New Jersey events evoke LOTS of comments

Seijaku accreditation, October 22-24, 2004

Doing the Seijaku weekend was very special for me. I learned and relearned the principles of TCC all over again, and began to experience the Seijaku holding fast and letting go. I know I will need to practice by myself and also in a group. I am truly grateful.

– Agnes Fleming

* * *

When asked to write about the weekend, I really had no idea as to what to say. Writing is not my cup of tea. But on Monday morning, strange things happened. The question today is, who am I? Over the Seijaku weekend, I really did not get much sleep, but always had plenty of energy to keep going. Sunday night I could not push through the wall any more and at 9:30 p.m., I actually hit the wall and was exhausted. Upon awakening in the morning, I had to ask myself, who is this person? And if this is not me, who is it? The real me gets up in the morning complaining about the mattress and my aching back. I then have to do some back stretching and then try to stand up without falling over. Finally, I get going. This morning, this person woke up and felt the chi flowing. He thought the mattress was great, and his back was feeling great. He jumped out of bed and was on his way. I had to go look in the mirror to see who it was. I’m not sure who is the real me. Well it’s now mid-afternoon and I am still floating. Who knows about tomorrow and it doesn’t really matter; I am seizing the moment now. This weekend was great. A whole new world has opened that I had no idea of. Pam did a great job. With the leaves changing color, she can now tell the California folks how beautiful NJ is! Dan, thanks again for organizing the weekend. I’m sure it had to have a positive impact on everyone’s life.

– Serenity now, Phil

* * *

My experience this past weekend has enhanced my t’ai chi chih practice and given me better insight and understanding of my internal chi and its power. Seijaku has heightened my awareness of my mind and my body and being in the present. It was another enriching experience on my journey with the chi and me. I especially want to thank Pam, Dan and the TCC community for their dedication and support.

– Dorene Krause

* * *

This weekend taught me softness. Softness not only in Seijaku and T’ai Chi Chih but also in my own life. Where and what are the areas that I resist and push hard, never let go, and experience softness in all conditions. Seijaku not only raises one’s energy; it teaches one about life.

– Judy Mirczak
upstate NY

* * *

Time
to slow
to let go
sink deep inside
never to hide
let go
grow

– Judy Mirczak, teacher

* * *

Hope
Springs forth
continuous
Love grows within
flowing free
joyous
me!

– Judy Mirczak, teacher

* * *

Sink
inhale
Seijaku
hold on let go
energy
exhale
ground

– Judy Mirczak, teacher

* * *

My deep gratitude to Justin Stone for making the Seijaku way of “unusual power” available to us, and to Pam Towne for her able instruction and invaluable insights.

A big part of my renewed awareness of Seijaku while hosting this weekend was the importance of letting go, and of sufficiently grounding the chi after moving. In this regard, I received from “across the miles” the following excerpt of poetry from another teacher (May Sarton), which was very appropriate as the autumn leaves drifted down softly around us:

[INSERT QUOTE HERE: May Sarton, five lines beginning “I think of the trees and how simply they let go”]

Thank you, Jean Katus, for sending such appropriate words during a very deep experience and time of renewal for me.

– Dan Pienciak
Seijaku Course Host

* * *

I now have begun to grasp the concept of Seijaku as being an internal experience, the importance of contracting and expanding the TanTien, to completely “let go,” to spend time in grounding between each move, and, that doing the tonings daily will enhance my physical healing path that I am currently traveling. This all took place in a wonderful fall setting in a place made familiar by several trainings that I’ve attended here and by the return of members of the T’ai Chi Chih family who form this caring and supportive community. I’m grateful for Dan’s competent abilities as a course host.

– Nancy Hall
Shrewsbury, NJ

* * *

This is my fourth exposure to Seijaku, and “ah ha!” I finally got it….. “Seijaku is the advanced form of !! of T’ai Chi Chih”

– Lucia Veteran
Lake Winola, PA

* * *

Joy
Grounding
Tensionless
Moving Softly
Resisting
Softly
Flow

– Pat Flynn
PA

* * *

Seijaku training has led me to a more felt sense of my T’ai Chi Chih movements in themselves while also helping me be more grounded in the soles of my feet, and focused on my center. The softening/contracting/softening rhythm of Seijaku is taking me a little deeper inward, and continues to renew that invitation to go further inside that “inner landscape” the Justin speaks of for greater fullness of Chi; for greater fullness of LIFE! Thank you, Justin! Thank you, Pam! Thank you, Dan! Thank you, TCC companions. FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T DONE IT – A WONDERFUL GIFT AWAITS!

– Sheila Leonard
Newfoundland, Canada

* * *

My greatest joy was in feeling the release/softness after moving thru the resistance – a true lesson in my life which is so full of resistance – learning to allow the release and softness to return. INVITING IT! My message to other instructors would be to tell them of my path to learning: Don’t try too hard – Let it be – Feel the feeling, and then the movement will come. Thanks to all!

– Sharon Matesi

* * *

Attending Seijaku training made very apparent to me the tension I carry when “efforting.” It is easy to relax now. There is greater insight into relaxing/letting go, while flowing after effort. This is after realizing in 1971 that, “relaxation is the key to success in everything I do.” Very exciting!

– Dennis Landes
TN

* * *

As the power of Seijaku practice is readily appreciable, so its application to all aspects of living in our hectic world was ably and immediately conveyed by our instructor Pam Towne, and our group practice. The obvious value of regular Seijaku practice for informing our TCC movements, and for helping T’ai Chi Chih teachers to better relate to students’ needs, was also apparent from our Seijaku teacher-accreditation course. We have all learned much about the potential through regular practice of Seijaku to deepen our understanding of the principles of TCC practice.

– Bill Moore

* * *

Wowie! Blew my mind and my body away and then back home again. Finally took the leap and took Seijaku accreditation. I thought I knew what to expect, but I got more and different that what I expected. Surges of energy, heat, and getting “in touch” and personal with parts of myself and knowing that more parts needed to be explored. As Pam said, “We are but at the tip of an iceberg.” Although sleep wasn’t sound, or necessarily pleasant, Seijaku wakes you up to the present whether you are ready or not. I look forward to carrying Seijaku presentness with me throughout my day. I now REALLY know Softness! Thank you Pam and Dan for this great experience.

– With love and chi, Siobhan Hutchinson
New Egypt, NJ

* * *

I am reminded that I live a spiritual life and the softness in my life can help those around me experience softness, peace, and joy in their lives. Thanks Dan, Pam and Justin.

– Wendy Howard
Montgomery Ctr, VT

June Intensive

It has been a privilege to share the learning experience of the T’ai Chi Chih Intensive with so many sincere students. Justin reminds us of the importance of the principle represented by the Chinese character “teh,” which he explains as “inner sincerity.” Sandy has certainly demonstrated the “teh” in “In-TEH-nsive,” and those in “at-TEH-ndance have responded in kind.

– Gratefully, Bill Moore, Teacher

* * *

What a joy it has been for me to spend this time with Sandy, Dan and the T’ai Chi Chih community. For me there is a sense of “belonging” here, fulfillment, and peace. My practice and my life have been further enhanced and enriched.

– With gratitude, Dorene Krause

* * *

We
short – tall
side by side
show the balance
in the flow yin-yang
chi!

– Pat Weber Wilcomb, teacher

August Retreat

Joy
has come
into thee
thru T’ai Chi Chih
I can see
in-side
me

– Theresa Pfund, student

* * *

Soft
Gentle
Be Yourself
Continue on
Joyfully
Flowing
Chi

– Jim Campbell, student

* * *

In
My Life
I see We
Extraordinaire
You see me
I see
We

– Chandra Mustafa, student

* * *

Refreshment, renewal and refinement – “the trinity of joy” – I experienced during my weekend in Ringwood, New Jersey. Sr. Antonia and Dan, our guide and leaders, graciously led our classes in T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku, respectively. Able and willing colleagues gifted us with extra practice sessions! Joy, love, and laughter permeated the atmosphere. Sr. Rosemary and her wonderful helper Terry provided delectable, healthy meals, which required no coaxing for us to devour daily. With much gratitude to all and with fervent appreciation.

– Sue N. Reed, PhD, TCC Teacher