Magic Moments

I’d like to share an experience I had while watching the tides during my T’ai Chi Chih practice. I looked at the ocean and suddenly saw the flow of Chi in the crest and trough of each wave. The crests of the waves were illuminated by the rays of sunshine, while the water that submerged to the great depths of the sea grew darker. I drew this in my sketchbook; only to discover that the Tao symbol had unfolded. As I drew the Tao symbol in this wave form I began to see the crest and trough of each wave in terms of how much light was being reflected and how much absorbed into darkness.

This seemed to correspond to the fluctuation of lightness and darkness in each day. I have heard T’ai Chi masters speak of the varying, yet circular continuous flow of Chi; this is just as in the perpetual generation of ocean waves.

Then I realized that this wondrous unfolded Tao, which I had just drawn was potentially a figure-eight which encompasses our Earth as the arms of a Great Mother. This Great Mother could only be the nurturing Supreme Ultimate–the Tao or T’ai Chi–of all creation. Our Earth is nestled between the Sun (Great Yang) and Moon (Great Yin) which give rise to all the opposing forces and determine the flow of the Vital Force or Chi Energy. The diurnal fluctuations of the Chi can be understood in relation to the stages of equilibrium between peaks of Yin and Yang.

The magic moments of each day occur during these stages of balance when light and dark are in perfect juxtaposition–when shadows are most distinct and colors most vibrant. This is not to say that each moment of the day is not special, but rather that in certain moments our planet situates itself in such a way that it seems to beckon our attention! These are the moments to divert our selves from the daily work and surrender wholly to the marvelous rhythms of our Universe.

As it is in the tides,
It is in the day,
In the seasons,
The Universe,

And so it is,
in our bodies.