Creativity (March 1999)

Where do great ideas come from? It is easy to say, “Out of my head, of course.” But is that true? People find that when they read a book, go to a museum, or invite creative people to engage in conversation that all of a sudden they are inspired. It is as if someone turned on a switch and ideas began to flow. But it isn’t just our head that is turned on. Our feeling nature also becomes active, and many times we are moved to take action. If it is simply an outside impetus, we will very likely see that the “new” thing being created looks very much like someone else’s work of art work, or it has similar rhythms to the music we just heard. This kind of creativity comes from outside of ourselves and many times it is temporary. Go to any bookstore and look at book after book written with a formula; the names and places have been changed, but the story line is the same.

Creativity that makes an impact is the kind that comes from within. This creative urge is new and refreshing to the spirit. It also opens doors to more and more creativity as long as we are receptive. I would offer T’ai Chi Chih as that kind of creative urge.

T’ai Chi Chih also inspired the birth of Seijaku. It would be easy to spend the next few paragraphs talking about the impact T’ai Chi Chih has made in the world in its short life. It is possible that you are thinking, “Well, we are all glad that Justin Stone is so creative, but what about me? Do I have any creativity within me?” T’ai Chi Chih is a wonderful way to access our creativity. Many have already discovered that true creativity doesn’t come from trying to cram more ideas inside ourselves. It comes by being quiet enough to experience the ideas we already have. T’ai Chi Chih allows us to experience that quiet.

Next time you finish your T’ai Chi Chih practice take five minutes and sit quietly. Have a note pad and pen handy. As ideas come, write them down even if they don’t seem to make sense. Creativity is what keeps life flowing. It is love made manifest. Let your creativity flow and share your vision with us.

Perhaps one of the ideas that will come is how you can help promote T’ai Chi Chih. If so, write to Ed and offer your help. We are all needed.