What Will Be Your Possibilities & Opportunities In 2010?

January 1 is the date we assign as the New Year 2010. It is the threshold upon which we stand with 365 days of unlimited possibilities and opportunities before us.

It was two years ago about this time, on the first Sunday of January, that I was invited to present the “sermon,” as I’ll call it, to the members of a small country church in the western part of New Jersey. It was planned for the service of the Unitarian Universalist Church community. The invitation to me was to present an opportunity for “change” in the New Year that went beyond any of the usual resolutions that are made with good intentions only to fall by the wayside a few weeks later. So there I was among 60 or so members for the first service of the New Year. The members were looking forward to hearing about T’ai Chi Chih as their Minister had taken the beginner’s class and was very excited about the form and the benefits he received from it.

When it was time for the homily, I had the sense that I was giving my presentation for Teacher Training all over again, and it was a wonderful feeling. So I began with a movement – nine to the left and nine to the right, which always feels like a mini eternity. Next, the introduction about TCC, what it is and what it does.

I talked about Justin, the originator. I shared what TCC had (and is) doing for me and various ways it has helped others. Another movement was demonstrated, followed by an invitation to join me if any one wished to do so. Suddenly everyone rose spontaneously as though directed by some invisible inner desire that needed to try one of the movements. People were moving in pews, in aisles, even joining me around the sanctuary. Everyone settled into his or her space and into the rest pose. Felt the soles of their feet. Realized the present moment while they quieted their minds and softened their bodies. Those seated moved rhythmically along with all those on their feet. Moving softly through very heavy air… letting go of any tension… flowing softly with no effort.

And so we went Around the Platter and its variation, then traced an imaginary Bass Drum… returning to the rest pose in between each set, returning to the soles of the feet in inner and outer silence and tranquility. Push Pull, Pulling in the Energy… forward and backward again and again as arms traced appropriate circular directions through the air. Cosmic Consciousness Pose was the favorite – just the name is so universal and all encompassing. Our time concluded with being aware of the inner feeling left by the form as all sat in silence for several moments.

Retelling brings me back to this experience that began as a possibility then evolved into an opportunity for myself and for those attending the service that morning. My memory is flooded with many opportunities over the years, such as a Spirituality Convocation at a Catholic college that invited me several years in a row to present TCC during the mid-morning and afternoon breakout sessions. Participants pre-registered for each session that only lasted 45 minutes and had as many as 90 participants. Over the years I’ve met individuals who tell me that they still practice those five or six movements learned at that time on a regular basis.

These are not only amazing opportunities for us as teachers to spread the word about TCC, but we have a unique gift to share with the world that which provides inner peace and outer change. Give yourselves the possibility of offering free presentations when and wherever you can. The unique gift goes both ways.

xxxx