Flowing from the Center

Opening and closing remarks by Sr. Antonia Cooper, OSF, T’ai Chi Chih Guide

Gratitude

I’d like to open with words of gratitude to Justin Stone, and for this 30th year that T’ai Chi Chih has been in existence. This is also the 20th year anniversary of the Vital Force Journal, which you will read about in the most recent copy you received when you arrived.

Gratitude to the St. Louis Teachers, especially to the committee for their hours of planning that have given way to this marvelous gathering – our invitation to “Flow from the Center.”

Gratitude to each of you, TCC Teachers from around the world, for your dedicated practice and teaching, and for your openness to be here and to enter into that flow.

Invitation

I’d like to invite you to sit quietly for a moment in order to get in touch with your “Heart’s Desire” for this time of Conference. What do you desire most for these days together? For the future of TCC? For your practice? For your students?

My heart’s desire for each of you is to BE here with a “beginners mind” as an “Empty Cup,” to make the most of our time together in learning, in discovering, in experiencing an Ah-ha! moment.

Isn’t CHI amazing? We just never know where Chi might take us. During the 2000 Conference in New Jersey I was asked to share some insights on how I “opened the Northeast” to TCC… But I had no such insights. I simply taught classes and students simply wanted to know how they might become teachers – and Chi made it happen.

I also shared at that time that I entered my particular religious community because I didn’t want to teach – I got really nervous in front of large gatherings! Now, four years later, I stand before you as “Guide” – Chi continues to take me to uncharted and very unexpected places.

Flowing from the Center

How might we best Flow from the Center in the T’ai Chi Chih form, according to the way that Justin Stone teaches it?

FLOWING includes our

• mental focus on the T’an T’ien and/or the soles of the feet, the Bubbling Spring.

• proper yinning and yanging, which means a full weight shift, and

• moving/flowing with softness and continuity.

Flowing from the Center is Unifying when all the parts are moving as one, the TCC form becomes unified. As Justin said on this year’s video: It is not “what” you move, but “how” you move.

T’ai Chi Chih practice Unifies – it draws spiritual persons to itself because it is a spiritual practice, often referred to as a moving meditation. This unifying element drew us to become teachers and drew each of us together for this particular conference, at this particular time, and in this particular space. Justin often says that TCC teachers are very nice people! Just look around – I think he is right!

When flowing from the Center, CHI becomes the matrix for change. Do you remember how you were before you began to practice TCC? Recall all the changes that have taken place within you over the years you have been practicing.

Circulating and balancing CHI gives way to wellness and wholeness. Entering into the Cosmic Rhythm changes us and our world, whether that world view is our household and area of the country where we live, or if it has extended beyond those boundaries to the global community. Justin recounts stories from individuals who have attended teacher accreditation saying it was one of the most transforming weeks of their lives. He has received countless letters of how TCC practice has changed lives physically, mentally and spiritually.

One of the outstanding gifts that TCC practice has given us is inner integrity and sincerity, which Justin refers to as T E H. Both of these gifts or values are counter-cultural. They bring an inner peace and calm that is beyond words and beyond other experiences.

As Guide of TCC, I am sincerely asking each of you to be attentive or “awake” during these days together: notice how you are moving and deepen your awareness of how you are flowing from the center… or not flowing from the center. Our Conference will offer many opportunities for refinement in over seven hours of moving together!

Teach your students well. Teach them to refer to this specific form of movement as T’AI CHI CHIH and don’t be satisfied by merely saying T’ai Chi. I invite each of you to whisper CHIH when it is not added. Here is a little story to make that very point. Several years ago I was home on vacation and told my Dad that I was going out to do my T’ai Chi Chih practice. I was aware that the phone rang during the practice time. Upon my return Dad proudly reported that he told the caller that I was outside doing my Ho Chi Minh! ……So much for “getting it right.” He did remember the Chi part!

We will honor Justin Stone every time we include “Chih.” It is important that we recognize Justin as the Originator of TCC as we make a point to include this in our teaching.

Give your students an example of your integrity and sincerity – in the way you move – in the way you teach – and in the way you live your life!

Envisioning the Future

As the Conference comes to a gentle conclusion, and we return to our families, homes and places of work, it is important to set our focus in the future. In considering the future of T’ai Chi Chih, it is my hope that Teachers will continue to develop a deeper understanding of the TCC form in their daily personal practice so that they will be able to impart the principles within the movements to their students.

When teachers are teaching How to move, students will experience greater circulation and balance of Chi which will then lead to countless benefits of mind, body and spirit. Teachers will also be more confident in assisting students who are preparing for Teacher Accreditation.

I am grateful to our Teacher Trainers Sandy McAlister and Pam Towne who continue to be available to offer Intensives for students and their teachers, as well as for teachers only, especially in those communities that are not currently sponsoring teacher candidates for accreditation. An Intensive is the only format in which students and/or teachers have an opportunity to refine their TCC form through individual attention and help.

You are also encouraged to deepen your awareness of TCC through learning the practice of Seijaku. I attended Seijaku Accreditation in 1994, and auditing a few years later, found Seijaku giving me an abundance of energy. Since a practice was offered here at the Conference, it helped to renew those who knew it, and piqued the interest of those who did not. Please consider sponsoring a Seijaku Training or Retreat in your local community.

Please contact me with any requests for Trainings or Intensives so that Pam, Sandy and I can coordinate calendars.

The T’ai Chi Chih form will reach the public’s attention very soon through the medical profession and insurance companies, and when it does, it will be the dedicated teachers who will be representing it. It is my hope that you continue what was begun here at the Conference, and deepen it through your inner sincerity (T e h) and integrity. I am grateful to each of you for your fine efforts in spreading TCC throughout the world.

– Peace and all good,
Sr. Antonia