Sublime Moments

There we were, staring at the horizon from the top of Cadillac Mountain, located in Acadia National Park in Maine. It was 4:40AM. We had made the trek to the top of this eastern most peak of the United States to get a unique view of the morning sunrise. We waited with anticipation.

The crowd cheered when the first sliver of light appeared, then stood silent for an ascent that was unhurried and majestic. There was a feeling of connectivity to this daily event as we witnessed it anew. I suddenly felt the need to play the T’ai Chi form. Was I indulging myself?

I did not care who noticed. I did not concern myself with what they might think. Instead, I surrendered to an overwhelming feeling of connectivity and power. It was the grand ultimate, the power of nature – and it was sublime.

Look at a potted flower and you see beauty. But what is beauty?  Beauty is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as: The aggregate qualities of a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses. So, beauty is satisfying on some level, but it is relative. It is based on an opinion, because each of us sense and interpret the world differently.

Contrast viewing that potted flower with standing in the presence of nature: a sunrise, the ocean, or the giant redwoods, for example.  Nature grants you the sublime.  “To convert into something of higher worth” is the Merriam-Webster definition.  Something that is sublime then, goes beyond itself.

This was touched on by Joseph Campbell in an excerpt from his book, “Reflections on the Art of Living”.  In it he wrote: “The less there is of you, the more you experience the sublime.” The power and grace of nature subdues us. It reduces our ego.  Connecting with natural surroundings provides an opportunity to experience the sublime. 

We also have an opportunity to go beyond our self by learning to experience our inner nature.  This is one of the most valuable results achieved with dedicated T’ai Chi instruction and practice.   The quality of training and practice will determine if you will realize beauty, or the sublime.  The key is to immerse yourself into the experience. 

There are many books written about T’ai chi. One can learn the movements by reading along and following the pictures. But the books were intended to document, not entirely instruct. Books are valuable tools to assist, but one must not get caught up in words and images.  Words are our best attempt to intellectualize, but they are not completely accurate. The word box is not a box, for example.

Words form a basis of perception through memory and association. Past experiences or the intense flow of mediated messages influence a perception that is not aligned with self-nature. It creates a false or inaccurate view of the world.  Words reflect an opinion or perception, but not reality.  The same can be said for images, too.

Watching someone do T’ai Chi or Qigong in exotic location can have a certain level of benefit.  It is a good doorway to learn or be inspired to learn T’ai Chi.  It might be beautiful too, but it is not enough to bring you to the transcendent. This can only be obtained through your own experience, as guided by master teachers. 

T’ai Chi reveals the truth of action. The subtle and complex structure of each form requires relaxation, concentration, coordination and attention to detail.  The conscious mind is engaged in the smooth execution of the sequence within a strict criterion, which reduces or eliminates the ego.  The mind and its perceptions are subjugated to the physical form in motion, which unlocks the potential of the subconscious, spirit, or soul.

In Yang Jwing Ming’s interpretations of the Dao De Jing, he explains how by keeping “…your mind humble and empty, your heart will be opened and allow for more manifestations.”  He goes on to write:

“…while physical life originates from the spiritual world, its function is to express the potential for spiritual manifestation in the material world.”

The T’ai Chi form connects our physical and spiritual selves as a complete realization.  Through that relationship, the Dao – the great mystery of life, becomes an experienced moment. We connect to the heightened power of the natural world. Truth. The sublime.  The Grand Ultimate. 

About the Author: Bill Donnelly is a rare combination of entrepreneur/artisan, adept at building on strength and bringing a creative approach to modern real world life and business challenges. He is a 7th generation lineage holder of Choi Li Fut Kung Fu and has over 20 years of experience practicing and teaching Yang T’ai Chi. Bill has presented lectures, demonstrations, workshops and lessons at world T’ai Chi events, associations, not for profits, networking and education events.  Bill is also an accomplished New York musician, drummer for artists in the world of Rock, Jazz, Funk, World and Fusion music.  Visit him at www.privatetaichi.net.    

Please visit www.VioletLiTaiChi.com for more articles on Tai Chi, Qigong, and healing arts. Share the article on your social media to raise the awareness of the art. Thanks!