The Big Hermit Comes to Town

Events Feedback–Albuquerque, NM

By Carmen L. Brocklehurst

Recently Justin came to Albuquerque, NM for a visit. This was supposed to be a vacation. Everyone and everything was aglow. Fall in New Mexico is quite spectacular. A beautiful sunshiny day was specially ordered for his arrival. Even a long time friend found herself in town for this special visit. The Shilson’s as always had opened their hearts and home for Justin’s stay.

As a gift to the Albuquerque TCC Teachers, Justin offered to give a free public lecture. Over 200 people came. People were even standing out in the hall and not minding at all. People who were finishing up at other programs would walk by and stop for a minute, then they stayed till the end of the talk. It was all pretty wonderful to watch. So often I marvel at the kind of life I lead today as compared to the way it was before T’ai Chi Chih. (My family and friends tell me I’m easier to live with now.) And each time I marvel there is a great deal of gratitude and joy, not only for my life, but for the part that Justin (T’ai Chi Chih) has played in it.

So when I saw so many people there to be with Justin I was very grateful that they too were accepting the gift of growth from such a special person. As always, after Justin has been here, there is a new surge of energy that opens up. There is always new interest in T’ai Chi Chih and in personal growth. Justin’s thought provoking title “The Spiritual Life” gave many people much to work with. What comes after we know ‘who and what we are’? There is much wisdom in Daughter on the Mountain and Daughter in the Valley. The idea is not that we come to the end when we get to the mountain top but rather that there is more to do. We come back down into the valley, back to the market place, where, as Hakuin says, “when we look at the world it is like looking at the back of our own hand.” What does the back of your hand look like? Is it goodness and light or muck and yuk?

We all had such a good time with Justin– he had a chance to meet two new T’ai Chi Chih babies, Guy Kent’s and Karen Morgan’s; also to enjoy a potluck with the teachers at Dona Bundock’s lovely mountain home. Does this sound like a man who has renounced or embraced life. Whichever you choose, we are very grateful that the hermit has come home.

Love and Share the Chi,

– Carmen L. Brocklehurst
Albuquerque, NM

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“Many who have a ‘vertical’ experience of the Absolute are sure they have achieved the final rung on the ladder and make no attempt to understand or integrate the experience. They may become renunciates and shun all worldly life. If they have a good teacher, he will see the dangers and lead them along the way to complete integration, back to the Marketplace with all humanity and, indeed, all life. Those who have followed a true teacher, or who spontaneously have an experience where they perceive their own enlightenment, are able to make the complete circle and come back to ‘ordinary’ life, which will now appear anything but ordinary. What need for argument when each thing is perceived in itself and seen as being true?”–Justin Stone