The Relationship Between T’ai Chi Chih and Zen

Lecture by Justin Stone, April 9, 1991

Justin’s lecture was a wonderful experience. We had booked a room at the Hilton Hotel that would hold 100 people if everyone stood up and no one wiggled, but it became clear that we had better open ourselves to a bigger world of possibilities as we had sold over 70 prepaid tickets before the event. We redid our booking and got a room that would hold 150. It was wonderful to see over 120 people enjoy an evening with Justin.

Justin has such a profound love of life that can be felt, and expresses himself in such a genuine way that I saw people sitting on the edge of their chairs eagerly waiting to hear what he would say next. He gave everyone a break after an hour and no one left. In fact, after the question and answer time, (and there were many questions still left for another visit), as we were finishing packing up the last of the books, ready to go home, two students were slowly walking out, still in deep discussion over one of the many things Justin had said,–it was beautiful. We are very grateful, Justin, that you share so much with us. The words that Master Hakuyu (Master Hakuin’s teacher) said about himself seem to apply to you, “I am just an ordinary man living out the rest of life in the mountains.” It is only the truly ordinary man who can do extraordinary things, as you do.

Thank you, Love,

– Carmen Brocklehurst