T’ai Chi Chih and Inner Healing

Lately I have been reflecting on the blessings that have come to me personally and to others through my faithful practice, enjoyment and sharing of T’ai Chi Chih. Along with Inner Child work, contemplative therapy and dreamwork, T’ai Chi Chih has been a wonderful help in my inner growth process. In recent years I have become more aware that our bodies remember and hold our past experiences, and that our bodies have wisdom to share with us. TCC has been a tremendous means of allowing energy to flow and of accessing that wisdom.

Sometimes TCC is my moving meditation. At other times TCC is a preparation for meditation, contemplative therapy or prayer. As I enjoy the movements, the energy flows freely, balancing and refreshing me. I breathe deeply. My body relaxes and my mind quiets. I become focused and centered. In silence I open my heart to the Holy One who is my Primary Inner Resource for healing, and to my Inner Child and the other Inner Resources that are gifts of the Holy One to me.

Various means of healing interweave, and I realize that I cannot separate them. But I do know that TCC has been one of the contributions to my healing and well-being. I would like to share some of the ways I have benefited from being connected in body, mind and spirit. T’ai Chi Chih has helped me grow in self-confidence. Speaking before a large group always gets my Inner Child nervous, due in great part to a wounding experience in Grade 5. Now I feel less inhibited and less threatened, yet challenged, when I am presenting something to a large group, or with someone who seems better qualified and more experienced than I am. I often do some TCC right before each presentation to re-focus, regain my inner serenity, and “shore up” confidence in myself and my potential. TCC has helped me become more assertive. In the past I would not stand up for myself. Now when someone misinterprets my words or actions, I speak up and say what I intended and clarify my message. I claim my right to BE and express my opinions and feelings more readily. I also challenge my own inner critic.

I am delightfully surprised I have become more spontaneous in my expressions and interactions with others. I enjoy this greater freedom and comfort with just being myself. I also am trusting myself more – letting my feelings come, acknowledging them, and finding ways to give healthy expression to them. I am better able to go with the flow of life, and trust the ways the Divine Energy is healing me and helping me become my true Self. I find myself being more attentive to children, too. When I meet parents with a little child, I somehow “catch the eye” of the child and experience a wonder-filled connection with this innocence. A real joy!

TCC has truly given me a very wholistic way of integrating experiences with the Divine One who is the Source of the vital force within. I am ever grateful to Justin Stone for giving us this wonderful gift to treasure; to Steve Ridley for certifying me in his gentle, Spirit-filled way; and to all the TCC teachers who inspired me, helped me refine movements, and shared life with me through personal contact or the marvelous VITAL FORCE JOURNAL.

Since my certification in May of 1990, I have consistently taught TCC at the Franciscan Spirituality Center where I work. The “grand opening” to sharing TCC came when I gave several demonstrations in our 1990 June Festival. When 86 persons appeared for the first session, I had to move from indoors to a large outdoor porch. Later the La Crosse Tribune did a front page TCC feature article on me (excerpts follow). TCC sessions continue to be a vital part of our yearly programming. I give persons who come to other programs here a “taste” of TCC. Outreach has included demonstrations to various groups in La Crosse; 1991/1992 workshops in Dubuque, Iowa; sessions with 8 Senior High teachers in Tomah, Wisconsin; and a recent January workshop in Faribault, Minnesota. In June, I will be giving a weekend TCC workshop at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. In July Karen Kappell, FSPA, and I will give a five-day TCC/Mandala retreat entitled “Circles of Wholeness” right here at our Franciscan Spirituality Center.

Thanks to all of you who have shared your TCC experiences, and to Liz and Lois for your excellent work in publishing and editing THE VITAL FORCE Journal.

United with all of you in the circle of TCC Joy, Light, Peace and Love.