TCC Continues to Amaze Me

Why do we put our attention in the soles of our feet when doing T’ai Chi Chih (TCC)? Only this morning, after more than four years of practicing, I realized what the soles of the feet mean to me. Until now I’ve had a love-hate relationship with putting my attention there. There are other things clamoring for my attention — thinking about what’s for dinner or judging how I’m moving or floating off into space, totally unaware.

But this morning it came to me: if I put my attention in the soles of my feet, I can’t go toward those distractions. If I’m in the soles — souls — of my feet, there’s no room for anything else. What we’re doing in TCC is training the ego. Where have I been? What was I thinking? I have been in my default habit energies. There’s a choice, the ego or the soles of the feet. It’s so straightforward: Think habitual thoughts, or move to a different realm, one that’s in harmony with my soul. Amazing. TCC continues to amaze me.