Climb the Joyous Mountain

Already a week has passed since our last T'ai Chi Chih class. Tomorrow we meet again! Summer is whooshing by and tomorrow's class session will bring us to our halfway point. Where oh where does the time go?

I spent a few hours this evening reading through the May 2012 Vital Force Journal which was dedicated to Justin Stone after his death on March 28 (at age 96). Teacher after teacher wrote the journal to express their gratitude to Justin for creating, teaching, and sharing this special form of moving meditation. So many of us have benefited immensely from learning and regularly practicing TCC. But do we remember to express our gratitude for this life-changing and life-enhancing Chi-filled practice?

Justin writes in Climb the Joyous Mountain: Living the Meditative Way:

To live each day with some contemplation, and to try to feel grateful for the really countless blessings we take for granted, will lead us to treat others as we wish to be treated.
     From: The Vital Force, May 2012, p. 8

Tonight's practice--though mosquito-enhanced--was a wonderful reminder that what I do daily (my T'ai Chi Chih practice) brings me innumerable benefits, not the least of which is peacefulness.... Thank you, Justin Stone.

As Justin counsels: "All one can do is bring the palms together in a salute to all beings. May they lose the attachment that makes for suffering. Life can be good -- if we plant the proper seeds. The way of joy is best. Climb the Joyous Mountain." (The Vital Force, May 2012, p. 8)