Worship & TCC

I invited students to send their thoughts about what T’ai Chi Chih means to them following a class I teach at a local church. For my church’s monthly newsletter, I wanted to include their responses in an article as part of an invitation to other church members to join the class. One response was impressive because it tied the experience of worship with the practice of TCC. I had never thought of this and considered it worth sharing, especially for those teaching in a faith group setting. Park Dodge, the writer and my student from Tupelo, graciously gave permission to use his words however it would be helpful for TCC classes:

“I come to TCC classes to enjoy the experience of moving my body through space and time, in rhythmic sync with other people around me. I like the thought and enjoy the feeling of coordinated, communal behaviors. TCC, very much like the call and response of our liturgical rhythms during worship, has this characteristic. We move and issue utterances in unison. Practices like this do not disadvantage us of our own individual personalities, styles and strengths, but rather they serve as an expression of the extraordinary, compounded and additional benefits that TCC offers – of balance, coordination, flexibility and focus. These are icing on the cake.

As those who have witnessed my participation in TCC can attest, I could use much additional practice in balance and coordination; I have a tendency to trip over my own shadow. Thankfully, Ron and the group are helping me to address this opportunity. Little do they realize the number of years required to bring me along.”

When I thanked Park for such an insightful response he added, “Thank you, not only for allowing me to participate with you and others in the class, but also for the request to put some thought into why. The practice of clarifying purposes is not something I do often enough. Your request, and the resultant clarity of purpose at which I arrived, further deepens my appreciation. Thank you for facilitating the practice for those of us who are able to attend. And thank you for being a dear friend.”