Something to Remember and to Repeat

Even though a student for three years with an excellent teacher, Rev. Joy Carle Barbour, it was with some trepidation I approached the Teacher Accreditation Course. As one of the yearly “Intensives” was taking place on our way at Santa Cruz, we, Joy and John Barbour, had registered to take part in this as an excellent preliminary.

The “Intensive” was in a delightful spot, in the Santa Cruz mountains, aptly named – Happy Valley Conference Center. Majestic redwoods, a bubbling stream and a friendly atmosphere. Teacher Accreditation took place in Alameda, an island in the sea, the magic bridges to San Francisco and Oakland, still standing despite the earthquakes, so many beautiful old homes, the ocean smell, and a feeling of security.

Both the “Intensive” and Teacher Accreditation were of great value to me, physically and spiritually. On the physical level a lesson that there is always energy to do a little more and a spiritual experience of letting go, relaxing into openness and receptivity of “The Chi”……

In the movements of “T’ai Chi,
We felt ourselves to be,
A living part of a living world;
Our hearts and every pore
An open door
Welcoming, healing energy.

Another powerful factor was the harmony felt in the unity of practice and desire of students and teachers. The warmth and support of loving fellowship, the joy of healing experiences shared, brings great new spiritual insights into and an escalating revaluation of this wonderful “way” to wholeness – T’ai Chi Chih.

Such contributions inspired me to promise myself to be present at all these meetings whenever possible, to bring this to the attention of teachers and students unaware of the rich rewards to be gained by participation and a heartfelt “Thank You” to all those present. In conclusion, this poem I share with you as an experience of the “Intensive.”

June 1990 T’ai Chi Chih “Intensive”
Dedicated to Steve Ridley Teacher/Master

Trees embracing,
Reaching high,
To grasp the sky;

Teachers’ – students glowing,
Reaching deep
To seek, to find
The Supreme Ultimate

Musics of stream flowing
Onward to its goal,
The voice of the Master
Gently healing
Healing the soul.

– Rev. John J. Barbour
Bullhead City, OK