Embracing the Moon (and Justin)

I haven't blogged about the fact that Justin Stone, the Originator of T'ai Chi Chih (who lived here in ABQ, NM for many years) died recently (3.28.2012) I wasn't close to him, like my teachers Rhonda and Carmen, but I had a lot of respect for his work and the fact he was astoundingly healthy and active into his 90s. That alone is a tremendous testament to the value of his short form of T'ai Chi.

One of his aides and publisher of his books and multi media (Kim at Good Karma Publishing) extended an offer for some of us to submit a piece for a memorial booklet. I'm not sure if mine will be included, but I sent in the following with the photo of my TCC journal:

I discovered T’ai Chi Chih the way I’m sure many others did, thanks to Carmen Brocklehurst’s teachings on KNME (our local PBS TV.) When I went to the TCC Center to study and practice, I met Justin, the originator of TCC, and knew we were blessed to have such an amazing resource right here in our midst. So for Justin’s 85th birthday, I wrote a piece called “Embracing the Moon.” It was part poem, part prose. Justin liked it enough to send me a postcard and comment on it. I have kept that card (shown here) along with another featuring Justin’s original art “Lover and Beloved” in my “yin/yang” T’ai Chi Chih journal since 2001.
The photo is one we called “Master and Students” that I shot in March 2008, at a TCC retreat in ABQ. At 91, Justin was still teaching and correcting our movements and when he told his stories, we all sat mesmerized.

Justin’s Heightened Awareness book (© Good Karma Publishing, 1988/1994) begins with a quote about the moon: “No matter how small the drop of water, it reflects the entire moon.” It was the first book I read of Justin’s and it inspired my piece. I would like to include a brief excerpt of my article here:

“The moon is simply the moon--an orb in the sky, but from our perspective its form is constantly changing. We watch the moon wax and wane, yin and yang, from fullness to a sliver of new moon; a graceful, cyclical, circular, ever-changing process. We embrace that motion in Tai Chi Chih!

Justin tells a story of a time while he was in the far East. Zen monks invited him to stay and sit zazen (in meditation) with them. Justin noticed the sun was setting and he had a long way to travel. He told the monks he felt he should leave while there was still daylight. An old monk, the Master, told him not to worry, to stay and sit. "After all," the master said, "the moon gives light too."

Moonlight is soft, reflective light. Like the moon, I am a reflection of All That Is. I am learning to embrace the moon. Today, after seeing you, Justin, at the Center for practice, I thought of this Haiku for your birthday:

Fall moonlight is soft,
reflective of All That Is.
We embrace the Moon.”

I have many delightful memories of Justin talking, sharing his “stories of the East”, and thankfully we have his books, tapes, CDs and DVDs to always gently remind us of our path and practice. Whenever I see the moon, Justin, I will think of you and that soft reflective light. Namaste Justin!