Renewal in the Desert April 20-23, 2006

To the desert we came – from all over the country, and with a wide range of T’ai Chi Chih experience – for three days, April 20-23, with Teacher Trainer Pam Towne and Host Robin Spencer.

Traveling by air, automobile, and with a trailer in tow . . . on our own or with family members (three couples, a mother and daughter, sisters-in-law) . . . and with other companions, including four dogs and a ferret . . . we ranged from a few who were completely new to TCC, through intermediate and serious students, to teachers (five in addition to Pam and Robin). Many were attending a retreat for the first time; others were renewing acquaintances from TCC classes, retreats, or accreditation. We came from Arizona (Glendale, Gold Canyon, Mesa, Phoenix, Prescott and Prescott Valley, Tucson) and farther away (Alaska, California, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota).

The Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center, in the community of Carefree north of Phoenix, offered spacious and comfortable accommodations; desert-landscaped grounds with panoramic mountain views (paloverde, ocotillo, and cacti in bloom); a welcoming staff; and healthful, delicious meals.

Thursday afternoon we began with an open practice (giving Pam an idea of “where we were”), and after dinner we gathered to become acquainted and to share our intentions and hopes for the retreat. We also learned the happy news of Pam and Ted’s engagement.

Early risers met for before-breakfast practices at the Center’s outdoor labyrinth – beautifully laid out with tumbled river rocks of all colors and sizes, in the eleven-circuit Chartres pattern – where one morning a wild boar (javelina) wandered by.

Friday and Saturday, morning and afternoon, we worked our way through the movements. As we sought to emulate Pam’s example and follow the principles she emphasized, we were able to advance, whatever our starting point. We sometimes practiced in pairs, as mirrors to each other, or in groups of four. Throughout, Pam and the six other teachers offered individual guidance. Ever more relaxed – elbows, wrists, hands – smoothing out our movements, focusing in the soles of the feet, we flowed from the center – effortlessly – through very heavy air.

Reviewing what we had learned in each previous session, adding new movements, practicing up to the point we had covered – and skipping movements not yet taught, so as not to reinforce bad habits – we would finish with Cosmic Consciousness Pose and then sit quietly, savoring our open and aware state. Pam read to us from Justin’s collected writings, Spiritual Odyssey. We listened to Justin Speaks, from his CD. We sang and danced “Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy” before heading off for a meal.

Friday night after dinner we watched several segments of the Interviews with Justin Stone video from the New Mexico Public television series, which reinforced the principles we were learning and showed Justin’s gentle manner.

Our Saturday evening was devoted to sacred circle dancing. An intrepid majority of us learned from Pam and Ted three lovely Dances of Universal Peace.

After breakfast and photos on Sunday morning, and before our last practice together, we spoke of the retreat and its effects on us since Thursday evening. “Feelings of apprehension” from beginners gave way to “pleasure, satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment” and “greater respect for TCC practice.” Students “learned more precise movements” and identified specific improvements – “I feel as if I’ve started to break through the Taffies,” “Perpetual Motion is my new favorite because it flows.” Especially appreciated were “the feeling of immersion” in TCC and the “acceptance,” “friendliness,” “warmth,” and “openness” of this “great group of people.” And we were motivated – “I will practice more regularly,” “I definitely am going to go on,” “I want to offer this to others.” The retreat was “rewarding and peaceful,” “nourishing,” “an awakening of the spirit.”

Acknowledgments and thanks were offered to Pam and Robin (“everything went so smoothly”), to teachers “who encouraged me to come,” and to the three men “for their yang contributions.” Pam and Robin both noted the improvements made since Thursday “as we moved more and more together.” I believe Pam used the term “light-years.”

We came to understand that this retreat is but one element of so much more that T’ai Chi Chih offers us. A student who had “overcome resistance” to attend said she would tell anyone considering a T’ai Chi Chih retreat: “Go! You will learn so much! A retreat is an ideal way to learn.”