How it Was to Host a T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference

It is hard to say just what dynamics took place in the hosting of this year’s Conference. We are grateful to the University of the Incarnate Word for providing housing, food and ambience. We are grateful to the 116 teachers who came, to the many volunteers who helped. We are grateful to Ed Altman for his direction and to Justin Stone for his inspiring video presentation. We are grateful to ourselves for hanging in there in tough times, allowing the CHI to do its magic!

Magic, we define as our use of spiritual power to bring about positive physical change. There are three kinds of magic: black (we don’t want that, it hurts others); white (we accept that, as it does good to ourselves and others); and CLEAR MAGIC (which is present when we do all that we do for the glory of the CHI, or God).

As a team, we felt this clear magic at work even before the Conference began. There were inconveniences and problems of various sorts. However, due to the CHI flowing through all involved, these were addressed and managed with joy.

The University gave us a special cost price for all services rendered. Though the college dorms were not first class hotel rooms, they were adequate and allowed us to keep costs down and to have money left to pass on to the T’ai Chi Chih community.

The real success of the Conference, we feel, was in the fact that as a Community, we were able to listen to each other speak to the question of change. Each of us has our opinion, which we state elsewhere. What became evident to us is that we are asked to give our opinions. We are urged to be a participative community. This process is not often well modeled in our world. It is too difficult. It will take much trial and error to make it work for the T’ai Chi Chih teachers in 2002 and beyond.

Justin Stone’s video presentation called us to gratitude. To be happy each day, we need only be grateful for what is. Justin was indeed present, an inspiration as always, as he challenged all certified teachers to bring the TCC discipline into the future. His voice continues to inspire.

The panel on building community called us to greater responsibility on the local as well as on the national and international levels. As individual teachers and as regional groups we can foster the growth and continued purity of the T’ai Chi Chih form (see pg. 10).

Discussion about a two-tiered approach to teacher training was passionate and challenging. We are grateful for the opportunity to share. Ed’s closing remarks were powerful. A standing ovation ushered in the closing practice of the T’ai Chi Chih movements.

We, as a team, apologize if anyone felt rushed or inconvenienced in any way. Our aim was to make the Conference as comfortable as possible for all. If any participant was not issued a roster and would like to have one, please and one will be sent to you.