community is stronger.

– Kathy Vieth
St. Louis, MO

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1. Greatest — the outdoor practice at the Pavilion on July 19th — music — great outdoors — great Chi.

2. Impressive — the video — information on the T’ai Chi Chih at Folsom Prison — cheers to Justin and Ed — great possibilities for future.

3. The feeling of following the right principles of movement — stayed with me and hopefully will continue.

4. The organizational efforts of the planning team — rides to the airport, hospitality, etc.

5. The beauty of New Mexico. Wanted more time to socialize.

6. Follow up — a group of us organized by Carolyn from Manhattan gathered in Central Park Sunday, August 2 — Great!!

– Sr. Agnes Fleming
Tarrytown, NY

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If anybody doesn’t know what “Seijaku” means, she/he should’ve been there when we had silent practices at the conference. That is “Seijaku.” I was disappointed not to see teachers I’d become aquainted with years ago, but was happy to meet new ones. The conference revitalized my dedication to TCC and put me back to the “Beginner’s Mind.”

I’ve found a life-time and the best friend in TCC almost ten years ago. It has become my “Oasis.” Whenever I need comfort, joy I want to share–I go to TCC. I cannot find any way to express gratitude to Justin but to do TCC diligently and carefully.

Love to you all,

– Shoko Purdy
Albuquerqe

* * *

The conference was absolutely wonderful! I came home very refreshed and full of enthusiasm. Hopefully next year it will be longer — allowing us to share more and receive more of other TCC teachers’ experiences.

Thank you TCC for uniting us as a family of teachers –and rededicating and enriching our TCC practices.

– Joanne Jaramillo
Whittier, CA

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What does it take to hold a Teachers Conference? Vision! The Albuquerque T’ai Chi Chih teacher (and student!) community recently had the honor of hosting teachers from three foreign countries, as well as across the United States. The Conference provided a great way for us to get together and to rededicate ourselves to our practice. It was made possible by each and every teacher that attended and Rhonda St. Martin.

I single Rhonda out because she held the vision of hosting the conference in New Mexico since at least January of 1997. (I know because she brought it up during a New Mexico TCC Center Board of Director’s meeting as an item she wanted to pursue.) Watching from the sidelines it was amazing to see the Conference take shape. Probably most remarkable was during the final few weeks and days as seemed to “fall” into place. The hotel offered concessions on their fees, necessary items were donated, volunteers kept offering their assistance, whatever needed to happen, did. It all came because of the vision Rhonda held as what she saw as a successful Conference.

The purpose of this letter is not only to express gratitude to Rhonda for a most enjoyable and fulfilling conference but to point to an example of how T’ai Chi Chih can work. We all possess the same tools Rhonda used to coordinate the Conference. We just need to hold the vision of what we want. Rhonda could have been easily swayed or discouraged by events that occurred in the 18 months of planning, but she wasn’t. Nor did she let the conference planning committee be distracted. The results speak for themselves. I encourage each of us to let T’ai Chi Chih enhance our personal visions of how we want things to be and let our TEH shine through. Rhonda never let go and neither should you!

Thank you Rhonda for your leadership!

– Guy Kent
Albuquerque, NM

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Attending my first TCC conference was very exciting and fun. Seeing friends from the TCC community and meeting other teachers created a tapestry of ideas and information. Justin’s talk was very enlightening and inspiring. And Justin’s talk at Folsom prison only proves that he is a true sage and his wisdom and compassion are qualities that touched me beyond words. I was very privileged to have a private visit with Justin, just a few minutes, but as from previous times, I always learn something. In his presence, you are always aware of his TEH and you know there is so much wisdom in his words. I am truly grateful!

The group practice helps fine tune and improve one’s knowledge of each movement. Ed Altman, as appointed Head of TCC, is very qualified indeed and did an excellent job of helping all to focus, be aware, and practice TCC in the purest sense.

Back home, the next day, I was very excited and eager to share my experiences at the conference with my students. I believe that the inspiration to do TCC and to teach TCC has a deeper meaning for me now. Can’t wait for the conference next year!

– Aida Wilkes
Fairfax City, Virginia