by Joe Karner and Lila Zitouni
The Teaching Master Moy shared with us is a special gift that we can all partake in. Through sharing and supporting one another, we learn to develop its gentle and special meaning within ourselves.
A mother and daughter had been coming to our small local Tai Chi class to learn and practice together as a family. Today, the daughter came and shared the sad news that her mother had just passed away at the local hospice. She said her mother had been ill for quite some time but always wanted to keep coming with her daughter to every Tai Chi class for as long as she could. We realized then the reason we had not seen either of them in class for quite some time.
The daughter told us that her mother loved Tai Chi. During her final days, she would constantly talk about it to the family, and would often do the foundation movements, even from her bed. The family said they had no idea how much the Tai Chi had always meant to her. They were very grateful that their mother could turn to and find comfort from this gift during her final days. With true grace while on her private journey, her mother had even given Friends of Tai Chi a lovely thank you card at the start of class. It was a beautiful heartfelt moment for her daughter to learn of this expression of gratitude towards Tai Chi from her mother.
A Gift from Heaven. To find strength and comfort during the most difficult time of life, to reduce suffering, and to be less of a burden on others. This is what the Art of Tai Chi offers us. An improved quality of life, regardless of the time we have been given. Let us each always practice with a sense of gratitude, knowing we are fortunate to have found this Teaching, each other, and our special Teacher Master Moy Lin-shin.
Translation by Jordi Awarita and Cathy Filion
Very touching to hear a story such as this! Life is fragile, and special at the same time isn’t it.
A true blessing to all of us who share in this amazing practice!
What a beautiful story.