Dipped in the Hot Wax of Knowledge

He would take a long wick made of cotton and weighted down. The hot wax was ready so he could plunge each wick inside a vessel. He pulled each out and let it solidify in the open air. After drying, he would once again dip the forming candle in the hot wax so another thin layer would coat the first one. He would repeat this process until it formed a candle full of substance and strength able to stand on its own. It would also have to be beautiful. Each candle would resemble another while being slightly different. The candles would be useful, ready to give light to the purchaser – a soft, yellow, bright, glowing light.

This vision of a candle being formed reminded me of all the times I was dipped into the hot wax of knowledge during TCC practice. Every time we attend a workshop or retreat, we indicate a willingness to be dipped and start anew. A thin layer of understanding of how Chi works in our own body takes shape. We let it mold this awareness of how to move in our own practice. Little by little, it takes hold layer by layer, solidifying the essence that was present from the beginning. It is now brought forth in our own consciousness. And after such an immersion, we return home renewed, to share our light with our students, so they can find theirs.

I love this journey of being dipped over and over again, of going back to the source that reveals itself inside of ourselves. Justin would always ask, “Are you doing your practice? Are you teaching?” That was the most important thing to him. He entrusted us with this knowledge of the Supreme Ultimate, this knowledge of starting to recognize who we are.

In French it is, “Ce voyage en vaut bien la chandelle,“ meaning “This journey is well worth the candle.” Did you know Justin spoke French? There are many things we don’t know about him, but if we want to discover who he was, and still is, we have to be willing to go there to discover our own truth through what he shared with the world. These movements will give us freedom and knowledge in our own journey through the discipline of TCC.