Tentatively Forever

There are really no words to express what Justin Stone means to me. He has changed my life in so many beautiful and meaningful ways since T’ai Chi Chih found me on that lucky day in 1999. A couple of days after Justin’s death, I decided to take a walk in my neighborhood to quietly reflect on Justin, hoping to feel better in the fresh air. I kept passing patches of clover along the way. Thirty minutes later I had a “bouquet” of 43 4-leaf clovers. Now what are the odds of that?

One of Justin’s many gifts to us is Pyramid Poetry. Particularly at those times when I feel something inside that just wants to get out, I will write a Pyramid Poem. It seems so simple but it really helps. Thank you, Justin, for helping us express.

sweet
sixteen
syllables
pyramid style
poetry
Justin’s
gift

– Sheryl Adair

his
selfless
example
lingering on
long after
he is
gone

– Sheryl Adair

Justin had a great influence on so many lives, including mine. The T’ai Chi Chih practice was always what he cared about most. Every time we met he would ask, “Are you doing your practice? Are you teaching?” While in Albuquerque, just before a teacher practice, I asked him to correct anything I was doing wrong. From across the circle, he said, “You are leaning, dear.” Oh boy; I had asked for this. The first thought that came to mind was, “If I am leaning, everybody in this room is leaning.” Nice ego, Caroline. This will take you far. Then I thought, “Well, if you cannot even take this, what in the world are you doing here? You only have thirty more minutes to spend with him. You’d better pay attention.” So I focused on him and only on him; I synchronized my pace to his. And I saw how absolutely effortless he was. His movement was completely natural. It was so easy. And in that moment, moving in unison with him, I received the answer I needed.

– Caroline Guillot, Lake Charles, LA

Remarkable man. Amazing gift. And how wonderful to be part of it. I am eternally grateful to Justin for this rich reservoir of peace and serenity in my life.

– Elizabeth Ebrahimzadeh, Sacramento, CA

To KG and those who were with Justin to the end, I wish to express my deep gratitude for the work of this great human being, Justin Stone, who, having mastered the ancient practice of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, developed the unique practice of T’ai Chi Chih for us. The practice has done so much for me as I do my meditative movement each morning. Right now I also do it with some elderly Sisters who suffer from many illnesses. We find it so physically and spiritually helpful. They have assurances from their doctors that this practice is so good for them. May Justin reap his eternal life with the joys he so faithfully shared with the TCC community in many parts of the world.

– Sr Agnes Fleming, Tarrytown, NY