Ten Years Later – Staying the Course

After I was accredited in 2004, a survey came out from my synagogue. The gist of one question got my attention: “Is there anything you can offer Temple Sinai?” Full of a new teacher’s enthusiasm, I swiftly volunteered to share T’ai Chi Chih. No response. After more attempts, I almost let go. Seven years later, I had an opportunity to share TCC at the Temple’s Women’s Mountain Retreat, a perfect setting where it was well received. A small class formed in my home from that, and it is still ongoing. Fast forward to today, ten years later, I completed a six-week series in the chapel at Temple Sinai. Moral of this story: do not give up.

The response was positive; the Chi never disappoints. One woman reported she had hurt her back and was in pain all week. Reluctantly she came to class. That afternoon she realized her pain was gone. “Could it be T’ai Chi Chih?” she asked perplexed. “What else could it be?” I gave her a Justin Stone answer. “What difference does it make as long as you got the results.”

Another, who had been confined to her home for a month with vertigo, came to the first class quite wobbly, so we put a chair nearby. She raised her hand at the third class to report the vertigo was gone; she credited T’ai Chi Chih. Who am I to disagree? Another delayed a trip by a day so she would not have to miss class. You know the drill, so I’ll not go on with more comments of newfound calm and balance.

I started most classes with words the Rabbi shared just prior to our TCC session at the first retreat. And I’ll share some excerpts appropriate to our practice:

“… May we stand still, for a brief moment,

And watch the play of sunlight and shadow on the leaves.

For a brief moment – listen to the world.

We need a quiet space to test the balance of our days.

The weight of our own deeds

Against the heaviness of the world’s demands.

The balance is precarious – steady us with faith:

Quiet places and stillness-

Where we will hear our own best impulses speak.

Quiet places and stillness –

From which we will reach out to each other…”

– Adapted from Priscilla Stern

At the conclusion of today’s class, the Director of Programming (who attended the classes) indicated wanting to hold more classes. Stay tuned for what the Chi has in store when we stay the course with teh (inner sincerity).