Tai Chi Chih ..A Way of Life

Always enamored but never a devotee of Eastern mysticism and meditation, I utilized their insights in my Ministry and Family Therapy practice for decades. Perhaps, I should not have been so terribly surprised when my orthopedist announced there was not much more he could do for my spinal stenosis and noisy aching knees with traditional medicine. But, why don’t you try Tai Chi? An internist enthusiastically repeated his recommendation.

Now, nearly two years later I rarely experience spinal discomfort and my knees feel 20, perhaps 30, years younger.

What began as a quest for pain relief has assumed an important role in my spiritual life. Prayer sometimes seems terribly passive. It’s nice to “do” prayer. Tai Chi Chih has become moving prayer.

I especially enjoy is its counter-culture character. By temperament and training, I am prone to strive to be efficient, quick, and first in line. My culture idolizes a winner with the most records and endorsements.

It is so refreshing, in my ripening years, to cultivate gentleness and softness and reap no reward for being the first to finish 20 moves. It’s teaching me to be more fully present in this moment, not some other time. I cannot tell, and no longer particularly care, how much chi is set in motion by my practice. I do know and experience a growing sense of wonder, and a frequent inclination toward gratitude.