Vital Force Greatest Hits: Excerpts from Justin (February 2021)

Becoming
Nothing is in a state of Being; everything is in a state of Becoming (from one point of view). T’ai Chi Chih can greatly influence that path of Becoming. – Winter 1988

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Sitting Quietly
I like Paul Reps’ idea of sitting quietly for five minutes (better make it ten) each day and just allowing yourself to receive. No thinking, no technique, no mantra repetition, no watching the breath, but just sitting quietly in a chair. In Japan this would be known as Shikan Taza, or just sitting. The great artisans of the past often did this before starting on some work, such as making a tea bowl or a samurai sword. In fact, today, many dress in formal style, hat on head, while doing creative work – I have seen them. It is my feeling that ten minutes of quiet and receiving, plus T’ai Chi Chih practice, may be enough. It is so easy to relax and do nothing, though sitting with the back straight, it may become difficult. We have our worries to agonize over, and besides, we get fidgety. Therefore it might be good to do it after a little TCC movement. You may receive more than you bargained for. – March 1992

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Tension
As T’ai Chi Chih teachers, we watch the wrists and the waist to see if there is tension (and the Chi can’t flow) or softness and relaxation. – Spring 1989

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Rewards of T’ai Chi Chih Practice
When the Chi circulates and is in balance, we can approach Oneness (Unity). Is it possible to attain Oneness? Yes! The very nature of Reality is Joy! Hakuin, the great Zen Master said, “After this Enlightenment, observing the things of the world was like seeing the back of my own hand!”

The rewards of T’ai Chi Chih practice can be great. A TCC teacher who does not practice regularly however, is a fraud – one who can make the outside appearance but manifests none of the inside. Each teacher who radiates, inspires his or her pupils. One with all Life, healing through Joy! – Spring 1985

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Change
The truth is, people don’t want to give up their habitual way of thinking and responses, even when they know it makes them unhappy. For this reason reformers and missionaries are wasting their time. Though to give people means for evolving, such as T’ai Chi Chih and meditation, when they ask for it, is certainly not a waste. Nothing helps individuals evolve more than these two activities, and as they evolve, their thinking and habit patterns will change. – September 1991

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Three Steps on the Way
In my view, there are three things to be done (or realized): To recognize, deeply feel and accord with Impermanence. Then, and only then, is it possible to find out Who and What we are (transcending Impermanence). Finally, after realizing the above two, to go into the marketplace and work with people. This is “merging Sense with Essence.” From my standpoint, these are the three steps on the Way. Techniques will vary, but the objectives are the same. And, in these ways, we transcend greed, anger and delusion. Eternity is in this moment. – March, 1992

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Why? Why Not?
One time some students from out-of-town came to visit me. After doing some T’ai Chi Chih together, the conversation became more general. As is usual, someone asked about reincarnation (a bad term).

I pointed at the trees in the courtyard. “It is autumn now, so the leaves are falling from the trees,” I explained, “but they will be back in the Spring. Is that what you mean by reincarnation?”

“Oh, those will be different leaves!” they rushed to point out.

“Why identify with the leaves?” I asked. “Why not identify with the tree?” – Spring 1986