Violence

Violence seems to play a big role in our world, and this is due to the fact that many people desire to wield power over others. There’s no escaping this, and my first spiritual teacher told me that this world was all about “power” and learning to use it wisely. This had a big impact on me.

I often hear that violence leads nowhere, but this is untrue. Violence always leads somewhere; usually to more of the same. The father who had a bad day yells at the child who turns around and kicks the dog that runs out and bites someone else. It never stops. Or does it?

I remember watching a group of inner-city kids taunting a dog that was tied up while the owner was shopping in a store. Noel and I were very upset by the violence of that moment, but what could be done? I was older and bigger, so I could have gone up and yelled at them. I was also seriously outnumbered, and what would that have accomplished? They were obviously already upset in the first place, and I had no interest in addressing violence in a way that might lead to even more in the future. In the end, I simply got up and walked over to pet the dog and knelt by its side. This action broke the chain of events, and the youth were unwilling to continue to abuse the animal while I was next to it. Without uttering a word, and with no violence in my thoughts or actions, the situation was resolved. It just dissipated, and the action left no trace.

The lessons I’ve learned through T’ai Chi Chih have caused countless shifts in my life. I’ve come to discover a deep reservoir of feeling and “inner strength.” Unlike physical strength or violence, these will never fail, and this inner strength has led to stillness. Not inactivity, but deep stillness that is working to permeate my thoughts and actions. It is not a matter of trying to avoid acting on violent thoughts or tendencies. The karma is still created! Of course, there are situations that require action, but I simply rest in the still center, and recognize the proper time and place to make the appropriate statement (or action). The anger and violence are an unnecessary liability; they’re no longer needed.

The way to cultivate inner strength is by learning to “let go” in T’ai Chi Chih practice. It begins by releasing this tension in the knees, waist, wrists, and so forth. This doesn’t happen by accident, but rather, by a choice. I tell new teachers that softness is a decision we make over and over and over in our practice, and it brings great inner strength to our lives. As one friend stated recently, “Softness holds great strength…more than I ever realized.”

It is only through the stillness discovered within that we feel our connection with the Chi, and through it, to everyone and everything around us. When we lack a connection with life, we are filled with doubt and concern, and feel the need to control situations. Through T’ai Chi Chih, we realize our connection with all of life, and allow it to unfold and make itself known to us. This leads to Prajna, the inherent wisdom of the Chi that can only be found within. Without trying to control it, we find that life seems to teach us and respond to subtle suggestion. We discover a way to thrive without struggle, and our needs are easily met. This is what Justin Stone calls “Entering the Cosmic Rhythm” and it is the essence of his teaching.