What Is It We Do As Teachers?

(Reprinted from The Vital Force, July 1992)

Reading articles I’ve written for The Vital Force in past years, and realizing Richard and I have been leading a TCC practice on Siesta Key Beach weekly since 1991, fills me with deep appreciation for Justin’s gift to the world and for The Vital Force that keeps us all connected. Following is an excerpt from the July 1992 issue:

“We reintroduce people to the realm of their own presence. We invite them to become again as little children and to take delight in the movement and aliveness of their own bodies, as we, too, experience the delight and aliveness of our own presence … We affirm for them that who they are is precious, that there is nowhere to go and nothing to do in order to recognize their own value, as we, too, realize our own precious value … We gather them together in an atmosphere of shared unity, we create an environment that enhances an experience of oneness, as we, too, embrace the oneness … We introduce them to these easy movements that carry them deep into the mystery of their being, as, we, too, allow ourselves to enter ever more deeply into our own mystery … We hold open a space of love, quietly, with our own center … We remind them to breathe, in and out, as we, too, become present in our breathing and in our body … We speak of and demonstrate continuous circles, encouraging them to allow the movement to flow, as we, too, surrender to the circular movement that has no beginning and no end … We offer them softness, and stillness within motion, as we, too, soften into the stillpoint of our own lives … We show them how they stand between heaven and earth, as we, too, take our place with fullness and joy.”

At our weekly beach practice, student appreciate the setting as well. “I’ve been experiencing TCC on the beach with Richard and Diana for 20 years,” said Maia Shafer. Watching the sun set while meditating with gentle movements rejuvenates my mind, body and spirit.”

“If I had to choose a word to describe performing TCC on Siesta Key Beach at sunset, I would say ‘enchanting,’” said Philippe Blanc. “The harmonious gestures lead gradually to a let-go while you admire the glorious colors of the sunset and listen to the gentle murmur of the surf.”