Tai Chi
Going to the Movies
The extra large curtain circled the room creating a dark and mysterious presence, dominating the view by its size, but its specifics were difficult to pick out and understand. A friend had said, “Come and see; you’ll enjoy the experience, and it will be good for you!” At the starting time, a voice was heard explaining this was an ancient curtain telling a great story, which would be revealed slowly, through light, to each person at his/her own pace.
The voice added there was another curtain around each person; it looked familiar to us. The voice, however, indicated that much was going on behind this curtain. We were to look through while noticing and feeling what was happening! Amazing!, I wasn’t used to looking through this curtain; I usually just took what was beyond for granted. Relaxation was said to help. Already a calmness filled not only each person but seemed to spread to all. The voice continued drawing attention to the action inside as the body moved. I need to absorb and understand! The meaning of the big curtain is still a mystery, yet a bit was revealed about it as well. This story is complicated! There is hope; at least the movie is showing three times a week.
Wow, the light is a bit brighter, the voice still uses some foreign sounding words but a little more is understood of their meaning. Gradually we expand our experiential learning, not only discovering specifics within but also that there are connections between parts! The movie is becoming clearer! The relation to the curtain begins to make sense with the increased light within us and on the curtain. Yet, there is always more to understanding this movie.
Something from within seems to extend deep into the earth and shoot up toward heaven. In life can one be connected to both rather than floating between? We discover progressions of movement within, instigated by the breath; patterns develop, a mathematical experience of circles, and spirals is created. All this from one movie?!
Now, here is another character! A feeling has been revealed; is this flow the magical chi? Now that I know it is available, how do I make use of it in every day life? I’m curious; I’ll just have to keep going to the movies!
P.S. Ssh! Here is a secret! Anyone can take home their curtain for investigation, and one can learn about the big curtain from books! Isn’t that remarkable!
Jean Hughes
Nov. 14, 2008