When aligned with my spine my gaze flows as light
from a lighthouse along the horizon

peaceful, thoughts at rest
I feel more centered in a tranquil heart

a softness within the eyes helps me to see further
than the tip of my nose

slowly, I am learning to watch where I go.

-Laure

Reading the reflections from my fellow participants from around the world makes me feel like I am at the international center, having heartfelt conversations and sharing memories with friends. My heart, my mind and my world expand with each letter. Each story helps me to understand his teachings more and express myself better.

~Kadriye

Last fall, I was asked to lead an LIT session. I felt very agitated inside. The group included several long-time participants, Branch Council members and experienced leaders in training. It was also a session I attended before the pandemic. How was I going to address these people who have been practicing Taoist Tai Chi® arts for twenty or thirty years, when I only began this practice a few years ago? 

I felt out of place, but I had to dive in and quickly pull myself together. Instead of cluttering the session with my discomfort, I needed to let go and allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of the practice itself. I then remembered that when someone is given a responsibility, it is to provide them with new learning opportunities and to allow them to expand their vision by getting them to see things from another perspective. It was the opportunity to practice letting go of my own self: it’s not about me.

By the third time, I took time to settle down and dust myself off before going into the session. How can I best help the group? Formulating the question completely reversed my perspective on the situation. Guiding this experienced group was actually a gift. Instead of seeing the vast experience of the participants as something intimidating, it was more beneficial to see it as a help. Changing perspective was not just about changing my place in the room (sic).

By changing my mindset, I was able to see the bright side of the coin. I have become aware of the importance of taming my heart to let go of worries and allow Master Moy’s teachings to flow; let them do their work. I perceive the opening of the heart as a door through which they pass. When trust is becoming palpable in the room, I feel that his teachings flow through our heart-to-heart connections. There seems to be permanent communicating vessels in all directions. It is together that we transform. 

~Laure 

Individually we are softer
Together we are stronger
And being stronger makes us softer
because we don’t need to fight 
It is an inner strength
That is the power of the softness
~Ghislaine

At a recent Taoist Tai Chi® arts virtual meeting, one of our directors told a little story that caught my attention. He was saying how Master Moy had taught one participant to serve tea. The person had served tea to all the guests at the beginning of the meal. Mr. Moy drank his tea quickly and waited for his cup to be refilled. He repeated this little scenario a few more times. It was his way of teaching, without words.

At my house, when someone is thirsty, they help themselves and make the rounds at the same time. You don’t have to make sure the teacups are always full. If you are no longer thirsty, you don’t think about refilling the cups of the other guests.

The Chinese tradition is that the youngest person in the group serves the tea. I had learned about this at a regional weekend program. So, I served tea to the people present, then to the people who were added to the table and I ate my meal with them, without thinking of refilling their cups.

When I heard this little story, I felt very uncomfortable. Why didn’t people tell me to serve them again? Probably because there is no written rule about how to take care of others. As with all the virtues that are part of our values, the virtue of propriety is learned through observation and practice. I am learning.

~Christine