Experiencing TCC Serenity at the Sea through TCC Principles

Editor’s Note: As Judy credits and acknowledges, “T’ai Chi by the Sea is an introduction to the principles of T’ai Chi Chih®, a meditation in motion practice originated by Justin Stone.”

“T’ai Chi at the Sea,” the name of the T’ai Chi Chih (TCC)-inspired class I offer to veterans living with PTSD, was born of necessity as a therapeutic modality within a national program that contractually prohibits instruction-based teaching. For veterans living with PTSD, a simple instruction such as “left/right” can be interpreted as an order, launching a PTSD episode. Guidance is restricted to imagery and music, too, creating a much-needed, non-thinking experience.

I live with PTSD and credit TCC/Pulling in the Energy for gifting me with a solid sense of internal safety. Nothing in my life had ever provided this peace. The invitation from the Chi to adapt and share the gifts I’ve experienced in TCC was an offer my soul and tan t’ien could not silence or refuse. The Chi’s urge to dare overrode my fear. Prayerfully immersed in TCC teachings and practice, I crawled onto a limb to offer something outside the box.

Why T’ai Chi and not T’ai Chi Chih? Economy of words. “Chih” is offered to those who seek to go deeper into a beginner series. It appears that most people who come to me through this program want to feel better rather than dive deep. Gratefully, I’ve learned that Chi meets us in miraculous ways right where we are.

“T’ai Chi at the Sea” is an effective pathway for offering a meditative, centering, grounded experience, based on TCC principles. Science indicates that present moment mindfulness halts the relentless inner critic in its tracks. “At the Sea” there is nothing to learn and nothing to get right. The invitation is simply to be present and feel.

The Energy Sea within the Nei Kung practice Justin Stone taught us through his book Meditation for Healing inspired the sea theme.

Wading waist-deep into the calm sea and allowing feet to sink into the wet sea bottom as the earth rises into the arches of the feet, establishes softness, grounding, and connection to the tan t’ien. Grounding is re-emphasized by hugging in the sea air, then submerging palms just beneath the surface of the sea.

Feeling the swell of an oncoming wave from behind encourages knees and body to relax into the natural rhythm and circularity of calm gentle waves in preparation for Rocking Motion. Releasing the torso and arms to be lifted by the sea promotes the effort of no effort.

Stepping forward to meet a wave with the belly (pulling back as the wave returns to its source) encourages moving from the tan t’ien with an upright torso for yinning and yanging. Feeling waves splash delightfully across the belly invites relaxation while luxuriating in the natural ebb and flow of a calm sea, while aligning breath with Cosmic Rhythm.

Polarity becomes palpable as hands push and scoop through waves or capture surf foam.

Everyone loves Passing Clouds, feeling the water with the bottom hand and sunlight on the top hand. Suggesting the belly button as a lighthouse light sweeping over the sea is another opportunity for the novice to experience moving from the center or TCC doing TCC.

After activating and circulating the Chi (in the sea), we bring ourselves to shore and create a V-shaped footprint in the wet sand for Cosmic Consciousness Pose. Participants bring awareness into the feet/footprints, following breath (like a candle flame) up the body on the inhale and down the body on the exhale, three times for focused grounding. Silent sitting for about one minute permits processing what one feels.

Six Healing Sounds are never a part of T’ai Chi at the Sea mini sessions. To me, the specificity of left/right emphasis with accompanying sounds demands traditional teaching which 20-minute, mini-sessions don’t support.

Since the inception of T’ai Chi at the Sea in April 2019, every participant has been awed by the calm, relaxed state of serenity they experience post-practice, especially veterans who live with internal chaos and appreciate TCC the most. Witnessing how the Chi touches lives when we dare to get ourselves out of the way brings utter amazement, blessings, and humility.