Meditation or Medication? Yes!

An intermittent T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) practice will probably give a modicum of both meditational and medicative benefits. The test of what you receive is a daily practice. I was an intermittent teacher and student until three and a half years ago when I was asked if I would teach TCC in my neighborhood. I said yes and to everyone’s surprise, I said “Seven days a week.” This commitment to a group finally had me doing a regular practice. 

Meditation: I had a major sudden change in my consciousness at the end of two months of daily practice, breaking a habit of 30 years overnight. Subsequent changes continue to build on that breakthrough. Of course, I recognize everything is relative. I probably needed that major change more than some. A daily meditative practice of TCC continues exponentially to improve my inner calm and centeredness. And oh yes, I have much further to go.

Medication: Two years ago, I had a total knee replacement after having been diagnosed with severe Stage 4 deterioration several years before. (I was told there is no Stage 5.) The “motion is lotion” movements of TCC allowed me to postpone my surgery. After the surgery, my physical therapist could not believe how quickly I recovered, primarily due to the strength in my legs (from TCC). I never used a walker or cane. I even ran a short distance five hours after the surgery. (That’s another story.) I have always tried to be aware of the benefits to my body I feel while practicing. I realize every nuance Justin offered has a physical purpose in addition to the balancing of the Chi.

I am grateful to my late teacher Joanna Foltz who introduced me to TCC 28 years ago; to KG for all of the materials she keeps available; to Barb Thurber and Bella Box for their daily Zoom practice available to everyone; to Justin Stone for the gift of TCC; and to God for putting all of these people in my path.