Viewpoints: TCC Family Matters

Our theme at the 1991 Conference for T’ai Chi Chih International was “On the Family,” and we experienced mass miscommunication while we were organizing this function. In fact, the miscommunication continued to our transport committee missing the flight Justin was on!

One specific issue that came to the surface is our T’ai Chi Chih family communication–a matter that truly needs inspection. I find with communication, one often hears from their own perceptions: not from the intention nor experiences from which the statements are offered. And so on.

What are the entering conditions for becoming a member of the family? Entering conditions are not understood often. Individuals entering certification often do not hear with the deeper meanings that Justin has aspired. For example, few people in our culture this day understand how to live integrity! TCC teaches this.

How does one continue to have respect for your “parents, grandparents, great grandparents”? (This TCC family has been developing since 1974, and Justin speaks to us as the great-great grandfather founder!) How do we stay connected once we “leave the nest”? (i.e., our beginning classes, practice sessions with the minimal 1-2 year preparation toward taking the step of certification).

Often times, the results of unclear entering conditions and guidelines leave individuals floundering and confused. There is a sense of once being out there as a certified instructor: “What do I do next?” Then some have evidenced the idea that they are here to “outshine their teacher” instead of “honoring their teacher and working together with the chi.” Thus, the subtle competition, that our current culturals’ demise evidences, begins to express in our own midst. I know this is congruent with our current lifestyle of mixed messages, yet it also causes deep despair within relationships.

What to do about this?

I have been pondering these issues since 1985 when I became certified. After the conference in the Midwest last July, I knew it was time to articulate these thoughts. There will be time and space offered to discuss these concerns at the 1992 conference in July. Please join me in session for contemplation in these family matters.

Questions to Consider/Contemplate Prior to the 1992 Conference

posed by Chris McLain

1. How do you as an instructor transmit the integrity of the chi to your students? How do we instructors offer the students input on the differences that this form offers from the aerobic quick shot that has been the only basis most individuals have experienced?

2. How do you deal with the healing crises as they manifest in your students? What have you identified or found these crises to manifest as? In addition, do you have any statements or students who would like to have their experiences aired for a promotional tape? When Justin first originated this form with teaching in 1974 (Justin Speaks on T’ai Chi Chih), he had no idea of the ramifications and healing potentiality that was being unleashed. (RE: Story of Catholic priest whose sense of smell was restored after one session.)

3. The mysterious and miraculous healing experience that individuals have attested (see Vital Force testimonials since 1984 and the personal testimonials that each of us as instructors has heard) have yet to be bound up in research study/volumes to aid credence in our statistically proven mental prowess nation. How do you embrace these students’ astounding expressions and the confusion that often follows. How do you offer them support or Validation for

• EMOTIONAL CRISIS:
• PHYSICAL CRISIS:
• SPIRITUAL CRISIS:
• RELATIONSHIP MANIFESTATION:

Bring your thoughts and resources to Vallombrosa!