Mediocrity Isn’t An Option

Have you ever said, “Well … I did my best.” At the time we probably/truly did do our best. But was it really the best that could be done? Probably … at that time. However, it’s in the nature of all things (including ourselves) that the only constant is change. We are always changing. We don’t even take the same breath from moment to moment. This provides a unique opportunity. We can expand or contract our participation in life with each moment. It need not carry a moral judgment (i.e. this is good, this is bad); it’s simply the nature of things.

One of the first clues that change is needed comes from a feeling of discontent. Justin sometimes says, “Take note of what you are doing – your posture, how you are sitting.” At that suggestion, people often immediately straighten up. Justin then says, “I didn’t say to change what you were doing, only to take note of it.” Becoming aware of our lives is an important step. It begins to change many things. Many years later we may hear ourselves say, “I don’t even recognize the person I was.” T’ai Chi Chih is often the impetus of this process.

As we begin Rocking Motion, we notice that it’s not enough to swing our arms unmindfully, just any old way. There is a particular form and a way to move. It’s not the backs of our hands that move first, but our palms. And as we become quiet, we notice that it’s not even the backs of our hands that move first. It’s the mind that’s moving. With increased awareness, we notice that it’s actually the tan t’ien that’s the impetus of the movement. Being mediocre is not an option. Change – expansion or contraction – is what’s important. Because of change we find that we are learning to love and share the Chi.

Editor’s Note: The most important resource for teaching tips is Justin Stone. Watch and listen to him on his instructional DVD. And read about and inspect his movements in the Photo Textbook. Both are available from Good Karma Publishing. His words are also available in the essential booklet, T’ai Chi Chih Teaching Tips, available through the New Mexico T’ai Chi Chih Association for a small fee (www.taichichihassociation.org and 505-299-2095.)