More attendees respond: Conference 2001 Responses

T’ai Chi Chih Conference: A Reflection

The TCC Conference was excellent. What struck me was the congruity between Justin’s talk and Ed’s practice. Ed emphasized alignment of our physical being during our daily practice. Justin spoke of alignment of our life choices with our life purpose, purification. We are here to purify habit energies, often the result of our conditioning. Many of these have become tendencies that seem to control our lives. How do we purify them? Purification can come about by allowing our vital force, CHI, to flow, to balance and thus to cleanse. That’s where the alignment during daily practice comes in. We must, with soft alignment, get all tension out of the way so that the CHI can flow, balance and do its work of cleansing us of undesirable habit energies. It was wonderful to be with friends who are staying with the practice and growing in so many ways. Thanks to all who planned and who participated in Conference 2001.

– Sr. Alice Holden
San Antonio, TX

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Thank you! Thank you ALL for a most wonderful experience. This was my first TCC Conference and I enjoyed it all. From being asked to speak in front of more people than I’d ever spoken in front of before for our group’s teaching topic, to the candle rededication ceremony that was so moving. I felt the movement sessions where we broke into groups to help each other with alignment were fantastic. It was so helpful to have other teachers observe and offer suggestions. This is really important feedback and I thought a great technique. I especially enjoyed Ed’s talk about how the miracle unfolded to bring him & Noel to Albuquerque — and then being presented with the perfect means of support. Inspiring! Our Saturday afternoon TCC practice when the local students joined us was great. This was the largest group I’d ever practiced with and it felt good! Even though by then I was really feeling tired from our long days. That evening when we had story time I was energized again. I enjoyed each speaker and I was moved to tears both with laughter & beauty. The food & facility were wonderful as well — And again I want to thank you, thank you all for sharing this experience with me.

– Laurie Thomas
Marblemount, WA
(First-time Attendee)

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This year’s TCC Conference was an amazing experience for me! I am a newly accredited instructor who was fortunate enough to have Gale Portman as my friend, mentor, and instructor. She has been my inspiration. I am a person with a strong drive and commitment, and this conference was invaluable! Ed Altman’s ability to share his knowledge and principles of TCC encourages me to look within for the answers. At times it feels as though I am just one drop of water in the vast ocean of knowledge of TCC.

The people who put on the conference did an incredible job and St. Mary’s campus is a beautiful and peaceful setting. Among the storytelling, Tibetan bowl demonstration, rededication ceremony, community openness and love, was the humbling presence of Justin Stone. Justin has the ability to express himself with such depth that my words cannot give him justice. Justin’s presence was also comforting, and his sharp eyes were there to guide you and your awareness of the chi. His discusssion regarding the deeper meaning of TCC was exceptionally invaluable to me. Finally, for all of you who were at the Conference, thank you for touching my heart and welcoming me with open arms!

– Catherine Millman
Chesterfield, MO
(First-time Attendee)

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The group feels together as a cohesive whole. There seemed to be more mingling between new teachers and the more veteran teachers. I wanted to take everyone home with me.

– Kathy Albers
St. Louis, MO

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Hearing and reading about the TCC Teachers’ Conference is one thing, being there is another. Meeting Justin and refining my practice is why I came. My personal highlights, however, were the TCC practices in the morning. It was a new experience not only to see, but to hear the movements being done [due to the sheer number of people].

I felt quite restricted during the practice with local students and appreciated the fact that we had much more space during the regular sessions. For the first time I felt really disturbed by the awkward movements of a student in front of me and suddenly understood Ed’s comments of “splashes” much better. I also got a taste of a certain level of suffering during practice. Don’t misunderstand me: I think this was very worthwhile for students and teachers, just a different sort of experience.

The organizing committee did an awesome job. Everything seemed to flow softly and effortlessly. My greatest compliments to Sandy McAlister and the Bay Area teachers.

– Martina Kurzer
Sitka, AK
(First-time Attendee)

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I really enjoyed this, my first conference. Now, when I look in The Vital Force, I will know many of the faces that I see. It was also very special to meet Justin in person.

Thanks to all those who worked hard to make this happen. Hope to see you next year.

– J. Lynn Shaw-Ringham
Victoria, BC
CANADA
(First-time Attendee)

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Seven years ago I moved to a different state about six hours from where I’d lived most of my life. Six hours from friends I had known and loved. I spent several of these past several years looking for friends and wondering why creating friendships was so difficult at this time in my life.

I guess it was a journey through the Desert of Friendship because after these past few days I know I have developed some friendships through T’ai Chi Chih that are lifelong friendships. In this Oasis of Love I have felt at the Conference I also know I have shared this love many lifetimes before and through T’ai Chi Chih I can reach even more floundering spirits just waiting to be rescued.

– Roseann Heinrich
York, PA
(First-time Attendee)

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I found the conference to be such an uplifting experience. I especially enjoyed the feeling of being with family. I got so many teaching tips and ideas for working with my students on their movements. I can’t wait to get back home and start using them in my classes. Best of all, I think my practice is entering a much deeper level. It started with Ed’s work with us on the movements and I am looking forward to internalizing this once I get home. I feel that once I achieve this, I will be 200% better than when I arrived at the conference. Thanks everyone for everything, especially the love & support!

– Linden Royce
Oxnard, CA
(First-time Attendee)

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Almost all of the Teachers’ Conferences that I’ve attended since 1985 have been excellent; however, this year’s seemed to flow without “wrinkles.” If there were difficulties, they didn’t interfere with the overall functioning. The planners did an outstanding job of organizing everything down to the smallest details. A special touch was the beautiful flower arrangements, (Thanks Barbara Riley!) also the decorations — Hubbel pictures. Everything contributed — the practices, the discussion groups, etc. As usual, there wasn’t quite enough time for everything. Arrangements are planned to get some of this in writing via Vital Force — good thinking.

Superb! Of course, wonderful people attended.

– Adele Wenig
Oakland, CA

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At the Conference, Justin asked us: Do we really want to change? We say we do, so why are we holding onto all that tension in our minds and bodies when we practice TCC? You can have only one Master: Who is yours? To have a body, Justin reminded us, is an opportunity to purify and evolve. Are we conscious of our vashanas? If not, then we will not be able to control them — rather, they will control us — and actively interfere with the chi playing an active role in our life. Ed said that TCC can take us deeper than we want to go. When we reach this critical point, a leap of faith in the wisdom of the conscious Chi is necessary to continue our evolution. Or would we be happier to stay in our jail cell?

– Ann Rutherford
Albuquerque, NM

PROFOUNDLY TRUE — TRULY PROFOUND

Ed’s major presentation “resonated” strongly with many conference participants who identified strongly with his “leap of faith” process. Our lives have shifted in significant ways — relationships, locations, vocations — and these shifts have been supported by our TCC practice and by the TCC community. Ed’s heartfelt sharing helped us put our changes and challenges in perspective, to trust the process and the chi. To me, his words and the state of being they reflect are profoundly true and truly profound.

– Hannah Hedrick
Mountain View, HI

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This year’s annual T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference was the culmination of 15 years of practicing conferences. What a remarkable job Sandy and her fellow teachers did. How about that food, Barbara? WOW! A taste selection for even the most discerning palate. I also feel it was a new height for deeper, more focused, relaxed practices by all the teachers. This could only be achieved by Ed’s guidance over the past five years. His enthusiasm & love for the chi that flows so freely in him is contagious. This was the softest & most gentle conference I have attended. The chi & T’ai Chi Chih are evolving through us all. Much gratitude to Justin, Ed, the Bay Area teachers & to everyone who came & shared themselves.

– Holly Davis
Rancho Mirage, CA