Synchronicity, Harmony, Beauty

These are the titles of a workshop and three retreats I have attended in the past month and it is amazing how they fit together.

For the Harmony and Beauty retreats I led, I chose the titles months ago and months apart without a connection in mind. Topics and themes are determined by thoughts when asked to lead a retreat. The Synchronicity workshop came about in the planning of a local workshop organized by Bay Area teachers. I did not see the connection until months later when all the events happened within the same month.

So how do these three words connect relative to our T’ai Chi Chih practice? Linda Braga has produced an informative and lovely booklet titled: Seven Qualities of Movement. One quality is Synchronicity. She writes, “Synchronicity in movement occurs when all parts of the body are moving as one unit.” This is something we strive for in TCC. “In any TCC movement, synchronicity is present if the body is moving with soft, slow, even movements and no part of the movement stands out.” Think of how many principles of our practice are embodied in Synchronicity. “Synchronicity allows you to experience the feeling of oneness, everything moving together, with no disruptions.”

If we have Synchronicity we have Harmony. Synchronicity is the action; Harmony is the result. Consider listening to a choir. If a singer comes in a little late or off key, not only do you notice it audibly, but likely your body reacts with a slight flinch, even if it is only with a few facial muscles. If you watched Olympics pair’s ice skaters there was a feeling of harmony and smoothness when the two skaters moved in synch. Harmony has the feeling of lightness, no concerns, no tension, smoothness, joy, a blending and acceptance of differences, a feeling of emotional wellbeing.

For the Minnesota teacher retreat, I suggested the theme of “The All-Encompassing Beauty of T’ai Chi Chih.” I picked that title many months ago and as the time drew near to prepare notes, I looked at the title and wondered what I was thinking. It sounded a bit overwhelming: All Encompassing… What was I thinking?

Here are a few quotations from teachers attending the retreat when asked, in what way did they see beauty in TCC practice: “the movements are beautiful … how we are all doing it the same way as we move in a group” … “I can take it with me wherever I go” … “the inner peace it gives me” … “you appreciate what’s around you” … “simplicity – no frills” … “every time it is different and I feel a connection with people” … “healing emotionally” … “dissolves barriers” … “don’t have to do it well to get benefits.”

One of the beauties of the TCC form is its adaptability. Folks with almost any limitations can do the practice: sitting, standing using a chair for support, mentally, leaving out movements that may be challenging, modifying physical movement that cannot be done, supporting the movement with a mental focus (such as some people may not be able to get their hands over the crown of their head to do Light at the Top of the Head, so they may do the movement with the hands lower at a comfortable level but imagine their hands to be over the head).

There is so much beautiful in how TCC benefits us, and those around us. When we are in a good space emotionally and physically we are better able to interact with other people in a helpful and supportive way. We are better able to see the bigger picture of situations and the world around us. Maybe that is the all-encompassing aspect of the practice. When we are clearer in our outlook on life and can stand more centered and grounded in who we are, then we are better able to reach out and connect with others and our environment in a meaningful way. We move outward from the self-centered I to a broader perspective.

The practice keeps reminding us to let go. At the end of every set of repetitions we come into stillness and we have the opportunity to let go of tension, judgment. Thoughts of the previous movement dissolve as we stay in the moment without considering what comes next until it is time to move again. That refreshing stillness is filled with beauty that we each experience in our own way.

When we move with synchronicity we have harmony, and harmony allows uncluttered vision and awareness to blossom with beauty. Through TCC practice, feel the harmony and experience the beauty, each according to our own needs and nature.

Be as the roots

of a living plant…

remain grounded

and sink deeper in

your understanding.

And as the leaves

receive from the sun

and the soil…

be nourished

by the Chi.

Then be as the flowers…

allow self-awareness

and inner beauty

to blossom.

By Dorene Krause, Midland Park, New Jersey