Sinking & Deepening

Pacific Northwest Retreat with Sandy, near Portland, OR; Oct. 12-14, 2007

BY JIM SHORR AND ROBERTA & JOHN TAGGART, CO-HOSTS

The Columbia River Gorge provided a breathtaking backdrop for participants to sink into essence as we deepened our practice. Twenty-two teachers and students were graced with unseasonably warm days and vivid foliage. During breaks practitioners walked the labyrinth and hiked the grounds. And on Saturday evening, the retreat center offered a telescope and local astronomer who offered up a star show.

Retreat setting enhances:

“The essence of my experience was in the natural flow that follows the various weight shifts. The waterfalls at our gorge retreat center served as an enduring reminder of the power and beauty of motion within all of us.” – Steve M.

“To and fro, back and forth, we wove a pastiche of movement, stillness, shift, and continuity. Soaring with the winds of the gorge, I came away enlivened and enriched.” – Barbara L.

Co-host offers opinion:

“We gained new insights into how to move and watched the transition and approach to our practice. It began with sculpting our movements; reducing and expanding provided deeper understanding. We broke down our movements to better understand, and it culminated with ah-ha moments of discovery in our last practice. Sandy modeled minimalism as the road to refinement.” – Jim S.

The coming together of community:

“We worked so intently on the principles of TCC, then we dissolved into them with new circle with circles … circling into center, into essence. A delicious listening. Joy.” – Barbara

“A full shift makes me glide and feel rooted … arms become light and flowing … connecting to that silent space.” – Linda R.

“As a student, it was valuable to watch and learn from enthusiastic, dedicated teachers.” – Jim E.

“This retreat has allowed me to continue on the lifelong journey of learning. I love traveling the road of TCC.” – Joanne B.

No embellishment required:

“Moving meditation satisfies a spiritual hunger awakened by the perception of beauty in that we remain desirous but able to express that desire and establish relationship with beauty … though T’ai Chi Chih.” – Maj-Britt E.

“To be and let be in forgiveness and love.”

Ode To T’ai Chi Chih

WOVEN TOGETHER BY PAULA SHANKS, OXFORD, MS

From Closing Retreat Comments In Columbus, MS; Oct. 5-7, 2007

a lot of people ignore the good

the community of t’ai chi chih is strong

watch where you step out

practice lessons are life lessons

why am I even trying?

it’s just not working

trying to make things work

where you start, it’s all a beginning

we all have our own stories of life

we use a vehicle

this practice is a vehicle

a gateway for some difficult things

partake in whatever way benefits

people who are open

coming from the heart

the support to take us through the door

allow the challenges to strengthen us

pulling away, drawing back our armor

t’ai chi chih is that support

we never thought we could do it

we keep growing, growing, growing

empty with a heart full of light

shows us where t’ai chi chih can take us…