Gateway to Eastern Philosophy & Religion (May 2012 Memorial Issue)

I’m going to break apart some of the mantras and tell you their meaning. Remember, mantras were not invented. The most familiar way of using a mantra is the repetition of the name of God. 

When the mind becomes one pointed (ekagrata is the word in Sanskrit), it goes on to become no pointed. Once it becomes one pointed then no pointed (those of you know who’ve done deep meditation), the world disappears. 

Shinran was a very great spiritual man. Shinran said, “Unhindered space, like the light cloud, free from all impediments, none is there unblessed by the light. Take refuge in the Inconceivable One.” Of course, that could be Christianity, couldn’t it?

Justin entered my life 28 years ago when I was introduced to T’ai Chi Chih. Little did I know what far-reaching influence he would have on my life. I first met him in 1984, in person at my accreditation in Santa Barbara, CA. He was very hard on me because I didn’t move well, and I was greatly surprised that he accredited me. Later he told me that when he first saw me move, he didn’t have much hope for me. But when I gave my presentation, he saw that I had an understanding of the spiritual nature of TCC, and that with time, how I moved would catch up with my understanding, and I would be a good teacher. Over the years, Justin has been a friend, teacher and mentor. Through knowing him, and the practices of TCC and Seijaku, every area of my life has benefited. I have thought of him as a Renaissance man.

The day Justin died, I reread the many letters he had sent me over the years. What came across very strongly was his personal support and encouragement (especially when my former husband wanted me to stop teaching TCC and get a “real job”), his unwavering confidence in TCC and Seijaku to benefit those who practice them, and his great love for us as teachers.

In memoriam I say to Justin just as I did while he was alive: Thank you for your gift of TCC to the world. Thank you for your gift of Seijaku, especially for TCC teachers. Thank you for your Love. Thank you for your Life.

– Pam Towne, Oceanside, CA

I remember at the Xavier Center in New Jersey, Justin asked the entire room to stop moving. Teachers that had been around awhile were talking about how they didn’t want Justin to give them a movement correction, but at the same time that they welcomed it. So what happened? He gave us all a correction on Daughter in the Valley. I tell my students this story, and let them know that when I correct them on that movement, that Justin is still giving the correction…

I remember being in Albuquerque at a teacher practice. Afterwards Justin said that I did not have enough tension in Joyous Breath, although I had been doing it like someone had shown me. I love that I got a correction from Justin. He was so gentle about it too.

Bringing Justin huge birthday cards was great fun. It would take weeks of carrying it from class to class and to collect signatures. Then Justin would write a thank you note back to the students. Getting people who would never meet Justin involved through birthday wishes connected them to him. Will miss him, but for many reasons we will not forget him. His ascension on my birthday was another gift from Justin. I am in awe about that.

–Donna McElhose, Wildwood, IL