VFJ Information Coordinator retires

As my inner life continues to flow, I become more keenly aware of physical and spiritual shifts in my external world. I have chosen to be a full time mother to a beautiful baby girl and my husband Steve and I continue to say we have met our greatest teacher. The challenge to be in the moment has taken on real meaning. I have enjoyed working as a volunteer for The Vital Force as Information/Outreach/General Information Coordinator for the past few years, but as many other things in my life are changing, so too is this. I have decided to retire from this position for a couple of reasons. Ever since Natalie was born, I have wondered if I need to let this position go to spend the extra time with her. In my professional career, I have given up much of my work and my office of nine years.

I have read several articles in T’ai Chi Chih publications that have been disrespectful towards Ed Altman. These articles seem less than spiritual in a community that was founded in nonattachment, the effort of no effort, and letting go of the concept of ego. The second reason for my retirement from the Vital Force staff is centered in my sorrow and disappointment at what I believe has transpired over the last couple years and especially in the last year in certain pockets of the T’ai Chi Chih community. I believe it is our spiritual duty to have and show respect in this community. Ed Altman has shown me ways to deepen my form which has taken me to new levels in my T’ai Chi Chih practice. What Ed has shown me is that when my alignment improves, so does the flow of Chi. For this I am grateful. Ed has demonstrated what impeccability and integrity in T’ai Chi Chih practice mean.

Noel trained me for my Vital Force position with patience and expertise. She was always willing to listen and provide valuable feedback for my questions and concerns. The Vital Force is an excellent publication and I am pleased to have worked with such a dedicated and professional staff.

I am grateful for the love and support Noel and Ed have given me. Their enthusiasm for the T’ai Chi Chih form has been contagious for not only me but for the vast majority of the T’ai Chi Chih community. I believe that Ed and Noel each retiring from their positions are a huge loss for the T’ai Chi Chih community. I trust that although the T’ai Chi Chih community might be shaken up by all the change, the core of the teachers will realize that this is a community founded in the spirit of Chi and must stay that way to grow and prosper.

– Kathy Albers