The TCC Body: Conference Visions

Following a productive, intriguing and light-hearted exchange of Chi at the end of conference, attendees gathered for a final practice. Shortly after being asked to focus our thoughts of gratitude toward Justin, a vision came to me: Everyone came together in a large circle with a table positioned at the center. On it was a glass bowl which – only moments before – contained the “gratitude” bracelets we’d made days earlier. It occurred to me that the portion of our circle closest to the windows represented yang (or the light side of the mountain) while the other half was yin (or the dark side of the mountain). Beyond the yin-yang symbolism, as I focused on the floor to stay grounded, I realized that our circle of Chi was much like a human cell composed of the following elements:

Cell Membrane (i.e. the circle of teachers): The outer protective layer that controls information in and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm (i.e. the Chi collected inside the circle): A gel-like substance that heightens communication within the cell and nourish its components.

Nucleus (i.e. the bowl gathering more Chi – but also represented at the first practice with an inner circle of recently accredited teachers): The brain and heart (i.e., the life force) of every cell.

Organelles (the carpet patterns and the simultaneous, free-flowing T’ai Chi Chih movements around the circle): Assorted tiny organs with specific duties to feed, repair or clean each cell.

As each wave of thought hit me, tears of joy welled in my eyes; I struggled to maintain composure. Earlier that morning we were asked to envision the future of TCC and how we saw the [non-]organization evolving. I’ve often considered how each of us – whether part of a strong regional presence or a lone voice in a locale – was an individual cell of the larger TCC community or body, each with our own mission. But it wasn’t until that last moment that I grasped a way to communicate that. There’s no doubt I received this vision in great part because of our collective and conscious link to Justin.

Let us continue to work and grow as one. I delight in watching the TCC body expand into its full potential, for we’re only in the early stages with more enriching levels of maturity ahead. As Justin states in Spiritual Odyssey, the yin-yang energies help restore balance in a way that affects every phase of life. “All things seen or unseen are really a conflux of moving energies, a reflection of the Tao. When the yin and yang aspects are out of balance, there is ill health and worldly events are affected in a negative manner. We are dealing with a totality here, each event affecting all other events…. Inner and outer disappear…” (Spiritual Odyssey, p. 58)

Footnote: As fate would allow, the paisley patterns in the carpet at Lied Lodge strongly resembled the gratitude symbol I’ve been exposed to in other holistic endeavors. This same design also appeared on the “Justin Stone Quilt” raffled on Saturday night and now prominently featured at the TCC Association in Albuquerque, NM. For more details about this symbol, please see .