Remembering Justin (February 2021)

I remember going to Justin house for meditation and Teisho on Saturday evenings. Entering his house was like entering another world – one with profound clarity and groundedness. I could feel it as I approached his front door and I always took a couple minutes to collect myself and become quiet before I entered. Justin would sometimes personally answer the door. He always greeted me and others in a respectful, formal manner with the etiquette of a host.

Some people would go to his back room and do T’ai Chi Chih before meditation. Others would sit with Justin in his living room and engage in conversation, catching up on the latest goings-on. Justin usually sat quietly and would talk if somebody asked him a sincere question. Justin was never interested in chit chat.

I remember one Saturday evening at his house, sitting around and talking before meditating. Justin asked me “why do we come here every Saturday night?” I was taken by surprise, and my impulsive answer was “to meditate.” I thought to myself: wasn’t that obvious? But this wasn’t a good enough answerI could see it on Justin’s face. He was waiting for something else. Carmen added “and to do T’ai Chi Chih.” So I added that to my answer. This did not satisfy Justin either. Then I added “and to read…” I didn’t know how to include everything we did on Saturday nights in a short answer. Justin finally answered his question for me: “to know Truth.” How clear Justin was! My piecemeal answers were all included in “to know Truth.” Saturday night Teisho was always to know Truth. How beautifully simple and clear.

I am grateful that I could spend time with Justin. Being in his presence made me feel like everything was right in the world.

The Twinkle in Justin’s Eyes
By Judy Hendricks, Albuquerque, New Mexico

When I miss seeing that twinkle in Justin’s eyes, I’m grateful we have his many DVDs. I was recently watching his talk from the 2005 T’ai Chi Chih Teacher Conference held in Albuquerque. He was showing us how to move correctly, so of course he is telling us to bend our knees and turn our waist. He was also telling us to practice every day.

Justin mentioned a teacher who said they practiced TCC twice a week. No, Justin said, one needs to practice every day. I have decided to really commit to daily TCC practice and meditation. Justin had so much intention behind all he did and said. There was always a reason for his actions and words.

He said Seijaku should be an oral tradition. That is why, I believe, there is no Seijaku textbook. We do, though, have his Seijaku DVD where he demonstrates the movements.

Justin was so clear. He told the same stories over and over, using the exact same words each time. I finally realized that when he kept telling me the same story, it was because I hadn’t really gotten the meaning. And we can still hear him; we have his two CDs, where he tells all the stories he told us years ago in Albuquerque. The KNME DVD interviews (between Justin and Carmen Brocklehurst) are also inspiring. I watch them and show them to my students. We have his words and wisdom to share.

I personally continue to learn so much from Justin’s stories. I remember Justin often telling me of a widow and all she planned to do on her own during retirement. I listened but had no idea why he would share this with me. My husband passed away in 2019. He also said there are no coincidences.

Justin shared with us tools to realize who and what we are. His words to me, “Join me in the oneness,” have had tremendous meaning over the years. I hear his voice and ask, “Is my intention to change? Am I doing my practices to know who and what I am?” I’m so grateful to him and Carmen for showing me the path.