Pacific Northwest teachers host TCC workshop with Ed Altman

Course Co-host

TCC teachers Elizabeth Tyler and Jerry Jonnson hosted Ed Altman for a day of movement, discussion, detailed instruction and fellowship on December 4, 1999. A group of 20 teachers and students from the greater Portland, OR area took time out from holiday activities to slow down and refine their TCC practice. The one day intensive allowed participants to enhance their understanding of specific movements, their benefits and the greater significance of our joyous moving meditation.

Some philosophical highlights from Ed’s thorough instructions were:

– Flow softly from your center; always allowing centered awareness to carry the load and determine your external experience. Like Ramana Maharshi says [paraphrased]: “We know that the train carries all loads, so after getting on it why should we carry our small luggage on our head to our discomfort, in-stead of putting it down on the train and feeling at ease.” A good thing to remember for all moments of our lives.

– Be patient and wait for the Chi to express itself, like dropping a pebble in a pond, let the ripple move out effortlessly AND don’t let any other ripple be there other than the one coming from the T’an T’ien.

– Let your silence be so complete that those around you are drawn into the silence also. The philosophy of TCC is discovered from within. Words can never communicate the teaching and can get in the way. Go beyond words to the Source of experience itself.

– As soon as we are ready and willing to “let go” the movements will unfold. Let go of relying on “tension or strength” to make things happen.

– Let every part of the body express substantial to insubstantial.

– TCC posture is like an iceberg with 15% emphasis on top and 85% emphasis on the bottom.

– We are going beyond the busy mind. “When the water is still, the moon appears. When the water is still, the moon disappears.”

Ed’s skilled and generous sharing reminded all of us about how TCC is much more than just a practice, it is a way of BEING in the world and indeed, a great gift to give ourselves and to share with willing souls…