The Miracle of Life, Courtesy of TCC

Justin often spoke of some of the “greats” that he had met. Not bragging, but rather with deep respect for the work that they had done, and the incredible knowing that they shared, both in thought and action. One such person was Paul Reps, author, friend, and Zen Master.

Often at the end of my T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku practices I include Paul’s name in gratitude for the wonderful gift he gave all of us who are practitioners of both. It is because of Paul’s promptings that Justin left the lucrative field of the stock market and actively pursued his spiritual life. When he was ready, he was rewarded by being gifted with the intuitive knowing of our remarkable discipline, TCC. This is why we say that Justin originated TCC rather than created it.

Some people think that Justin took the movements of T’ai Chi Ch’uan and reworked them into TCC. Nothing could be further from the truth. As we well know, T’ai Chi Ch’uan is a martial art and TCC is not. Their purposes in the world are completely different. T’ai Chi Ch’uan is for outer prowess and TCC is for inner unfoldment. Knowing this is just the beginning of an incredible adventure.

There are so many levels that are worked and reworked as we do our TCC practice that it is hard to say what the most important thing is that we learn from doing it. But most of us know that we are changed from the very first lesson. Could it be that we learn to breathe, or to slow down, or to realize that our whole life is about change?

Stated in the simplest way, the miracle of life is happening all the time. Don’t miss any part of it. We do have a bad habit of doing that. We tend to live from our vasanas (habit energies), rather than knowing how important each moment is, as Justin reminded us often. This is our life, and our attention is required. It isn’t just good to pay attention, it is required. The more we remember that and do something about it, the more of our life we get to live. We came to do that, to live our life, but somehow, we forget. TCC reminds us very faithfully about this. Life doesn’t want us to miss anything. As we do pay attention, we learn to love and share the Chi.

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TCC Movements, by Clare Bradley

Rocking Motion

peace

movement

back and forth

rocking motion

feel the joy

movement

peace

Bird Flaps its Wing

a

single

bird flaps wings

and floating starts

with every

lofting

breeze

Around the Platter

I

feel my

hands around

the platter’s rim

to serve up

wondrous

things

Around the Platter Variation

and

the globe

energy

I capture close

circles out

to sail

free

Bass Drum

there

is no

sound from my

bass drum, it rests

to let my

hands float

free

Daughter on the Mountaintop

two

siblings

raised apart

one high on a

mountain top

and one

low

Daughter in the Valley

both

will feel

energy

as they circle

to compete

the twin

moves

Carry the Ball to the Side

in

shifting

side to side

the ball revolves

to follow

the chi’s

path

Push Pull

fore

and back

push and pull

your hands flowing

in rhythm

with the

tide

Pulling in the Energy

the

power

that travels

from the farthest

star lights my

inner

self

Pulling Taffy

sweet

sticky

confection

pulling taffy

with your friends

makes it

smooth

Pulling Taffy, Variation #1, Anchor

feel

your foot

in touch with

solid ground, your

earth hand rests

sky hand

sweeps

Pulling Taffy, Variation #2, Wrist Circles

wrists

twirling

making three

circles as I

pull taffy

back to

rest

Pulling Taffy, Variation #3, Perpetual Motion

step

and sweep

as I find

perpetual

energy

powers

me

Working the Pulley

a

pulley

has great force

for energy

flowing free

within

me

Light at the Top of the Head / Light at the Temple

reach

for light

circle your

energy your

inner chi

temple

high

Joyous Breath

air

within

energize

merge sky and earth

in deep full

joyous

breath

Passing Clouds

mist

glides by

showing life

in changing form

images

formed in

cloud

Six Healing Sounds

hearts

caring

reaching out

sounds of healing

and chi flows

with our

love

Cosmic Consciousness Pose

gain

balance

to restore

the ebb and flow

of chi that

soars free

be