Why Must TCC Teachers Understand the “Grounding of Chi” Principle?

Justin always emphasized “grounding the Chi.” In his first Photo Textbook, he said to hold the close position between each movement for 15 to 20 seconds. His was a substantial grounding: Watch his DVD. You see the same grounding principle when lightening strikes a grounding rod: the lightning hits it, the electricity travels down the rod, and is “grounded” in the Earth. In T’ai Chi Chih (TCC), we ground the circulating Chi each time we hold the close position, and the result is a sense of health and well-being.

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience, first-hand, why many people are afraid of Chi circulating disciplines. I attended a Tibetan Buddhist class, led by a Tibetan lama, who spoke little English. His translator, a Tibetan, was a young man who practices Tibetan Buddhist meditation. The focus of the class was on meditation and the Buddhist practices of mindfulness. I asked: “Would it be helpful for us meditation students to also practice a T’ai Chi discipline, which circulates and balances the Vital Energy in the body?” (I knew they would not recognize Justin’s form, so used the term “T’ai Chi.”)

I received the following responses: The Tibetan lama said that he does not practice T’ai Chi, nor would he recommend it as it can be overwhelming unless studied under the guidance of a Master. The Tibetan translator said, “There is too much wind in T’ai Chi. It can cause great neurosis in the practitioner.” One of the sangha members said, “T’ai Chi is dangerous; I have seen people end up in wheelchairs for six months after practicing it.”

I wrote to the host of the event and told her: “I have taught T’ai Chi Chih for 24 years, and I have seen my students cancel hyper-thyroid surgeries, cease suffering from migraines, panic attacks, balance problems, and more, but I have never once seen a TCC student suffer from neurosis or physical harm from TCC practice.”

I want to thank Justin for creating the TCC teacher training process, which now includes participating in an intensive, wherein TCC students learn the importance of grounding the circulating Chi. Every teacher prep student should be required to read Justin’s Photo Textbook, watch his DVD, and read his Spiritual Odyssey, which describes the philosophical underpinnings of TCC. We owe it to our students.