Immersing Yourself in the Essence

At the 2007 International T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’Conferencein New Jersey teachers have the opportunity to come together to experience the total immersion of body,

mind and spirit. Justin stresses the importance of attending the conference – for the community of teachers to share and grow while refining their practice and at the same time becoming better teachers.

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We have often heard how important it is to fully immerse oneself in the practice of T’ai Chi Chih –

The effort of no effort

Allow the Chi to do the work.

The interconnectedness of mind and body

No one is doing T’ai Chi Chih; T’ai Chi Chih is doing itself.

All of these explanations seem to make sense to teachers of T’ai Chi Chih, but what does this total immersion FEEL like? And how can we bring this feeling to our students?

When the Chi begins to flow, and the mind and body are fully connected, movement flows from the center without thought. It means letting go of outside distractions and listening only to the inner voice, which speaks quietly and softly.It means focusing within while being guided by and travelling with the energy.

What we tell our students:

Let go of the ego, the mechanics and the intellectualization of each movement.

Allow the body to move as an integrated whole.

Don’t think too much.

The body knows what to do.

Students tell me that T’ai Chi Chih practice has a meditative quality, can indeed be spiritual and almost hypnotic.The gentle, graceful movements enable us to disappear for a time and become part of the cosmic rhythm, either alone or within the energy of a group practicing together.This is immersing oneself in the practice of T’ai Chi Chih.

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Come to the 2007 Conference for a unique experience.Imagine – 4 days of being able to totally immerse yourself in T’ai Chi Chih movements.We know this feeling when we do our personal practice or when we practice within a small group.Magnify that feeling by 100++ teachers and become part of the strong current of flowing Chi.Feel the serenity…the unity…the essence.

The 2007 Conference Committee encourages and invites each of you to attend the conference in August 2007 at the Hilton Woodcliff Lake in New Jersey.Join us as we sink into the essence of T’ai Chi Chih practice to nurture the growth of Serenity in us, our students and our world.

For more information, visit the conference website:www.kean.edu/~tcc2007

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“LISTEN TO THE STILLNESS; THERE IS MUSIC IN THE SILENCE.”

(I scribbled these words on a piece of paper at my very first TCC Conference in St. Louis in 2004.

For me they speak volumes about immersing oneself in the essence of T’ai Chi Chih practice.)

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