Direct Transmission From the Master

KARMIC COMMENTS

Direct Transmission From the Master

How many of you have met Justin Stone? How many of your students have met Justin Stone? How many of your student’s students have met Justin Stone?

As time passes, fewer and fewer among us will have ever interacted with Justin in person. (And even many who have interacted with him have not plumbed the depths of his writings.) Materials by Justin Stone offer a window into, a direct link to, the originator of T’ai Chi Chih. It could be said that you can’t know T’ai Chi Chih without knowing about Justin’s life and experiences. His works actually encourage you to do the work for yourself.

Ask yourself: do you owe it to yourself, your students, and the practice to know the entire oeuver of Justin Stone? Do you owe it to yourself to work with his instructional dvd on a continuing basis? Do you owe it to your students – to help them get the most out of T’ai Chi Chih – to enable them to receive a direct transmission through his dvd?

Yes, this is a strong pitch to staying firmly connected to the originator.

Web Site: www.gkpub.com

As hopefully you know, the new Good Karma Publishing web site is up and running. It includes a complete e-commerce section on ordering dvds, books, cds, audio tapes, and Justin’s poster. (The first time that teachers log in to create an account, the site will verify that you are indeed a teacher. And during the check out process, your order will reflect the normal teacher discount.) You may also request a catalog or download an order form.

The web site contains many more elements, too. Choice morsels two video clips from Justin’s instructional dvd; transcriptions of talks given at conferences over the years (also available as free downloads); press clippings; previously published articles by Justin from The Vital Force and the New Mexico T’ai Chi Chih News; and wallpaper graphics. There are also informational sections on T’ai Chi Chih, Justin Stone, Good Karma Publishing, and The Vital Force.

Feedback is quite welcome and encouraged.

EVENTS

Workshop with Sr. Antonia Cooper in St. Paul, MN; July 13-14

With Sue Bitney (Teacher, Richfield, MN) and Kathy Sullivan (Student, Rochester, MN)

(Sue) Why did you attend the training?

(Kathleen) I wanted to find out if I’d been told all I needed to know to practice T’ai Chi Chih correctly and to see if I had good understanding of what I heard.

(S) What did you hope to learn – or get out of – the training?

(K) I anticipated practicing with the guidance of a respected teacher and hoped it would change my life in some healthful way. I planned to stay attentive and open to the experience, whatever course it took. I hoped this practice would be another step on a path that would change the world for the better, one person at a time, beginning with me.

(S) How was the experience for you?

(K) It was all I had hoped for. We seemed to be living in the moment. The TCC was alive and evolving through us. Sr. Antonia was humorous, pleasant, responsive, and instructive. The training unfolded with respect and harmony.

(S) What was something you learned about T’ai Chi Chih?

(K) Teachers and students are on the same path – to deepen their practice. While individuals complemented the whole group and received the benefits of personal experiences shared by others, it is the T’ai Chi Chih that is evolving in the movements with softness and continuity, flowing from the center, yinning and yanging, focusing on the soles of the feet, circularity and polarity. In other words, I learned the principles of T’ai Chi Chih.

(S) What did you learn about yourself from the experience?

(K) I’m confident yet forgetful in these graceful movements. Having received quality instructions from caring and competent teachers has shown me I need more practice.