Conversation Starters To Continue At The 2017 Conference

Topic 1: Giving and Receiving Correction: Aligning with Teh and the Continually Evolving Vital Force

T’ai Chi Chih is an unending journey toward oneself and toward Oneness with all things. Justin Stone reminded us often that we are all in a state of “Becoming” and that TCC can greatly influence our path.

Antonia Cooper shared in The Vital Force (May 2013), “It cannot be stated enough that we are all at different levels of softness and embodying the effort of no effort in our practice, but as we come to understand how to move in applying the principles, our form will change and blossom and become even softer and flowing without effort.”

Justin expressed his trust in each TCC teacher by not requiring recertification. Instead, he believed teh, the power of inner sincerity and integrity, will lead teachers to find ways to continually improve their practice. He also shared that sincere teachers will gradually come to realize and embody the true way of movement in TCC.

At this year’s conference, we would like to discuss how we may more fully embody teh to accord with the continually evolving Vital Force in our TCC practice. Some ideas for discussion:

What is our relationship to our practice? Are we truly open to the Chi guiding and “growing” us or do we, on some level, believe we have arrived? What can we do to support continual growth in our practice?

How do we receive correction? Does our ego kick in and lead us to react with defensiveness and/or does our inner critic take over and make us feel unworthy? When anchored in our tan t‘ien, might a different response be possible? How would the tan t’ien receive a correction?

How do we give correction to our students and fellow teachers? What calls us to offer a correction? Where are we coming from when we give correction? Is there judgment? Are we seeking, on some level, to establish that we are right and they are wrong? What is the most supportive way to give a correction?

How do we resolve differences amongst ourselves without creating polarization? How can we explore our differences in a way that honors what is alive and true and evolving in each of us?

Justin was continually correcting teachers and serious students and encouraged us to correct our students and ourselves. Some teachers sought out and looked forward to corrections by Justin; others shrank from it; some never had the chance to know what their response would be. As teachers, may we contemplate the possibility that we stand in for Justin, for ourselves, for our students and for each other? Imagine that a generous and kind TCC colleague might offer a key to unlock your practice, and that you might be that change-agent for someone else.

Topic 2: The Physical & the Spiritual in T’ai Chi Chih

The highlight of past conferences, while Justin was with us, was the spiritual lecture he offered. Just because he’s not here to inspire and prod us doesn’t mean we can’t do that for each other. Spending four days with others who have devoted their time and energy to sharing TCC is a gift. If we use our time well and take advantage of giving and receiving, it’ll be the gift that keeps on giving.

What brought you to TCC? What brings most of your students? What has kept you doing TCC all these years? Are you curious or befuddled when you read Justin’s writings and see all those Japanese, Chinese and Sanskrit words? What was your teacher’s relationship with Justin’s writings?

We’ll break into small groups to share whether we came to TCC primarily for physical or spiritual reasons, and whether and how that focus has changed over the years. We’ll also share how our personal experience of TCC as a physical and/or spiritual practice influences and guides our teaching and our relationship with Justin’s writings, and the way we share Justin’s philosophical/spiritual writings with our students.

Suggested Reading: You may wish to re-read Justin’s short essay, “The Physical & the Spiritual in T’ai Chi Chih,” published in Spiritual Odyssey (Good Karma Publishing). This article is also available for free at taichichih.org (under Justin Stone > articles). Also, free for download are transcriptions of intriguing lectures Justin offered at previous conferences, including my (Lisa) favorite, “Cosmic Rhythm;” available at gkpub.org.

These are rich topics to help us explore possibilities for sharing and personal growth. Honesty and openness with ourselves and with each other will allow us to more fully embody teh in our practice, in our teaching and in our relations with each other. When we accord with Chi as it develops and guides us, our community can grow and flourish, and the practice of TCC can spread far and wide. As Justin said, “The teachers’ teh is our jewel, and I fully expect this great power to bring T’ai Chi Chih to deserving people all over the planet.”