What’s LOVE Got To Do With It?

How many times have you put on the CD, Justin Stone Speaks, to soak in the teaching, get saturated in the T’ai Chi Chih way? If you are like me, the part at the end where Justin quotes the Lotus Sutra, “From the state of emptiness, man’s body is a body filling the universe, man’s voice is a voice pervading the universe, man’s life is a life without limit,” gives you chills. In Eastern spiritual speak we are getting a “transmission” from Justin.

What does this have to do with 2018 teacher conference in Philadelphia? A great deal. Consider Philadelphia’s history: William Penn, born into a wealthy family in England, a student of Oxford, gets the spiritual bug that leads him to become a Quaker. He wants peace and friendship; his ideals (circa 1682) get him kicked out of Oxford and sent to prison.

Fortunately, the king commissions William to take a ship to the New World to found a colony based upon freedom of religion. That place was Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love”. If it hadn’t been for the king owing Penn’s father a big favor, Penn would not have made it to the site of our next conference.

Penn had some major protection going: from his father, from the king and, most definitely, from the Universe. Yet, his seeking spirit led him to become more than he appeared to be.

“What’s love got to do with it?” sang Tina Turner, a practicing Buddhist. Take a look at the Philadelphia LOVE icon, the symbol for the conference. Tucked into the O is a yin/yang sign. We will yin and yang in the first capitol of the United States, the home of the Declaration of Independence.

The love generated during TCC practice is shared by all. Someone new to TCC feels it the moment he starts moving. Or she may feel it from being in the field of others moving. At the end of the day, no one has more love than anyone else. We all share it. That’s the emptiness we talk about. The more we move we can empty, the more we can feel the love. It is always there. We have to open up to it. Tina figured this out in her own way.

Philadelphia is known for its Liberty Bell, which received its crack when it was cast in England in 1751. It’s fair to say that many of us feel cracks despite our best efforts – to practice, be of service. I imagine that bell perfectly aligned, with all of us flowing around it, allowing the sound to pervade us. We become the sound that fills the universe. The emptiness in the Lotus Sutra brings us to love; we forget about the cracks or, better yet, we absorb them.

Nine Reasons to Attend the 2018 TCC Teacher Conference

July 26-29, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Flowing From Emptiness

1) Justin: We honor Justin’s vision of creating a global, ever-expanding and inclusive T’ai Chi Chih community that comes together annually.

2) Mentoring: We need you. Through sharing experiences and wisdom, we encourage, support and inspire each other. We become refueled with enthusiasm.

3) Reunion: Sacred bonds are formed during accreditations, retreats, Intensives and classes. Take time to be together; enjoy each other and raise your vibration.

4) Growth: The synergy of blended ideas when we gather will renew your outlook for growth when you return home.

5) Unity: We feel more wholeness and balance when we come together as a group.

6) Joy: We celebrate unique experiences both large and small by sharing stories from our individual corners of life.

7) Emptiness: Consider and release habit energies disguised as judgments and expectations in order to enhance Flowing from Emptiness with an unhindered mind.

8) Sound Healing: Experience an amazing concert that grounds, uplifts and transcends the mundane.

9) Community: This is the only TCC event in which you can meet, learn and practice with such a large group of teachers coming together as one TCC lovin’, like-minded community. Find complete conference registration information at taichichih.org/conference-2018.