To Remain Unchanging Is To Die

Discoveries and inventions occur when people try something new or put concepts together in a slightly different way. Usually they make our life more pleasant or more interesting. Sometimes they can turn our world upside down. Can you think of a personal discovery about yourself that may have changed your life or moved it in a new direction?

In the introduction in the T’ai Chi Chih Photo Text by Justin Stone, he writes about the evolution of the TCC form. In the beginning, as the movements he developed were taught, it became apparent that some changes would be beneficial. Some movements were dropped, others added and the order changed. He is referring to these changes when he writes, “These new developments had evolved from actual teaching experiences, and it is necessary that TCC, like all growing forms, evolve and not remain stagnant. To remain unchanging is to die.”

One constant since 1985 has been an annual teacher’s conference, with the exception of 1987. Justin felt it was important for TCC teachers to come together each year to refresh their form, to support each other and share teaching skills, and renew their commitment as teachers.

The conference this year was a wonderful experience. What was amazing was of the 76 attendees 51 had some role in supporting, assisting or presenting at conference. A couple of teachers who have been teachers less than a year had a part on the program. One fourth of the teachers attending were men. This conference percentage is slowly growing. But 76 teachers is a very small portion of our teaching community.

Some often used phrases include “going with the flow,” “flowing from the center” and “flow as if moving through heavy air.” Fixed and rigid is not flowing. So maybe it is time to take our concept of a conference and look at it in a different way. At this year’s conference I proposed exploring the idea of having the annual teacher conference every other year and have a community conference the years in between.

What is a Community Conference? It is what you, the TCC community, shape it to be. My initial thought is that community conferences would be for students as well as teachers. To explore this idea a short survey has been prepared (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T6Q3VXT).

This survey was initially offered in my October newsletter. Within four days, 44 teachers and 13 students responded. Even though there is always an evaluation opportunity at every conference, this survey has produced some helpful suggestions not voiced before.

Already questions are being asked: “Will students be fully integrated?” “Will it be more like a retreat?” “How will this change the usual content of conference?” Your answers and comments to the survey will provide the answers to these and other questions.

One question I would like to address now is: “Will students attending the conference be encouraged to become teachers?” No. This will not be a venue to recruit new teachers. It will offer students an opportunity to participate and explore TCC alongside long-time practitioners. It is possible that through that process an interest in becoming a teacher may arise but there will be no focus to encourage students to become teachers.

The question, why do you attend conference, had two comments that, to me, epitomize the value of conference:

“To contribute to and breathe in energy from the greater TCC community. As a newer teacher, also experiencing the longtime connections, stories and inspirations from those who have been practicing and teaching for many years and who knew Justin.”

“I enjoy growing as an individual through my practice and enjoy being around individuals who share that. Serious students would fit well.”

“Soft, open, receptive” are words we use often in teaching. These words are conducive to flow and movement. To remain unchanging is stagnant and contractive. When to change, what to change, how to change? I feel this is the time to explore those questions regarding the annual teacher conference. I am asking for your help to shape this new direction should you choose it.

Foremost this survey is to find out if teachers are interested in having the annual teacher conference every other year and are they willing to participate in a community conference the years in between. I encourage you to help me in that endeavor by answering the survey. Be part of the community by helping shape it. The survey will run until the end of January. The results of your input will be addressed in the May 2016 VFJ.