Joy & Gratitude

In “Untitled Thought” in Spiritual Odyssey, Justin said, “A day of profound gratitude. When we are grateful we are joyous. Gratitude does not mean rejoicing because some desire has been satisfied.” For me gratitude is a state of being, an awakening. This first T’ai Chi Chih conference was a time of immense joy, gratitude and awakening. To have it occur almost in my backyard – and to have it hosted by the Minnesota and Twin Cities community (my new TCC family) – brought great joy. And for it to occur in Collegeville, a symbolic place from my past, gave it a deeper meaning. And to see friends I met at my accreditation in May, 2013, as well as new teachers like myself, made it feel like a reunion.

To experience being a part of the larger TCC international community, and to meet people whom I had met through their writings and teaching, was a confirmation of this spiritual practice that we all share. And to share my wonderful teachers, Judy and Ron, with all of the conference attendees brought me great joy and pride. Each day when I practice and teach I now see all of you. I feel your presence through our shared Chi. I feel profound joy and gratitude in being a member of the TCC teacher community.